A book that’s about people in rl

[EllieRigby]

I’m interested in views. I’ve written a non-fiction book based on some things that happened to me once. I started writing it as a sort of healing but kept going and now it’s a book. It also includes things about people in rl, most importantly a former friend who acted badly and does not look good in the book due to how they treated me.

Fast forward a bit and a publisher expressed interest in a chapter, and liked it so has asked to see more.

This is already further than I’d expected it would ever go. I was wondering at what point you’d contact the people mentioned in the book? I’m not quite sure what to do as one person I don’t much want to be in touch with at all.

As a note their names and key identifying details have been changed and if I ever did publish it would be under a pseudonym

Are the publishers aware that it's based on real life people and events? If so, I'd take their advice on if and how to tell anyone concerned.

I wouldn't imagine there's any legal obligation to let them know in advance (especially since you've changed all the names). But be aware that if they consider that you've libelled them, they do have the right to take legal action.

I think if you publish under another name and change their names and any other identifying details, you should be okay and don't need to explain anything to anyone.

Authors have to get inspiration from somewhere!

Tell the publisher. You’ll have to tell them the real story too, and how much your book is based on this person. The publisher will have to do a legal read, and may ask you to really change details so the person can’t be identified.