by Vayle » Mon Oct 10, 2016 2:48 pm
I've written a book based on a true story. Just before going to print, my publisher said the creative non-fiction genre was not acceptable, and I was asked to fictionalize all the characters, places and events or terminate the contract. The story is about a family ripped apart by the pastor of their church. I fictionalized it. I previously promoted it as creative non-fiction based on a true story. Now that it's fiction, can I promote the book as such, but still say that it's based on a true story without libeling myself? All true events of the clergy misconduct were changed to similar acts of misconduct and not criminal or prosecutable, just in very bad taste. All mention of where this took place has been removed from the book. This is based on my co-author's true story, but fictionalized. Even though people know that the story is about his family, are we setting ourselves up for trouble by saying this a fictionalized account based on his true story?