Our commitment to manuscript confidentiality
At InkStone Literary, we recognize that every manuscript represents an author's intellectual effort, creativity, research, and original expression.
We understand the importance of protecting unpublished literary works throughout the editorial, design, formatting, and production process. This policy sets out the confidentiality principles and document-handling standards that guide how we receive, access, process, store, and deliver client manuscripts.
We are committed to treating client materials as confidential and handling them with professionalism and respect.
Ownership and intellectual property rights
All manuscripts, original literary content, characters, concepts, illustrations, and other intellectual property supplied by a client remain the property of their respective rights holders.
Submitting a manuscript for editorial, design, formatting, or production services does not transfer copyright or ownership rights to InkStone Literary. We do not claim ownership of the original intellectual property contained in submitted materials.
Any use of submitted materials beyond the agreed scope of services requires the client's prior authorization.
Ownership and permitted use of newly created design files or other deliverables will be governed by the applicable project agreement.
Restricted access to manuscripts
Access to client manuscripts is limited to individuals who reasonably need the materials to perform the agreed project services.
Depending on the scope of work, authorized personnel may include:
- Project coordinators
- Editors and proofreaders
- Book designers and typesetters
- Formatting and production specialists
Secure document handling and storage
Individuals involved in handling client materials are expected to respect confidentiality and use submitted documents only for their assigned project responsibilities. Manuscripts will not knowingly be distributed to unrelated parties or made publicly accessible without the client's authorization.
InkStone Literary takes reasonable administrative and technical precautions to protect client manuscripts and associated project files. These precautions may include:
- Using designated communication and file-transfer channels for project materials
- Restricting document access to authorized project personnel
- Avoiding unnecessary duplication or distribution of manuscript files
- Taking reasonable precautions against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or loss
- Following appropriate document-handling procedures throughout the production process
Third-party providers
Where third-party software or service providers are required for production, manuscript materials will be handled in accordance with applicable confidentiality arrangements and the relevant service requirements.
Non-disclosure and confidentiality
InkStone Literary treats unpublished manuscripts, project details, author information, and other non-public materials received for a project as confidential. We will not knowingly:
- Publish or distribute an author's unpublished manuscript without permission
- Share confidential manuscript content with unauthorized individuals
- Sell, license, or commercially exploit submitted literary materials
- Use unpublished manuscript content for unrelated commercial purposes
- Disclose confidential project information without appropriate authorization, except where disclosure is legally required
Non-Disclosure Agreements
Clients who require additional contractual protection may request a separate Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before submitting their complete manuscript.
Use of artificial intelligence and third-party tools
Client manuscripts are intended to be used solely for the services agreed with the client.
Where external software, digital production tools, or artificial intelligence-assisted services are considered necessary, reasonable care will be taken to assess confidentiality implications before use.
InkStone Literary will not knowingly submit confidential manuscript content to public platforms for unrelated purposes or authorize its use for unrelated training or commercial exploitation.
Where a proposed tool or service presents additional confidentiality considerations, those considerations should be addressed with the client before the relevant material is submitted.
Manuscript retention and deletion
Client manuscripts and related production files are retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for project execution, quality assurance, delivery, and any agreed post-production support, subject to applicable legal, contractual, and operational requirements.
Upon project completion, clients may request deletion of manuscript materials held by InkStone Literary.
Where deletion is appropriate, reasonable steps will be taken to remove the relevant files from active storage and prevent further routine access.
Copies retained in routine backups may remain until overwritten or deleted under the applicable backup cycle, unless a different requirement applies.
Third-party collaborators
Some projects may require independent professionals or external production specialists.
Where collaboration is necessary, manuscript materials will be shared only to the extent reasonably required to perform the agreed services.
InkStone Literary expects relevant collaborators to observe appropriate confidentiality obligations and responsible document-handling practices.
Client rights and confidentiality requests
Clients may:
- Ask how their manuscripts are handled
- Request clarification about who may access their materials
- Request an NDA before submitting unpublished work
- Ask about manuscript retention and deletion
- Raise concerns regarding the confidentiality or handling of their documents
How to reach us
Confidentiality-related inquiries should be directed to InkStone Literary using the official contact details below.
Official email: [email protected]. Website: https://inkstoneliterary.online.
Policy application and acknowledgment
This policy describes the confidentiality principles and document-handling standards that guide InkStone Literary's work with client materials.
It does not, by itself, replace a separately signed NDA, service agreement, or other contract.
Where a separate service agreement or NDA is executed, its specific terms will also apply. If any provision of a signed agreement differs from this policy, the signed agreement will govern to the extent of the inconsistency.
Our commitment
Your manuscript is your intellectual property. Your creative work deserves respect, and its confidentiality deserves careful protection.
Supporting authors. Protecting stories. Preparing books for publication.
Written in plain language, and kept up to date as our practice changes. For anything unclear, write to [email protected].