Fictitious Works Disclaimer Notice: If You Have to Use One, Use This One

I like to draw and I like to write and I like to code. Happily, these “three joys” can be combined in the creation of web pages of representational speculative fiction. The particular genre that I prefer is hard sci-fi comics or illustrated stories that present a “plausible reality”.

An important aspect of hard sci-fi and other genres of fiction is the concept of believability; does the story present a plausible reality? The hope is that the story presents a circumstance or situation that the reader will assume could represent a possible actuality.

That leads us to the familiar notion of denial presented as a work of fiction disclaimer notice on the front pages of most published works of fiction, i.e., any resemblance to actual reality is purely coincidental.

Yet, the most important aspect of any of these works is surely their entertainment value, and in that regard, the common disclaimer notices have at best a diminished value as contributors to the reader’s entertainment.

Note well that the notices make certain stipulations designed to protect the author and publisher, and thus, they DO serve an important purpose under law, partly because of the legal nature of these disclaimers, virtually all of these notices appear in the format I refer to as “banal legalese.”

I think even lawyers don’t find them very entertaining.

So, I’m determined to present a “Works of Fiction Disclaimer” that embodies the concept of having some entertainment value in addition to its desired “suitability to purpose”:

Fictitious Works Disclaimer

The stories, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in these literary works are fictitious and entirely imaginary. All persons, living, dead, and undead, are purely coincidental, and should not be construed.

No identification with actual persons, places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred. All characters and events in these works – even those based on real people – are entirely fictional.

Most of the past events described herein actually happened, though on occasion the author has taken certain liberties with chronology.

Most of the future events described herein also actually happened, though here again on occasion the author has taken certain liberties with chronology.

Any resemblance to actual robots or AIs would be really cool. Nobody in these works, and no outfit or corporation, thank God, is based upon similarities to any actual person or outfit in the real world.

However, while these similarities to actual events are neither intended nor coincidental, the similarities may be inevitable. In fact, by comparison with anticipated realities, these stories may be as tame as a holiday postcard.

No person or entity associated with this work received payment or anything of value or entered into any agreement in connection with the depiction of any products.

No animals were harmed in the making of these works. The authors do not encourage harmful, illegal, or criminal activities of any sort.

The author, that’d be me, hopes you found this useful and above all entertaining, This disclaimer notice is used on my Comics page.

As always criticism, comments, and suggestions are appreciated.