They were Emma. I had to go through about three different agencies, write to the University of Sawanee before I found someone who took my request seriously. Then the Faulkner Estate wanted to read the novel. I waited, and waited, and waited, and then, to my surprise, I got a very nice email of this man who looked after the media arm of the estate, giving me permission free of charge. All I have to do is supply the University of Sawanee library with three copies of the novel.

Well, my publisher was delighted, and not only because I kept them out of the loop and did all the leg work myself (something I actually enjoy doing). The University of Sawanee is one of North America's more famous art/creative colleges, so getting in there is apparently no mean feat. It's encouraging anyway.

JB

Congratulations JB!

Thanks for the info.

Brian.

JB - just for info - does the Faulkner Estate own or handle Williams's legacy?

Jim

I'm just reading a 'teen diary' style novel which seems to me extraordinarily similar to Adrian Mole. I don't mean that the author necessarily copied it on purpose - you know how often you can read a strong-voiced novel and then find yourself unknowingly writing in that style - and the author may even have meant it as an hommage. But the voice is identical, some of the characters and incidents are extraordinarily similar.
To me, this seems wrong, unless you put in some sort of a dedication to Sue Townsend, acknowledging the debt, because this book is directly competing with Adrian Mole. The thing is, I want to review the book. Could I get done for libel if I say that it's extremely similar to Adrian Mole? Does that count as an accusation of plagiarism even if I don't say so in those words?

Since, as Emma has said, it isn't breach of copyright to copy a format or ideas, or even to imitate a style or 'voice', this author, unless using Sue Townsend's words, is not acting illegally. So I don't think saying that the book is derivative in the way you point out could possibly be libellous - and more than a review saying a book is tedious rubbish, or riddled with cliches, or whatever.

Rosy.

I think there's a defence of 'fair comment' too, isn't there?

Emma

"Reminds me of the wonderful" is perhaps less provocative than "Extremely similar to".

The Faulkner Estate handle William's legacy. Williams, rather generously, left his legacy to the University of Sawanee in Tennessee.

JB

Thanks for the advice. I think you're right, Murphy!