Writers Covenant & Guidelines
At InkLight, we believe every story matters—and how it’s told matters just as much. Our Writers’ Covenant, Content Guidelines, and AI Policy exist to help you create work that reflects faith, creativity, and respect for your readers. These aren’t just “rules”—they’re our shared commitment to quality, originality, and a Christ‑centered approach to storytelling. Whether you’re publishing a single chapter or a full book, these standards help keep InkLight a safe, inspiring, and trusted space for writers and readers alike. We understand many authors will use AI in the creative process; we simply ask that your voice leads the work and that you follow our AI use guidelines. Create boldly, credit fairly, and let your words carry the Light.
Part 1. Writers Covenant
InkLight Writer’s Covenant
At InkLight, we believe that words have power — to shape minds, stir hearts, and shine light in a dark world. As an author in this community, you are not just a storyteller; you are a steward of the message God has entrusted to you.
By publishing on InkLight, you agree to honor the following commitments:
1. Keep Christ at the Center
Your work should reflect Biblical truth, Christian values, and a commitment to glorifying God.
Stories do not need to be “preachy,” but they should point readers toward hope, redemption, grace, and truth.
2. Honor Family-Friendly Standards
No explicit sexual content, erotic themes, or pornographic material.
Avoid excessive or gratuitous violence, gore, or disturbing imagery.
Do not use profanity, vulgarity, or blasphemy.
Difficult topics (abuse, addiction, trauma) may be explored if handled with care, redemptive purpose, and sensitivity.
3. Respect Your Readers
Write with integrity, accuracy, and honesty.
Do not plagiarize or use someone else’s work without permission.
Engage with readers in a way that is kind, respectful, and uplifting — even when responding to criticism.
4. Maintain Ownership & Responsibility
You retain full copyright and control over your work — you may publish it elsewhere and remove it from InkLight at any time.
You are responsible for ensuring you have rights to all text, images, and media you upload.
You agree that your work will be reviewed for alignment with our mission before publication.
5. Build Up the InkLight Community
Encourage and support other authors — we grow stronger together.
Share your work with humility, trusting God to use it to impact lives.
Avoid content or conduct that divides, discourages, or dishonors Christ.
Our Promise to You
We will promote a safe, inspiring, and faith-centered environment where your creativity can flourish and your stories can reach the readers God has prepared. We will never claim ownership of your work, and we will always celebrate the gifts God has placed in you.
By publishing on InkLight, you affirm this covenant and commit to using your words to inspire, encourage, and glorify God.
📜 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14
Part 2. Content Guidelines
InkLight Content Guidelines
InkLight exists to provide a Christ-centered, family-friendly platform for authors and readers to connect, grow, and share stories that inspire. These guidelines help ensure all published works reflect our mission and maintain a safe and uplifting community for everyone.
1. Faith & Values
✔ Encouraged:
Stories, devotionals, and articles that reflect Christian themes, values, or morals — whether overtly or subtly.
Characters and plots that point toward hope, redemption, grace, and truth.
Honest exploration of struggles and challenges with a redemptive purpose.
🚫 Not Allowed:
Content that promotes beliefs contrary to core Biblical truths.
Material that mocks, blasphemes, or dishonors God, Jesus Christ, or the Bible.
2. Family-Friendly Standards
✔ Allowed:
Light romance that honors God’s design for relationships.
Age-appropriate content for all audiences.
Honest but sensitive discussion of difficult topics (abuse, addiction, grief) if handled respectfully and redemptively.
🚫 Not Allowed:
Explicit sexual content, erotic themes, or pornographic material.
Excessive or graphic violence, gore, or disturbing imagery.
Profanity, vulgarity, or obscene language.
3. Accuracy & Integrity
Do not plagiarize. Use only your own original work or content you have full rights to.
All quotes, scripture, and references should be accurate and properly attributed.
Avoid misleading claims or intentionally deceptive storytelling.
4. Formatting & Technical Requirements
File formats: PDF, ePub, and MP3 for audio.
Cover image: JPG or PNG, minimum size 800×1200 pixels.
Book description: 150–300 words that summarize the story without misleading readers.
All uploads must be free from malware, watermarks you don’t own, or embedded advertisements.
5. Ownership & Rights
Authors retain full copyright and control over their work.
You may remove your book from InkLight at any time.
By publishing on InkLight, you grant us permission to display, promote, and distribute your work through our platform in accordance with these guidelines.
6. Community Interaction
Treat readers and fellow authors with respect, even in disagreement.
No personal attacks, harassment, or inflammatory content in public or private messages.
Use comments and discussion boards to build each other up.
Failure to follow these guidelines may result in content removal or account suspension.
📜 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up…” – Ephesians 4:29
Part 3. AI Consent & Policy
InkLight AI Content Policy
InkLight welcomes the use of AI tools as part of the creative process, provided that:
The Author Remains the Creator – AI may be used for brainstorming, editing, idea generation, or even drafting portions of text, but the submitting author must be the primary creative voice and take full responsibility for the work.
Full Review Required – All AI-assisted content must be reviewed and edited by the author to ensure accuracy, originality, and alignment with InkLight’s Writer’s Covenant and Content Guidelines.
Ethical Use of AI – Authors may not use AI to plagiarize, replicate another author’s unique style without permission, or generate inappropriate, harmful, or misleading content.
Disclosure of Substantial AI Contributions – If AI generated a significant portion of the book (e.g., entire scenes, chapters, or the complete cover design), authors must indicate this during submission. Minor uses (grammar check, small rewrites, brainstorming) do not require disclosure.
Submission Form Checkbox:
✅ I confirm that I am the primary author of this work and that all AI-assisted content has been fully reviewed and edited by me to meet InkLight’s standards.
