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In this episode, Angela and Brian share the very real dangers of telling people too much in your memoir, how it might affect the people you write about, and how it can affect you financially down the road if you get sued for libel, defamation, or invasion of privacy. Angela and Brian also discuss some high-profile lawsuits that resulted from famous authors’ books, and two interesting examples from authors they know.

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT ATTORNEYS AND NOTHING WE SAY IS LEGAL ADVICE. If you have specific questions about your situation, contact an attorney. That said, we have tons of experience vetting manuscripts, and being able to find red flags that might cause authors problems later. We’ve also heard countless horror stories over the years about this topic. 

Links referenced in this episode:

• Don’t Invite a Lawsuit with Your Memoir – by Angela Hoy (this article mentions the father whose daughter threatened to sue him)
• The release we discussed, for people mentioned in your book, is in this article: Don’t Invite Lawsuits by Real People Featured in Your Book! (Hint: You Can Still Be Sued Even If You Don’t Name Them!)
• Why Some Authors Need Lawyers
• Brian’s memoir: Blue Lives Matter: The Heart Behind the Badge
• We forgot to mention Angela’s book, which is part memoir: The Emergency Divorce Handbook for Women. She wrote it under her real name, changed the names of her first husband and his family members, and she did not get sued. Angela gives the ebook away for free to those in need during such a trying time. You only need to Contact Her to request a free copy.
• Attorney Contance Briscoe, the author of UGLY and BEYOND UGLY, was sued by her mother. Incidentally, she was later disbarred for an unrelated matter.
• ‘The Help’ Spawns A Lawsuit And A Question: How Much Borrowing Is Fair?
• ‘Running with Scissors’ Author Settles Suit with Therapist’s Family
• Statutes of Limitations for defamation by state.
• CONFESSION: Um, I’m Kind of Addicted to the Johnny Depp Defamation Trial…
• What did Amber Heard’s Washington Post op-ed actually say?
• Publishing Other People’s Non-fiction Stories Can Get You Sued!
• Want to Get Sued? Write About Your Ex!
• Am I at Risk of Being Sued?
• Did Your Lawyer Say, “You Can’t Be Sued?” BEWARE!
• BookLocker.com has been in business for more than 25 years, has an excellent reputation, and is located in the U.S.
• WritersWeekly.com’s articles, marketing secrets, paying markets for writers, and freelance job listings.