When it comes to including resources in the back of your novel, I highly recommend asking for permission from the organization you wish to use. At the end of The Field, I offer two resources with contact information for The Center for Missing and Exploited Children and for Crisis Text Line. I initially was just going to write up a quick Resources section with these and be done with it. However, I felt that it was only right to get the go-ahead from the organizations themselves just to be safe.
If you would like to include resources, go to their website, find the Contact page and send a brief email that describes your project, that you’d like to include their information, and provide your contact info just in case they have additional questions.
The Center for Missing and Exploited Children gave me the okay in their response, while Crisis Text Line requested more information about the content of the book. I sent them the synopsis, and they agreed to have their information included. They requested to see the text that would be used and I emailed them what I had written. They had one change they asked for and I complied. Remember, they are doing you a favor, so it’s important that you provide their message to readers in the way they want it communicated.
I also feel that having official permission from someone at the organization gives its use in your book more weight and credibility.
Below is the final text included in the Resources section of The Field:
If you suspect a friend or family member has been abducted, don’t act on your own. Contact your local authorities or The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at http://www.missingkids.com or call 1-800-843-5678.
If you are in a toxic friendship or relationship and need to talk to someone, contact Crisis Text Line at 741741 in the U.S. or contact your local authorities. You can find out more information about Crisis Text Line at their website, www.crisistextline.org. There is help available.
