Legal stuff - details in a book

Chris Dutton · Post by **Chris Dutton** » 13 Jan 2015, 15:40

My character in my book found himself needing to get out of a tangle today, and he's managed to make some small incendiary devices.

It set on Victorian times, so a bit of research into what would have been available, and me having a degree in chemistry, I cribbed something together. I've detailed the process, but honestly have no idea if it will work, will explode horribly, or burn very hotly. It's designed as the latter as a diversion.

Are there legal implications for detailing this? I.e. if some duff muck tried to recreate it, or if there was some kind of over zealous anti terror law? 2 of the 3 ingredients are not readily available, but are probably not difficult if you tried a little.

Just a thought!

TLGabelman · Post by **TLGabelman** » 13 Jan 2015, 16:44

I dont think you need to worry, maybe just make up a fake ingredient to add and then you really have nothing to fear

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 15 Jan 2015, 19:48

Being a former chemistry major myself, I understand your concern. I'd strongly recommend against actually listing the compounds needed. I'd improvise, as was suggested, make up a different compound or make up a Victorian name like "Essence of Mercury" or "Distillation of Rosewood" or something equally poetic.

Of course, when your novel is purchased and published, the publisher will run the book through the legal department to vet the contents, such as possibly impugning the name of a famous family or listing the real ingredients for an explosive, whatever. Occasionally, for example, you'll be writing a modern setting book and will make up a character name, but that character will just happen to be a famous attorney or whatever. So your editor will ask you to change the name.

One of my favorite police thrillers is the superb "Demolition Angel" by Robert Crais. It tells of the LA bomb squad and a detective for the squad, and her search for a serial bomber/killer. I highly recommend the book as a taut, smart, and top notch crime novel, but in the preface, Robert Crais says that he consulted the real bomb squad and altered the ingredients of the explosives from real to not so real.

So you may wish to do this yourself.