Permission

by Michael Nicolson
(Elizabeth East)

I'm writing a fictional story about a group of five 14 year old spies sent into Mark Oliphant College under-cover. Because it's a real school do I have to get permission before I get it published?

ANSWER

No, you will not need permission from the school.

However in using a real locale, you need to have your facts right. You run the risk of making an error that will "ruin the spell" if a reader notices some discrepancy between your version and the "real thing."

You could also inadvertently write something that creates a legal issue. Unless there is a good reason not to do so, you will make your job as a writer easier if you create a fictitious school.