: I would approach with caution, especially if the referenced place is from a recent or currently active book/series. A little goes a long way But if I were writing a cosmic horror series set

@Vandalay250

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I would approach with caution, especially if the referenced place is from a recent or currently active book/series. A little goes a long way

But if I were writing a cosmic horror series set in the American Northeast (or New England, as I guess those folks call it :P, I FOR SURE would have characters who graduated from Miskatonic U., drove past Arkham, and once visited Derry :)

Judicious use of references from associated works can really bring a universe to life, but only as background color, in my opinion. I would never write a story that had a character specifically reference a killer clown from Derry or those weird fishermen in Innsmouth unless I was specifically working WITHIN THAT WORLD.

By the same token, I would never write an urban fantasy series that references Hogwarts. That association is too strong and well known, I think (plus Rowling's lawyers would probably come calling pretty quickly). But a sly reference to Chicago's magical protector might be ok.

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