Writing about a Living Subject: Tips & Challenges

By Danna Zeiger

It is a rare gift to be able to write about a living subject. 

Early in my writing adventure, I realized how tragically few books with disability representation existed, let alone cerebral palsy. I knew I needed to introduce the world to my dear friend, Dr. Kathleen Friel. I was lucky to be mentored by Dr. Friel in my very first undergraduate lab, studying corticospinal development and repair. She was patient, kind, funny, and also the first person with cerebral palsy I had met in academia… and she was researching potential therapies for cerebral palsy!

After countless questions from fellow writers, I thought it would be helpful to share tips for writing about living individuals based upon my experience. 

Tip #1

You must ask for permission, first, unless the living person is super famous (and even then, proceed with caution). Reading a newspaper article about someone isn’t sufficient fame to give you the right to write. Seek out the individual and obtain written permission. If you’re lucky, you might be able to interview them and ask some questions along the way.

Rewriting the Rules: Dr. Friel is famous—she has won national awards for her research and advocacy; she is a reputable and well-regarded researcher and professor; and she has even had articles written about her both in lay media and in scientific journals. However, she is not of “household fame” and I needed her explicit permission. Regardless, I wouldn’t dream of writing her story without consent.

I approached Dr. Friel before conducting my research, timidly asking if she would be up for my writing a children’s book about her. Surprised, perhaps amused, she said “sure!”! I sent her a few questions but mostly researched and used my own knowledge to write my manuscript.

Tip #2

Consider your subject! Think about accuracy. Think about how this person will feel when they read your manuscript about them! I recommend, for especially sensitive topics, finding sensitivity readers.

Rewriting the Rules: In my opinion, this is the hardest part of writing about a living subject—and probably made this project harder than any of my others. I had heart palpitations thinking of Dr. Friel reading my manuscript. What if she hated it? Disagreed with something I said? Wished I’d approached it differently? What if… I didn’t do her story justice? These very ideas kept me up at night. Dr. Friel is incredible in every right. If a reader walked away thinking otherwise, it would be entirely my fault. 

I sought multiple sensitivity readers through various drafts. I read articles and books about cerebral palsy and the different ways to approach it. I knew Dr. Friel’s research intimately well, having worked in the lab together, but I also reread her papers and even her Ph.D. thesis—which I had never done before! Although I’m a scientist myself, I still checked that even the most simplest of explanations were always accurate.

Tip #3

Share your manuscript with your subject only after it has been accepted for publication and with your editor’s explicit permission. There are many reasons: picture books are hard to envision for the untrained eye. Your subject isn’t necessarily a writer and might have a different vision. The final version will likely be different than what you originally drafted.

Rewriting the Rules: I know Dr. Friel personally and this was especially hard! Upon acquisition, I was able to share the exciting news, but I didn’t send her the manuscript until final approved edits. It turns out, my final version was quite different than the one I submitted—and so much stronger! I’m grateful to our team of four (incredible editors Carol Hinz, Leila Sales, and two sensitivity readers) examining every word. 

When I finally sent it to Dr. Friel, I cried with relief when she reacted so positively and excitedly!

Tip #4

Through the book process, collaborate with your subject! Seek their pictures, thoughts, etc.

Rewriting the Rules: Dr. Friel sent all kinds of childhood pictures that were helpful for Josée Bisaillon, the illustrator, as well as close-up pictures so that Josée could really capture cerebral palsy authentically.

Tip #5

Work on promotion together and have fun doing it! Share every review, award, and announcement with your subject!

Rewriting the Rules: Reveling in every positive review, every influencer share, every award with Dr. Friel has been the best reward! We’ve done events together, including a launch event, and a No Place for Hate sponsored interfaith discussion. Having Dr. Friel and her family share their experiences in-person are core memories. I could listen to them for hours! Their excitement and partnership in this adventure have enriched it beyond imagination. 

Writing about a living subject was nerve-wracking but also immensely rewarding. I love seeing my beautiful, inspiring, and smart friend everywhere!

 

 

About the author: Danna Zeiger’s debut STEAM nonfiction picture book, Rewriting the Rules: How Dr. Kathleen Friel Created New Possibilities for Brain Research and Disability (September 2025) was named Best of 2025 by School Library Journal and the Chicago Public Library, and won 2026 Outstanding Science Trade Books for K-12 by the National Science Teachers’ Association. Danna is also a 2024-2026 PJ Library Sephardic Stories Initiative writing fellow. Learn more about Danna, STEM, and nonfiction at https://www.dannazeiger.com/.