nethawk

I`m just going through some last minute checkups on my manuscript prior to sending it out for evaluation by other authors/authorities who are willing to write its foreword and perhaps provide endorsements. But before I do, I just want to make sure I`m in the clear regarding giving credit to my sources.

Is permission required from a publisher if I`m summarizing someone else`s ideas from around four pages in a book down to one or two sentences - and these sentences have no similar structure and only one or two common theme words? I`m already citing the sources at the end of each section too (MLA style).

Also, some of the ideas I expand upon have only been mentioned in a single published source, so making reference to two or three other authors/sources to add weight to my arguments is impossible. As long as I present my own theories along with the paraphrased version of this source`s idea, is it ok to have a single source or reference?

Last question: what am I eating right now and what colour are my socks?

Thanks.

Anne Lacey

No idea about question one... Is it a non-fiction?

You're eating chinese and your socks are violently purple!

__________________
Anne Lacey
Wife to Joel, Mom to three lovely boys and expecting a little girl in January
"History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it." -Winston Churchill
"Live to the point of tears." -Albert Camus

nethawk

?

I was unaware of fiction requiring citations or quotes or permission. My bookis nonfiction.

And you`re half right about the last question.

FrankBlissett

Won't be able to answer this for sure till after the Davinci Code suit is settled.

As a general rule though, one does not have the rights to control ideas. For non-fiction though, it's usually considered good form and good research to at least cite sources. As you are already citing sources, I (personally) wouldn't see any problems.

-Frank