Oh, and Gus, don't normally remember authors by publisher - but Eric Flint has done some really good stuff at BAEN. Bujold has alread been mentioned as good company. Seem to remember they have a board call Baen's Bar or some such.

Allyson, short quotes from published prose works (posting on internet including boards counts as publication) is fair use. What is a "short quote" in this context is unfortunately not as simple as a word count - though often some arbitrary word cutoff is used as proxy. Most of the legal texts give word counts that can be used for practical purposes with various numbers. Ask your publisher which they use. If they tell you that there is no such thing as fair use, several lawyers have told that at the moment yes there is. Using an entire work does not meet that standard, and it is true to some extent for poetry and lyrics, but for prose short quotes are still kosher.

Allyson, what TB said. Also, have a look at the source boards from which you got your quoted material. Is there a disclaimer of any kind on the FAQ or home page for any of them? You know, something like "All participants in this forum understand and agree to open and free use of their material" or, maybe, just the opposite?

Because some boards have them, and some don't.

Ah. But let's say it's someone's entire internet post.

I include entire posts from both Joss and Tim, for example.

I have both Godwin's Law and Snacky's Law included. I wouldn't know how to get in touch with either of them.

kicks internet

Folk here can get you in touch with Snacky, I'm pretty sure. But, ex cloaca, I doubt you need to get permission to reprint a law.

No, I'm with ita. And if Tim and/or Joss are giving you blurbs from the book, it's a safe bet they aren't going to piss or moan about a post. Besides, hasn't Tim already read his bit?

Joss refused me a blurb. Yes, I shook my tiny fist of rage Brentwoodly.

Are Joss and Tim the only public figures you quote? If so, just as a CYA thing you might ask for a release from them, and I expect they'd give it to you with no problems.

I think both would release them. I have a smaller quote from a work, but I think it's so tiny it'd fall under fair use. I'll ask the editor about it.

Then there's Godwin and Snacky. I found a way to get in touch with Godwin, now I just need to find Snacky.

The Anonymous posts in my LJ, I suspect, fall under fair use because there is no way I can find those people.

Then there's Godwin and Snacky. I found a way to get in touch with Godwin, now I just need to find Snacky.

I bet Suela could hook you up.