Author Code of Conduct

Effective Date: January 2018

Last Updated: December 2025

1. Purpose

This Author Code of Conduct (“Code”) outlines the professional standards and behavioral expectations required of all authors working with Achievers Publishing Inc. (“Publisher”).

Our goal is to maintain a respectful, lawful, and professional publishing environment for authors, staff, contractors, and distribution partners.

Compliance with this Code is a condition of receiving services.

2. Professional Communication

Authors agree to:

• Communicate respectfully and professionally

• Avoid abusive, threatening, defamatory, or harassing language

• Refrain from discriminatory remarks based on race, religion, gender, nationality, disability, or other protected characteristics

• Maintain constructive engagement in disputes

Abusive conduct toward staff or contractors may result in service suspension or termination.

3. Originality & Content Integrity

Authors must ensure that all submitted material:

• Is original or properly licensed

• Does not infringe copyright, trademark, or intellectual property rights

• Does not contain plagiarized content

• Does not contain unauthorized third-party materials

If artificial intelligence (AI) tools are used in content creation, the Author remains fully responsible for:

• Verifying originality

• Ensuring compliance with copyright law

• Avoiding unauthorized use of protected material

The Publisher reserves the right to refuse content that appears to infringe intellectual property rights.

4. Lawful Content

Authors may not submit content that:

• Promotes unlawful activity

• Incites violence

• Contains hate speech

• Is defamatory

• Is fraudulent

• Violates privacy rights

• Contains explicit illegal material

The Publisher reserves the right to decline publication of any content that may create legal or reputational risk.

5. Payment Responsibility

Authors agree to:

• Pay agreed fees in a timely manner

• Avoid initiating unjustified chargebacks

• Communicate concerns prior to disputing transactions

Initiating chargebacks without prior good faith communication may result in:

• Suspension of services

• Distribution deactivation

• Legal recovery of associated costs

6. Revision & Approval Responsibility

Authors are responsible for:

• Reviewing proofs carefully

• Approving files prior to print

• Submitting accurate final content

Errors approved by the Author are not attributable to the Publisher.

Repeated revision cycles beyond scope may incur additional charges.

7. Public Representation

Authors may not:

• Misrepresent their relationship with the Publisher

• Make false public claims regarding contractual terms

• Publish defamatory statements about staff or services

• Impersonate the Publisher in communications

Constructive feedback is welcome. Defamation is not.

8. Platform & Distribution Compliance

Authors agree to comply with:

• Retail platform guidelines

• Distribution standards

• Content restrictions imposed by wholesalers

Violation of distribution rules may result in listing removal beyond the Publisher’s control.

9. Confidentiality

Authors must not disclose:

• Internal pricing structures

• Private business communications

• Proprietary systems

• Internal documentation

unless authorized in writing.

10. Breach Of Code

If this Code is violated, the Publisher may:

• Issue a warning

• Suspend services

• Terminate agreement

• Remove the title from distribution

• Pursue legal remedies if necessary

Severity of action will depend on the nature of the breach.

11. Good Faith Resolution

The Publisher is committed to resolving concerns professionally.

Authors are encouraged to raise issues through direct communication rather than public escalation.

12. Governing Law

This Code is governed by the laws of Alberta, Canada.

13. Acceptance

By submitting a manuscript, purchasing services, or entering into a publishing agreement, the Author acknowledges and agrees to abide by this Code of Conduct.