Can I safely publish?

[Flyingembers]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? California

I have written a Firefighting oriented novel based on real life events and people.
Am I in dangerous legal waters if I reveal embarrassing facts about people and events involving them, even if I change their names and use fictious company names for which they worked?
Do I need their (unobtainable) authorization to tell their life stories?
I am told by my focus group that this will/is a hit and not to be surprised if "Oprah" talks about it on her show...apparently it's that good!
My readers tell me they find themselves laughing, cheering, feeling chills and crying...all in one sitting! I'm even excited!
Thanks

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? California

I have written a Firefighting oriented novel based on real life events and people.
Am I in dangerous legal waters if I reveal embarrassing facts about people and events involving them, even if I change their names and use fictious company names for which they worked?
Do I need their (unobtainable) authorization to tell their life stories?
I am told by my focus group that this will/is a hit and not to be surprised if "Oprah" talks about it on her show...apparently it's that good!
My readers tell me they find themselves laughing, cheering, feeling chills and crying...all in one sitting! I'm even excited!
Thanks

**A: I am excited also. Go for it. And have an attorney write the disclaimer for you.

 

[tigger22472]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? California

I have written a Firefighting oriented novel based on real life events and people.
Am I in dangerous legal waters if I reveal embarrassing facts about people and events involving them, even if I change their names and use fictious company names for which they worked?
Do I need their (unobtainable) authorization to tell their life stories?
I am told by my focus group that this will/is a hit and not to be surprised if "Oprah" talks about it on her show...apparently it's that good!
My readers tell me they find themselves laughing, cheering, feeling chills and crying...all in one sitting! I'm even excited!
Thanks

Well I heard of that once. An arson investigator wrote a book of fiction (a few even I think). He got his 'stories' from fire scenes and what not. Books did really well. He didn't get in trouble for it, he changed names slightly etc..

OH wait, he is in prison now because he was the person SETTING the fires he was investigating and put all kinds of information in his books!