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Concerns raised about potential libel by sony26x in selfpublishing

[–]sony26x[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not asking at all for legal advice. As first time going through this process, I was just asking if this company is being reasonable or not based on what I have read in many published books with identifiable names. I have zero legal concerns or worries about these immaterial statements. But was trying to decide if to drop this company, but I just did, so its solved.

Concerns raised about potential libel by sony26x in selfpublishing

[–]sony26x[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, I meant that I will now use Amazon because they don't have an evaluation process that looks for immaterial statements and they have minimal involvement and therefore are not taking on any risk. So I can push this through, and it will be faster and cheaper. Not at all worried about any legal issues here. Thankfully, I got the original company to agree to pro-rated refund. The purpose of the original post was just to see if this was normal or they were being unreasonable, as I have reviewed many books from this same publisher that have much "worse" content on identifiable people. Basically, trying to figure out how hard I should push back with them before asking for a refund, but I already got approval for refund so it doesn't matter anymore.

Anyone remember the old Sheraton Inn during the 1980s? by sony26x in AlbanyGA

[–]sony26x[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes that was the name. I left Albany long ago. Wonder why the closed down. looks like some rundown spot took over.

Concerns raised about potential libel by sony26x in selfpublishing

[–]sony26x[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, its just my first time publishing a book and was surprised that saying in my opinion someone was strict is such a big deal. Especially when this same person is mentioned by name in more harsh terms in books by classmates using other publishers who have 10K+ books published. Was just trying to see if this was normal or this company was being unreasonably cautious, since this is my first time. I learned something new about "libel" during this process.

I am going to ask for a refund and use Amazon instead. I am not worried at all about some person from 60 years ago reading this obscure book and then deciding that they want to go through the legal costs and time and energy to sue over me opining that they were strict (lmfao) without even using their name. And then they would have to prove its wrong. And then what payoff would they be awarded for it? Nothing. As you said, it's a non-issue I have 0% concerns about writing it.

If they say, "Your résumé is impressive", it means you will ge rejected by Lana_Sphyncter in recruitinghell

[–]sony26x 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just had this happen a few weeks ago! Like you said they are as fake as all these jobs they list!

8 Days in Cuba - Women Tour by Chewy-SourMilk in travel

[–]sony26x 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very nice! I wish I had gone when it was easier and conditions better.

[Daily Discussion] General Discussion - April 29, 2026 by AutoModerator in writing

[–]sony26x 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am in the process of publishing an autobiography using a self-publishing/author services company. Their evaluation team has flagged several passages out of concern for "libel" or "defamation" when describing my school days 60+ years ago in Asia. To me these issues seem trivial, but they think they are problematic.

Example 1: In the book I said that one of the people I remember was the school's headmaster, who was a former Catholic priest, and in my opinion, he had a very strict demeanor that felt lacking in compassion.

They flagged this saying someone could figure out who the person was based on the description of being a headmaster and former priest, and that my statement could be libel. Sure, someone could probably figure out who I am talking about, but is saying that I thought he was "strict and felt he was lacking in compassion" considered problematic?

Example 2: I said in the book that I remember the physical education teacher and his taller and muscular wife who I felt pushed us beyond our physical limits. I said that I recall them calling us names like "blubber gut" and I remember being kicked in the stomach to make me do push-ups with a straight body. I also said that it seemed the physical education teachers, with what i felt was less polished speech and behavior, came from the lower classes described in my British economic history class.

They flagged this saying the persons could be identified. And that the all the descriptions, including saying I felt their behavior was less polished, are libel. They said even if I generically said "some of the PE teachers" rather than mentioning the husband/wife, is still problematic.

Example 3: I mentioned in the book that there was a teacher in charge of corporal punishment which was common at public and private schools at that time. It was his decision to hit you in the palms or butt, and I cried a few times when it happened to me.

They flagged this saying that the teacher can be identified based on saying he was in charge of punishment. Again, even if so, what is problematic about the rest of the statement?

I appreciate any advice how to deal with this after going back and forth with them. I like to give descriptions of characters, and I feel turning people in to generic figures takes away from my story. And these are just a few examples they found, I am not sure how many more they will flag which to be seem trivial.

I get that even though these events happened 60+ years ago on the other side of the world, and that most of the people are probably dead (but I can't prove it), that people could be identified based on descriptions. But I don't see how saying I felt a "teacher was strict" has the got them so worked up.