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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/47198
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/47198
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Marion Zimmer Bradley's _The Forest House_ is a lose retelling of Belini's opera _Norma_. Several hymns were taken from the opera verbatim, something done as tribute to the source material. Zimmer Bradley states all this in **a short author's note** in the beginning of the novel. As @CrisSunami states in a comment, this is common practice. The author's note can be located in the beginning or the end.

However, it is important to note _Norma_ is in the public domain. **The situation is somewhat different for texts which are still copyrighted** , as @Amadeus states.

In such a case, you would need to **obtain permission** from the author to use his text. Write to the relevant copyright holder, get the permission. Unless you're putting the thing in very negative context, it's extra publicity for them. That's always good. As an example, in the Acknowledgements section of _Olympos_, Dan Simmons writes:

> I would like to thank Jean-Daniel Breque for his permission to use the details of one of his favourite walks down the avenue Daumesnil and the rest of that _Promenade Plantée_. A full description of this delightful walk can be found in Jean-Daniel's essay "Green Tracks" in the _Time Out Book of Paris Walks_, published by Penguin.

Note that in this case nothing is quoted verbatim, but nonetheless permission has been obtained, and credit is given. This is not to say that a verbatim quote could not have been used.

It is for you to find out whether the work you wish to quote is copyrighted, and to obtain permission to use it if it is. Then, just provide accreditation in the beginning or the end.

Original score: 3