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How do you cite a quote in your fiction
alhawke:
I'm quoting John Donne, a sixteenth century poet, in my new book. For those of you who've quoted writers, where do you guys place the source? Should I add it at the end of the book somewhere or on the same page as the quote (with a superscript #)??
Post-Crisis D:
Are you quoting with an attribution? Is it in dialogue? Is it to open a chapter? How is it used?
Depending on how exactly you are using it and incorporating it into your story, I wouldn't do a footnote on the same page as this is fiction, not non-fiction. A footnote or superscript would pull the reader out of the story. I'd identify the source in an acknowledgments chapter at the end of the book.
alhawke:
It's a single sentence from a poem being quoted by a witch in the story in dialogue. Do I even have to source it?
Post-Crisis D:
Unless it falls under some exception somewhere, it should be public domain. For something that old, you probably don't have to list the source. If there are different versions, then you may want to acknowledge which source you used in your acknowledgments.
You should credit the line to John Donne somewhere. Even though it is likely public domain, if you don't credit Donne somewhere, you could be accused of plagiarism which is a separate issue from copyright.
Bill Hiatt:
That's good advice. Always err on the side of caution.
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