Legal Question on Memoir / Disclaimer

Question

I am currently working on writing a memior. Most of it is posted in my online blog so that my friends can see it.

A lot of it is about a hard life, and about harassment and similar things.

I have changed a lot of the names, so that they cannot sue me for defemation.

I have a disclaimer that the events have not been fabricated, and that the names of characters have been changed.

Is that enough? Can I still be sued / punished for putting out a work of truth that some people might not appreciate? If so, what can I do to prevent it?

Answer 1

No, you can't be sued as long as you take reasonable steps to protect the identity of people who don't want their names in the book, for example, if someone is named Mary Johnson, you probably don't want to rename her Terry Thompson. (I read of someone getting sued for this same thing). I would also change any details (age, jobs, etc.) if they're not relevant to the story.