Ethical Publishing Standards
Our Commitment
At Wilder Creek Publishing, we believe that ethical publishing is not optional — it is foundational.
We exist to empower authors, not exploit them. We exist to serve readers, not mislead them. That means every manuscript we accept, every author we support, and every service we provide must align with a clear and enforceable code of integrity.
We protect authors’ rights, elevate underrepresented voices, and reject content that exploits, plagiarizes, or causes harm.
What We Will Not Publish
Wilder Creek Publishing reserves the right to decline or withdraw any submission that contains:
Plagiarized content
Undisclosed AI-generated manuscripts (see AI policy below)
Defamatory, libelous, or slanderous material
Hate speech, including attacks on race, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, or nationality
Targeted harassment or incitement of violence
Manipulative or misleading nonfiction (e.g., fabricated memoirs or exploitative claims)
Content created to spread misinformation, extremism, or promote violence
All works are subject to review by our editorial and ethics team. If a breach is discovered after acceptance, WCP reserves the right to revoke publishing agreements and remove works from our catalog.
AI Transparency Policy
We support innovation — but not deception
We recognize some authors require assistance for various impairments. AI is a tool to assist writers; though it is not a substitute for actual writing and the art of authorship.
Not all AI-assisted novels are denied a U.S. copyright. We can assist in gaining the proper certifications to receive a formal copyright.
AI-assisted manuscripts are permitted if they meet originality standards consistent with U.S. copyright registration eligibility.
Partial AI-assisted books may be published only if the author completes the AI Usage Certification and includes:
A foreword disclosing AI authorship assist
A clear note on the back cover
Disclosure in the book’s online listing or metadata
- Excludes the usage of the copyright verbiage
- AI Assisted Only
Undisclosed AI generation is considered a form of authorial misrepresentation and may result in rejection or removal of the work.
All manuscripts submitted will be run through two well established, subscription level academic AI/plagiarism checkers.
Inclusion Is Policy, Not Slogan
Ethical publishing means standing for something.
We do not tolerate content that undermines the dignity of others. We actively reject manuscripts that attempt to weaponize literature as a tool for hate, manipulation, or cultural erasure.
We proudly support authors from all backgrounds and identities — including veterans, women, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and BIPOC writers — through inclusive imprints and transparent pathways to publishing.
Our Promise to Authors
We are committed to:
Transparent service terms
Preserving your rights and voice
Honest marketing and metadata practices
Originality checks to safeguard your work
Adherence to applicable laws regarding libel, defamation, copyright, and data privacy
Bringing Stories to Light — The Right Way
At Wilder Creek Publishing, we believe every story told with care, honesty, and respect deserves a place in the world.
Our standards are not meant to exclude — they exist to protect what matters most: your voice, your rights, and the communities we all serve through literature.
We are here to help authors rise — not by cutting corners or making empty promises, but by holding to the values that make publishing meaningful.
When you publish with us, you do more than share your words — you honor the responsibility that comes with being heard.