Generative AI Policy
TaleRow believes that books should be human-authored at their core.
Therefore, we have written this policy on generative artificial intelligence (AI), informed by public guidance from the Alliance of Independent Authors, the Authors Guild and the Society of Authors. The rules below are TaleRow’s own.
Scope: All authors, contributors, publishing partners, traders and service providers associated with our book festivals and events. This covers text, covers, interior art, audio, merchandise and promotional material.
1. Preamble and Purpose
The rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) presents profound opportunities and complex challenges for the literary community. These guidelines establish a clear, balanced, and fair framework governing the use of GenAI in the creation of manuscripts, book covers and associated products.
At the core of this policy is a commitment to transparency, authorial integrity, and copyright compliance, while pragmatically recognising the modern publishing ecosystem; specifically, that authors often rely on third-party software, professional service providers, and bought-in tools where AI integration may be opaque or embedded by default.
2. Core Principles
1.Human Authorship at the Centre: Our community values original, human-crafted creative expression. Generative AI tools may be used to assist the creative process (e.g., brainstorming, outlining, developmental feedback), but the core creative and intellectual labour of writing a book must remain fundamentally human.
2.Transparency and Disclosure: Authors must declare any AI-generated content (see section 5).
3.Protection of Intellectual Property: No AI-generated or AI-assisted content may infringe upon the copyright, privacy, or moral rights of third parties. Authors must ensure that any tools or services used respect intellectual property rights.
3. Definitions and Scope of AI Use
Definitions: “AI-generated” means text, images, translations or audio created by an AI tool, even if edited afterwards. “AI-assisted” means content the author created, with AI used to edit, refine, check or brainstorm.
A. Manuscript Creation (Text)
Prohibited: Displaying or selling works where the substance of the text (chapters, scenes or substantial passages) is AI-generated, whether or not edited afterwards (e.g., prompting an LLM to write full chapters, entire scenes, or complete manuscripts from scratch). Occasional AI-suggested words or phrases that the author adopted and rewrote are not covered. Using AI to imitate another author’s distinctive voice or style is also prohibited.
Permitted: Using AI tools as auxiliary aids—such as grammar checkers, style editors, translation aids (but machine-translated text that is published counts as AI-generated), structural brainstorming tools, research, or automated developmental feedback software (e.g., ProWritingAid, Grammarly, or specialised editing suites).
B. Cover Design, Visual Assets and Audio
Prohibited: Utilising fully automated, text-to-image generators (such as Midjourney, DALL-E, or Stable Diffusion) to produce a finished book cover, interior illustration or promotional artwork, and AI narration or cloned voices, unless declared under section 5 and accepted by TaleRow.
Permitted: Commissioning human professional designers who may incorporate standard digital tools, filters, or AI-assisted features integrated directly into industry-standard software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop’s generative features), provided the designer’s own work is the substantial part.
4. Third-Party Services and Indirect AI Use (The “Unaware User” Clause)
The publishing industry increasingly relies on third-party vendors, marketplace platforms (such as Canva, Vellum, Scrivener), and freelance professionals (editors, proofreaders, formatters, and cover artists). We recognise that authors may unknowingly use services or software that incorporate underlying AI technologies without explicit disclosure from the vendor.
No Strict Liability for Unintended Integration: An author will not be penalised or found in breach of policy if generative AI is utilised by a bought-in service provider (e.g., a freelance editor running a manuscript through AI-backed grammar software, or a bought-in Canva template containing generative design elements) without the author’s prior knowledge or explicit intent.
Due Diligence: Authors are expected to exercise reasonable diligence when hiring professionals or purchasing third-party design assets (e.g., checking platform terms of service or asking freelance providers for assurance regarding original or properly licensed work).
Remediation upon Discovery: If an author or TaleRow subsequently discovers that a bought-in service or asset relied heavily on unauthorised or undisclosed generative AI in a manner that compromises copyright or quality standards, the author must tell TaleRow within 14 days and replace, relabel or withdraw the item within 30 days.
5. Disclosure and Reporting Requirements
To maintain trust with readers and publishing partners, authors should adhere to the following disclosure standards:
1.AI-Generated Content: If any content is AI-generated, declare it on the application form. Authors may also describe their approach as AI-Minimal, AI-Assisted or AI-Integrated (ALLi’s terms).
2.Standard Publishing Software: Routine use of modern word processors, spelling/grammar checkers, and standard layout tools do not require disclosure, even if those tools utilise AI background features.
3.Third-Party Vendor Acknowledgment: Where cover art or interior design is purchased via platforms like Canva or through freelance marketplaces, retaining records of purchase and licensing rights satisfies the author’s compliance obligations regarding indirect tool usage.
4.Optional certification: Authors may share an Authors Guild Human Authored certificate as supporting information about their text. It is not required and does not replace the declaration.
6. Enforcement, Compliance, and Industry Alignment
Precedent and Benchmarks: This policy draws inspiration from guidelines established by organisations such as the Alliance of Independent Authors, the Authors Guild and the Society of Authors regarding transparency and copyright compliance.
Review Process: In the event of a dispute or concern regarding AI use in a published work, TaleRow will review the matter contextually; distinguishing between deliberate mass-generation of AI text/art and incidental, unwitting utilisation via standard editing software or third-party marketplaces.
Raising concerns: If you suspect a breach, email talerow@troisetoilespress.com with what you’ve seen. Please don’t confront traders or post about them on social media, in event groups or at the event.
No public accusations: Publicly alleging a breach before TaleRow has reviewed it may breach our event conduct rules. Traders and attendees agree to this as a condition of booking or attending.
Fair process: Concerns are treated confidentially as far as practicable. The trader may respond in writing, and TaleRow will reply within 14 days. Concerns raised in good faith won’t count against the person reporting them.
No AI-detection tools: TaleRow doesn’t run traders’ work through AI tools or detectors, as this would contradict this policy. We will use the trader’s declaration, their records and a conversation with them.
Outcomes: These range from no action to relabelling, removal from display or declining future bookings.
Existing titles: This policy applies to all titles displayed or sold at our events from the effective date, including titles published earlier. Authors with existing titles that include AI-generated content should declare them as set out in section 5.
By adhering to these guidelines, authors protect their creative standing, respect their readership, and help maintain a healthy, sustainable ecosystem for human authorship.