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Ethics & Authorship Pledge

Below is the Ethics & Authorship Pledge. Please click here to complete the form online.

Preamble

As a participant in the Human Author Verified (HAV), I recognize that the title “author” carries a responsibility to readers, to other creators, and to the truth.

 

By signing this pledge, I affirm that I am a real human writer, that I take full responsibility for the works I publish under my name, and that I will be honest and transparent about my use of technology, including artificial intelligence.

 

I. Core Principles

I agree to uphold the following principles:

  1. Human Creativity
    I believe that human imagination, experience, and insight are at the heart of authorship, and I will honor that in my work.
  2. Honesty & Transparency
    I will not knowingly mislead readers, publishers, booksellers, or the HAV team about my identity, my role in creating a work, or my use of AI and other tools.
  3. Respect for Readers
    I understand that readers deserve to know when a book is genuinely written by a human author, and I will treat their trust as something to be earned and protected.
  4. Respect for Other Creators
    I will not plagiarize, steal, or falsely claim the work of others—human or machine—as my original creation.
  5. Accountability
    I accept that if I break this pledge, my HAV status can be suspended or revoked.

 

II. Authorship Integrity

By joining HAV, I commit to the following regarding my work:

  1. Primary Human Authorship
    For any work I present as “HAV-verified,” I confirm that:
    • The majority of the prose was originally written by me, a human, and
    • Any tools used (including AI) served a supporting role, not a primary writing role.
  2. No Hidden Ghostwriting (Human or AI)
    • I will not claim sole authorship of a work primarily written by someone else or by AI.
    • If a human co-author or ghostwriter contributes substantially, that role will be truthfully represented wherever authorship is disclosed (to the extent legally and contractually possible).
  3. No Plagiarism
    • I will not copy text, ideas, or structure from other creators without proper permission and/or attribution where required.
    • If I use source material (fiction or non-fiction), I will handle it ethically.
  4. Accurate Attribution of Editions
    • If a work changes significantly (for example, a “human edition” followed by a heavily AI-rewritten edition), I will not misrepresent AI-written versions as human-authored for HAV purposes.

 

III. AI Use & Disclosure

I acknowledge that AI is a powerful tool and agree to use it responsibly:

  1. Allowed Under HAV
    I may use AI tools for:
    • Brainstorming, outlining, and idea generation
    • Language polishing (grammar, spelling, clarity)
    • Limited line-level suggestions
    • Research assistance and summarization of factual material

As long as:

    • I remain the primary creator of the text, and
    • I make final, substantive decisions about the content.
  1. Not Eligible for HAV “Human-Authored” Status
    I agree not to present a work as HAV-verified human-authored if:
    • Most of the text was generated by AI and I only lightly edited it, or
    • The book was produced through “rapid AI book generation” or similar mass-content methods, or
    • AI was used to ghostwrite substantial sections that I did not originally draft myself.
  2. Clear Disclosure
    • In my HAV application, I will accurately describe how I use AI in my writing process.
    • If my use of AI changes significantly for future works, I will not attach the HAV badge to those works unless they still fit HAV’s human-authorship standards.
  3. Future Changes in Technology
    I understand that as AI capabilities evolve, HAV may update its policies. I agree to:
    • Stay reasonably informed of HAV guidelines
    • Adjust my use of the badge and my disclosures to remain in compliance.

 

IV. Truthfulness in Submissions & Promotion

  1. Accurate Information
    All information I submit to HAV—about my identity, my books, my publication history, and my use of AI—will be complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
  2. Honest Use of the HAV Badge
    • I will only display the HAV badge on:
      • My author website, social platforms, and marketing materials to indicate I am a Verified Human Author, and/or
      • Specific works that meet HAV’s human-authorship criteria.
    • I will not use the badge:
      • On books that do not meet HAV’s human-authorship standards
      • On works primarily written by AI
      • On works I did not personally author or co-author
  3. No Misrepresentation of HAV
    I will not claim that HAV:
    • Endorses my opinions or politics
    • Guarantees my book’s quality or success
    • Has “approved” my content beyond verifying human authorship and identity

 

V. Professional & Ethical Conduct

  1. Respectful Engagement
    I will engage with readers, reviewers, booksellers, and fellow authors in a way that reflects basic respect and professionalism, even during disagreement.
  2. No Fraudulent Use of the Program
    I will not attempt to:
    • Obtain HAV verification under a false identity, or
    • Help others do so, or
    • Sell, trade, or “rent out” my badge or verification to another person.
  3. Cooperation with HAV Inquiries
    If a serious concern is raised about my authorship claims or my use of the HAV badge:
    • I agree to cooperate in good faith with reasonable fact-checking or re-verification steps.

 

VI. Compliance & Consequences

I understand and accept that:

  1. HAV may suspend or revoke my verification if:
    • I am found to have intentionally lied about my identity, authorship, or AI use
    • I significantly misuse the HAV badge in ways that mislead readers or the industry
    • I refuse to correct clear misuse after being notified
  2. HAV may update this pledge over time, and I may be asked to reaffirm or renew my agreement as part of continued verification.
  3. If my status is revoked, I will remove HAV badges from my public materials and refrain from presenting myself as a Verified Human Author.

 

VII. Author Affirmation

I affirm that I have read and understood the HAV Ethics & Authorship Pledge.
I agree to abide by these principles and to represent my work truthfully.
I understand that my verification depends on my ongoing honesty and integrity as an author.

 

Name (legal): _________________________________

 

Pen name (if applicable): _______________________

 

Signature: ____________________________________

 

Date: ___________________