When writing an auto-bio - do I HAVE to ask for EVERYONE mentioned in the book permission?

Question

Or is there a way around it?

Thing is some characters are shady, nasty and horrible and I would never ask their permission to use their names in the book because they would never agree - I would be airing their dirty laundry and exposing them to the rest of the world, where as they would rather remain scummy law breaking losers and be hidden from spot light.

I was going to simply change names around so none could be identified but would that be good enough?

I thought perhaps I would use my real name in the book as my real name is extremely unique and catchy and everyon else could have fake names to hide identities - by the time I finish the book there would have been many characters whose identity would need to remain anonymous so I figured I could give everyone different names -which I know can be done..

It is a tricky situation and I dont know much about it. How can I tell my story - which is yearning to be told and still protect all the bad guys reputations?

I dont want to keep them hidden behind fake names but it seems I have no choice. They have done so much to prevent my life going smoothly and now it seems, when I want to finally share this with the world, they still have power over me...

Its my life - they are the ones who have done wrong, terrible and unforgiveable things, so why should they be protected?

Why should I have to refrain from telling the truth and getting on with my life because they are shifty peices of work?

It doesnt seem fair..

Answer 1

I think you want to protect yourself from the "law breaking scum" by burying their identities very well, ESPECIALLY if you are going to use your own name, call it an autobiography, etc. 'Cause they'll know who they are, and sue you if at all possible, being the scum that they are. Folks are very litigious concerning their reputations and a possible way to make money.

It may seem unfair, but you want to protect yourself from more unruly behavior from them if at all possible... & YES, write your story, just bury those identities deep. I'm 'old' now, and still hanging on to some stories of my youth because of that very reason...I didn't bury identity enough. I'll wait. I'm still younger than the ones left. BWWWaahahahah!

Answer 2

I remember a friend from many years ago who was having marital problems. She was very unhappy, but instead of talking to a counselor, she confided in her friends. Eventually, she drove her friends away, because she was, of course, depressing to be around.
During that time, I had quit a relationship that had turned especially ugly at the end, and so I was more apt to listen to her sad story since I was feeling somewhat remorseful. Otherwise, I doubt that I would have been so supportive. At some point, however, during those times when she would call me or we would meet for lunch and she would relate her unfortunate situation, it sort of dawned on me that perhaps she wasn't looking at things in a more objective manner. I never really knew her husband so I couldn't know whether what she said was fair or not. She said a lot of unkind things about him. As far as I could tell, he was good provider for her and her three children, but one child contracted a serious illness of some sort and then the child had to stay in the hospital for a long time and then he died. The hospital bill was enormous and their insurance only covered so much and so she and her husband were forced into bankruptcy, as I recall. I guess that may have caused their relationship to deteriorate. In any case, good or bad or ugly...or somewhere in between, it goes without saying that you should make up the names of the people in your story to protect all parties concerned, if you plan to hopefully publish. HTH.

Answer 3

Even though i am writing fiction and u R writing non-fiction, u can certainly change everyone's names to made-up ones. No permission is required. It's funny, but U only have 2 ask permission if you R photographing, filming or tape recording their face and/or words

I believe the type of story where people try to guess who Mr. X and Mrs. Z really are, in real life, is called a "roman a clef," with an accent mark somewhere.

Answer 4

You don't have to ask permission from anyone. You are wise to change the names though. Remember, people percieve events that happen to them differently. You don't want to end up on the wrong end of a libel suit.

Answer 5

Jus change the names to protect the.... er.... innocent, guilty... whatever... only those who know them will know who they are.