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Can you mention or reference Fairy Tales when writing a book?
Laly's Library
Apr 21, 2020 08:20PM
If I want to write a book where I might reference or mention a fairy tale is that allowed? Would it be considered plagiarizing or get me in trouble?
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Depends on the type of book. If you are writing an academic manuscript then yes you need to cite it- you are using it for intellectual discourse and need to provide a source so others can evaluate your logic.
If you are writing a fictional book, opinion or other non-academic literature then no you do not. If I say that my character was faced with the same obstacles of Odysseus I do not need to reference it. If I’m using the example of Odysseus to discuss depictions of war fighting in literature across time then yes you must cite it.
If you are writing a fictional book, opinion or other non-academic literature then no you do not. If I say that my character was faced with the same obstacles of Odysseus I do not need to reference it. If I’m using the example of Odysseus to discuss depictions of war fighting in literature across time then yes you must cite it.
As Meg and Nichole have said, if it's a fiction book you don't. If anything, you can say in your author's note where you read the fairy tale or what edition and/or translator you used if you did, I've seen some authors do this. But again, not required.
