Well, whatever the legalities, I've just printed out 3 letters to 3 women with the name. From internet sources. One of them may be the writer, her mother or daughter. I've asked them for some detail about the book, to verify. Maybe it will be as simple as that. If she's published and it's the long-lost copy of the last book of her million-selling trilogy, maybe I'll ask a finder's fee.

Isn't it the rule in songwriting that once you perform it, it's copyrighted? Technically, once you "create" it.

Thanks for the input. I'll see what the letters bring.