The key result from talking to the relevant parties pre-publication is that it usually enriches the story. Even if someone is blatantly trying to deny or turn

The key result from talking to the relevant parties pre-publication is that it usually enriches the story. Even if someone is blatantly trying to deny or turn the story, they may give you information you didn’t have before (and that they were unlikely to give you absent publication pressure). It’s a superpower to be able to say ‘I have words written. Now what would you like to tell me?’