DEFAMATION

A written or spoken injury to the reputation of a living person or organization. If what is said is true, it cannot be defamatory. Publishers are especially concerned your manuscript does not include defamatory statements that would put them in jeopardy of being sued. In the book contract, you will be asked to swear there are no defamatory statements included in the book, and if the publisher is sued because you lied about that or your defamatory statement was incorrect, you will hold the publisher blameless, and the cost of such a suit—if there is one—will fall on you. For an extensive list of frequently asked questions about defamation and other related legal situations, go to: http://www.chillingeffects.org/defamation/faq.cgi.