Terms of Use

Welcome to Novelizing. This site aims to be:

Non-predatory.
- This means your content is always your own, we assert no ownership over it.
- You can delete or stub your work at any time.
- We are non-exclusive. You can cross post your work. It's your novel, do as you see fit.
Friendly and welcoming.
- We want to foster a community of writers and readers who are supportive and kind.
- Remember there's a person on the other side of the screen.
A place where new authors can get a start.
- Anyone can post.
- Content becomes eligable for monetisation once certain threshholds are reached.
- 70% of premium subscription money is redistributed to authors, based on chapter view count.
Literary
- Main lists are scored on reader engagement, style, and grammar.
- We maintain links with print and audio publishers, and trad-pub deals are possible.

Legal Yada Yada (Sorry)

Last Updated: 3rd March 2025

1. Introduction and Agreement to Terms

1.1 Welcome to Novelizing

Welcome to Novelizing, a platform designed for writers and readers to create, share, and monetize fiction under author-friendly terms. Novelizing is owned and operated by Novelizing, an LLC registered in Wyoming, USA.

By accessing or using Novelizing, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms of Service (the “Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the platform.

By using Novelizing (aka Novelizing.com and Novelising.com), users agree to abide by these Terms of Service and all applicable platform rules, including but not limited to Novelizing’s Community Guidelines, Content Policies, Monetization Rules, and Privacy Policy. These rules are considered an integral part of the Terms of Service and may be updated periodically. Users acknowledge that continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of any revised terms and policies.

1.2 Scope of Services

Novelizing provides a fiction-sharing platform that allows authors to:

Publish their works and engage with a community of readers.
Potentially monetize content through things such as subscriptions, ad revenue, reader tips, or direct support.
Participate in community discussions, forums, and messaging, subject to Community Guidelines.

Novelizing does not provide legal, financial, or publishing advice, and users are responsible for their own compliance with applicable laws, including copyright and tax obligations.

1.3 Acceptance of Terms

By using Novelizing, you acknowledge and agree to these Terms, along with all other policies governing the platform, including but not limited to:

Privacy Policy – Governs how user data is collected, stored, and used.
Community Guidelines – Regulates user behavior, engagement, and content standards.
DMCA Policy – (Included herein under Clause 8) Details copyright protection measures and infringement reporting procedures.
AI Usage Policy – Defines the rules for AI-assisted and AI-generated content. The AI Usage Policy is composed of all AI-related provisions stated in these Terms of Service (such as under Clause 5 AI & Automated Content Policy), the Community Guidelines, and any additional platform policies regarding AI-assisted or AI-generated content. By using Novelizing, users agree to abide by all AI-related rules across these policies.

If you do not agree with any of these policies, you must discontinue use of the platform.

1.4 Right to Modify Terms

Novelizing reserves the right to update, modify, or replace these Terms at any time. In the event of material changes, users will be notified through platform announcements, direct notifications, or other reasonable means.

Your continued use of the platform after an update takes effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must stop using Novelizing.

These Terms are designed to ensure a fair, transparent, and supportive environment for all users. By participating in Novelizing, you agree to uphold these principles and adhere to all applicable rules and policies.

2. Eligibility and Account Registration

2.1 Minimum Age Requirements

You must be at least 14 years old to create an account on Novelizing.
To participate in monetization features, including subscriptions, ad revenue, and reader tips, you must be 18 years old or have explicit parental or legal guardian consent.
Users under 18 years old must have parental or guardian approval to access or purchase mature or NSFW content, subject to local laws. Novelizing does not assume liability for failure to comply with such laws.

2.2 Account Creation and Accuracy of Information

Users must provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information when registering.
Creating an account using false, misleading, or impersonated information is strictly prohibited.
Novelizing reserves the right to verify user identities at any time and may request additional documentation to confirm compliance with these Terms.
If false or misleading information is discovered, Novelizing may suspend or terminate the account without notice.

2.3 Parental Consent for Minors

Users under 18 years old who wish to monetize content must submit verified parental or guardian consent in accordance with Novelizing’s verification procedures.
Parents or legal guardians assume full responsibility for any activity conducted by minors under their supervision.
Novelizing reserves the right to restrict or remove monetization privileges if proper consent is not maintained or is found to be falsified.

2.4 Account Security Responsibilities

Users are solely responsible for maintaining the security of their accounts.
Sharing account credentials with others is strictly prohibited. Any actions taken under a user’s account will be considered their responsibility.
If unauthorized access is suspected, users must immediately notify Novelizing support to mitigate potential security risks.
Novelizing is not liable for losses resulting from unauthorized access caused by a user’s failure to maintain account security.

2.5 Account Ownership and Transfer Restrictions

Accounts on Novelizing are non-transferable. Users may not sell, trade, or transfer their accounts to another individual or entity.
If an account is found to have been transferred without authorization, Novelizing may suspend or permanently terminate the account.
In the event of user death or incapacity, Novelizing reserves the right to determine the appropriate course of action regarding the account, including but not limited to content removal or transfer to an authorized representative.

By registering an account on Novelizing, you agree to abide by these policies, ensuring a secure, transparent, and community-driven experience for all users.

3. Content Ownership & Licensing

3.1 User Retains Full Ownership of Content

Authors retain 100% intellectual property (IP) rights over their work.
Posting content on Novelizing does not transfer ownership of your material to the platform.
Novelizing does not claim any exclusive rights to user-generated content beyond what is explicitly outlined in this section.

3.2 License Granted to Novelizing

By posting content on Novelizing, you grant the platform a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, revocable license to:

Host, store, and display your work on the website and mobile app.
Promote your content through excerpts, category listings, search functions, and algorithmic recommendations.
Distribute your content to readers who have unlocked premium access.

This license automatically terminates when you remove your content unless:

A user has already purchased or unlocked access to your content, in which case they retain access as per their purchase agreement (see 3.3).
Novelizing is required to retain portions of content for legal, archival, or compliance reasons (e.g., DMCA requests, fraud investigations).

3.3 Right to Remove Content at Any Time

Authors can delete or remove their content from Novelizing at any time.
If a user has paid for access to a chapter or story, they retain access even if the author removes it (unless a refund is issued or the content violates platform policies).
Novelizing reserves the right to remove content that violates its Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, or legal obligations.

3.4 Plagiarism, Copyright Violations & Unauthorized Reposting

Authors may only post content they own or have explicit permission to use.
Plagiarism or unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material will result in removal and may lead to account suspension or termination.
Any DMCA takedown requests will be processed per Novelizing’s DMCA Policy.
Novelizing reserves the right to temporarily or permanently disable access to infringing content while claims are reviewed.

By posting content on Novelizing, you affirm that you own or have the necessary rights to the work and that it does not violate copyright laws or infringe upon another creator’s intellectual property.

4. Monetization & Revenue Sharing

4.1 Revenue Streams for Authors

Novelizing provides multiple avenues for authors to earn revenue, ensuring a fair, adaptable, and sustainable monetization system. Authors may generate income through:

Subscription-based earnings – Revenue is distributed based on reader engagement and subscription tiers.
Advertising revenue share – Authors may receive a percentage of ad revenue generated from free chapters, subject to ad placement and platform policies.
Paid content access – Authors can offer premium content through a tiered subscription model or one-time purchases.
Reader tips and donations – Supporters may contribute directly to authors via integrated tipping features or third-party support platforms.

Novelizing does not guarantee any specific level of earnings, and revenue distribution is subject to platform engagement, reader activity, and overall market conditions.

4.2 Payment Processing & Revenue Distribution

Payments are processed through third-party payment providers such as PayPal, Stripe, or direct bank transfers.
Authors are responsible for providing and maintaining accurate payment details. Novelizing is not liable for failed transactions due to user errors, account restrictions, or third-party provider policies.
Revenue distribution:
Authors receive a majority share of earnings from premium content, while a portion is retained by Novelizing to cover operational costs, platform maintenance, payment processing fees, and infrastructure expenses.
Revenue shares are subject to change based on market conditions, operational adjustments, and industry standards.
Minimum payout thresholds apply, and transaction fees may be deducted before disbursement.
Payout schedules are determined by Novelizing and subject to processing times, fraud checks, and compliance reviews by payment providers.
Novelizing reserves the right to delay or withhold payouts if suspicious activity, fraud, or violations of platform policies are detected.

4.3 Tax & Compliance Responsibilities

Authors are solely responsible for understanding and complying with local, state, and international tax laws, including income tax, VAT, and other applicable levies.
Novelizing may require tax forms (e.g., W-9 for U.S. residents or W-8BEN for international authors) as a condition for receiving payments.
If legally required, Novelizing may withhold taxes or report earnings to tax authorities, including the IRS and other regulatory bodies.
Authors must ensure that tax information provided is accurate and up to date. Failure to submit required tax documentation may result in withheld earnings or account restrictions.
If government agencies request financial data for tax compliance, Novelizing may disclose necessary records in accordance with legal obligations.

4.4 Chargebacks, Disputes & Fraud Prevention

To maintain platform integrity, Novelizing enforces strict policies regarding chargebacks, fraudulent transactions, and revenue manipulation. If a reader disputes a payment or initiates a chargeback, Novelizing may:

Withhold disputed earnings from the author’s balance pending resolution.
Suspend or permanently revoke monetization privileges for accounts with repeated chargebacks.
Investigate fraudulent activity, including but not limited to:
Artificial inflation of views, subscriptions, or tips.
Use of fake accounts to manipulate earnings.
Engagement manipulation, review fraud, or deceptive monetization tactics.
If a chargeback is determined to be fraudulent, Novelizing reserves the right to recover lost funds from the author’s future earnings.
Refund requests for deleted or removed premium content will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account platform policies, reader complaints, and the author’s transaction history.
Novelizing reserves the right to permanently ban accounts engaged in fraudulent monetization practices and reclaim earnings associated with rule violations.

4.5 Monetization Restrictions

Certain content types and monetization practices are restricted or subject to additional review:

Fully AI-generated content is not eligible for monetization unless it has undergone significant human revision and complies with Novelizing’s AI Usage Policy.
NSFW content may be subject to regional restrictions and payment processor policies, which may impact an author’s ability to monetize such content.
Engagement farming, artificial traffic inflation, bot-driven interactions, or review manipulation are strictly prohibited.
Novelizing reserves the right to demonetize content that is deemed exploitative, deceptive, or in violation of community standards.
Payment processor limitations: Novelizing is not responsible for issues related to third-party payment providers, including but not limited to:
Account suspensions, frozen funds, or regulatory holds imposed by services like PayPal, Stripe, or banks.
Rejected payments due to compliance issues or country restrictions.
Legal disputes between users and payment providers, including chargebacks and transaction failures.
Novelizing reserves the right to modify or discontinue monetization programs at any time based on operational needs, regulatory changes, or payment processor restrictions.

4.6 Liability & Indemnification for Monetization

Novelizing does not guarantee revenue, continued monetization eligibility, or financial success.
By monetizing content on Novelizing, authors acknowledge and accept full responsibility for their earnings, taxes, and compliance with local laws.
Authors agree to indemnify and hold Novelizing harmless from any claims, liabilities, damages, or losses resulting from:
Tax non-compliance or financial reporting failures.
Chargeback disputes or reader complaints.
Loss of earnings due to platform policy changes or payment provider issues.
Content violations that lead to demonetization, suspension, or removal.
Novelizing reserves the right to withhold or reclaim payments in cases of fraud, Terms of Service violations, or legal non-compliance.

By participating in Novelizing’s monetization program, authors agree to these terms and acknowledge their responsibility to comply with financial, tax, and content policies. Novelizing reserves the right to update, modify, or discontinue monetization programs as needed to ensure legal compliance, operational sustainability, and platform integrity.

5. AI & Automated Content Policies

Novelizing acknowledges the evolving role of artificial intelligence in content creation but maintains strict policies to preserve the integrity of human-driven storytelling and protect the platform from potential legal, ethical, and quality risks.

5.1 AI-Assisted vs. Fully AI-Generated Content

AI-Assisted Writing – Authors may use AI tools for:
Editing, proofreading, and restructuring.
Brainstorming, outlining, and idea expansion.
Summarization and formatting assistance.
Disclosure is not required for AI-assisted content as long as the core creative effort remains human-driven and AI does not generate substantial portions of the work.
Fully AI-Generated Stories – Any work primarily or entirely written by AI must:
Be clearly labeled as AI-generated in the metadata, title, or description.
Not be monetized through Novelizing’s ad revenue, subscriptions, or tipping system.
Not receive platform promotional benefits, such as ranking boosts, featured slots, or algorithmic prioritization.

5.2 Transparency for Readers

AI-generated content must be clearly disclosed so that readers can make informed decisions about the material they engage with.
Novelizing may introduce filtering tools that allow readers to opt out of viewing AI-generated works.
Failure to properly disclose AI-generated content may result in penalties, including demonetization, content removal, or account suspension.

5.3 Prohibited AI Uses

The following AI-generated activities are strictly prohibited on Novelizing:

AI-generated reviews, comments, or forum posts – All community interactions must be entirely human-driven.
AI-generated engagement manipulation – Fake AI-generated ratings, reviews, or automated voting are prohibited.
Deceptive AI content – Using AI to generate misleading summaries, clickbait, or false metadata is strictly forbidden.
AI spam or automated posting – Any use of AI to mass-produce low-quality or spam content is not allowed.

5.4 AI-Assisted Translations

AI-generated translations must be human-reviewed before publication to ensure accuracy and readability.
If a translation has not been reviewed, it must be clearly labeled as AI-generated.
All translations require explicit permission from the original content owner unless the work is legally in the public domain.
Poorly translated or unreviewed AI-generated work may be removed or restricted from monetization.

5.5 Legal & Financial Consequences of AI Policy Violations

Failure to properly label AI-generated content or attempting to bypass AI disclosure rules constitutes a severe breach of Novelizing’s policies.

Authors violating AI disclosure rules agree that Novelizing is fully protected from any resulting legal claims or liabilities.
Novelizing reserves the right to remove, demonetize, or ban accounts that engage in deceptive AI practices.
If Novelizing is harmed financially or legally due to an author's failure to comply with AI policies, the author agrees to compensate Novelizing for damages, including but not limited to:
Legal fees and penalties incurred due to AI-generated misrepresentation.
Platform reputation damage and loss of revenue caused by AI content violations.
Costs associated with regulatory fines, lawsuits, or compliance measures resulting from AI misuse.

By using AI in content creation, authors agree to these policies and acknowledge that failure to comply may result in account suspension, legal liability, and financial penalties. These measures ensure fair competition, transparency, and a high-quality reader experience on Novelizing.

6. Content Restrictions & Prohibited Conduct

To maintain a high-quality, professional, and reader-friendly platform, Novelizing enforces strict content and conduct guidelines. Violations of these policies may result in content removal, demonetization, account suspension, or permanent bans.

6.1 Prohibited Content

The following types of content are strictly prohibited on Novelizing:

Illegal or infringing material – Content that violates copyright laws, promotes illegal activities, or infringes upon the intellectual property or rights of others.
Misleading or deceptive content – Clickbait titles, false advertising, or summaries that misrepresent the actual content of a story.
Violence and Discrimination – Any content that promotes violence, hatred, or discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, or other protected characteristics.
Glorification of violence, self-harm, or abuse – Including domestic violence, rape, suicide encouragement, or romanticizing self-harm.
Child exploitation or sexualization – Immediate and permanent ban for any content involving the abuse, mistreatment, endangerment, or sexualization of minors. No exceptions.
Non-fiction, manifestos, or political essays – Novelizing is a fiction-only platform. Discussions of real-world political, religious, or ideological issues are not permitted.
Excessive or gratuitous NSFW content –
NSFW content must be properly labeled.
Erotica as the primary focus is not permitted.
Depictions of incest, necrophilia, bestiality, or extreme sexual violence are banned.
Fake engagement & ranking manipulation – Artificial likes, votes, review swaps, bot-generated interactions, or other fraudulent engagement tactics are prohibited.

6.2 Content Warnings & NSFW Labeling

Stories containing graphic violence, sexual content, or disturbing themes must include appropriate content warnings.
NSFW content may be subject to regional restrictions based on local laws, platform policies, and payment processor limitations.
Failure to properly label NSFW content may result in content removal, demonetization, or account suspension.

6.3 Prohibited Conduct & Community Violations

Users must not engage in:

Harassment, threats, or doxxing – Targeting or revealing private information about other users.
Posting offensive, disruptive, or inflammatory content in forums, reviews, or discussions.
Brigading or coordinated attacks – Organizing mass reporting, spamming, or harassment campaigns.
Privacy violations – Sharing personal or sensitive information about others without consent.

6.4 Enforcement & Consequences

Novelizing reserves the right to:

Remove content that violates these rules, with or without prior notice.
Demonetize, suspend, or permanently ban accounts engaging in prohibited conduct or repeated violations.
Take legal action against users who engage in severe policy violations, including copyright infringement, harassment, or fraudulent activity.
Modify or restrict access to NSFW content at its discretion—if payment processors or local laws prohibit certain content types, Novelizing is not responsible for lost earnings.
Immediately remove content flagged for plagiarism, legal risks, or violations of platform policies.

6.5 Liability & Discretion

Novelizing does not verify the accuracy of user-generated works—fiction is created at the sole discretion of authors.
Some stories may contain controversial, graphic, or disturbing content—reader discretion is advised.
Novelizing is not responsible for emotional distress caused by consuming content on the platform.
Users should report content violations rather than engage in direct disputes with authors.

By using Novelizing, you agree to follow these guidelines to maintain a safe, professional, and engaging storytelling environment. Violations may result in account penalties, content removal, or permanent restrictions at Novelizing’s sole discretion.

7. Community Standards & Interaction Rules

To foster a positive, respectful, and drama-free environment, Novelizing enforces strict community interaction rules across forums, reviews, and discussions. Violations may result in content removal, account restrictions, demonetization, or permanent bans.

7.1 Respectful Behavior in Forums, Reviews, and Comments

Users must engage in discussions with civility and professionalism:

No harassment, bullying, or personal attacks – Critique the work, not the author.
No discrimination – Hate speech based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, or other protected characteristics will result in immediate account action.
No doxxing – Sharing private or personal information about anyone is strictly prohibited.
No trolling, baiting, or flame wars – This platform is for storytelling and creative discussion, not personal disputes or inflammatory arguments.

7.2 Authors Set the Rules in Their Spaces

Authors control their own story comment sections and may delete comments or restrict discussions as they see fit.
Authors may establish additional discussion guidelines (e.g., requiring constructive criticism only).
Readers must respect an author’s request to keep discussions on topic and free from harassment.

7.3 Review and Rating Guidelines

Reviews should help readers make informed decisions and provide meaningful feedback to authors:

All ratings must be justified – If you give a rating, explain why in a written review.
Stay on topic – Reviews should focus on the book itself, not the author’s personal beliefs, identity, or unrelated opinions.
No review-bombing or rating manipulation –
No brigading or coordinated downvotes.
No fake accounts created to boost or lower ratings.
Use the "Friendly Review" tag for mutual reviews – Transparency is required for review exchanges to prevent misleading engagement.

7.4 Spam Prevention & Self-Promotion Rules

No flooding discussions with self-promotion – Promoting your work is only allowed in designated spaces.
No excessive linking or off-topic promotion – All promotional content must be relevant to the conversation and comply with platform guidelines.
No solicitation or spamming – Users may not send unsolicited messages, comments, or promotions to other users.

7.5 No Ranking Manipulation

No fake engagement, alt accounts, or bots to artificially boost a story’s ranking.
Abusing the rating system or manipulating rankings in any way will result in demonetization, content removal, or account suspension.
Novelizing reserves the right to investigate and remove fraudulent engagement to maintain a fair and competitive platform.

By engaging in Novelizing’s community, you agree to uphold professionalism, respect, and fairness in all interactions. Failure to comply may result in warnings, content removal, demonetization, or permanent account bans at Novelizing’s sole discretion.

8. Copyright & DMCA Policy

Novelizing is committed to protecting the intellectual property rights of authors and ensuring that all content posted on the platform complies with copyright laws. Unauthorized use of copyrighted material is strictly prohibited and will result in content removal, account suspension, or permanent bans.

8.1 Ownership & Copyright Protection

Authors retain full ownership of their original content.
Users may not upload, share, or distribute any content they do not own or do not have explicit permission to use.
Plagiarism, unauthorized reposting, or derivative works created without permission will result in content removal, demonetization, and potential legal action.
Novelizing reserves the right to remove infringing content without prior notice and to cooperate with copyright holders in enforcing intellectual property rights.

8.2 DMCA Takedown Procedure

If you believe a work on Novelizing infringes your copyright, you may submit a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown request. Your request must include:

A detailed description of the copyrighted work.
The URL(s) of the infringing content on Novelizing.
Your contact information (name, email, physical address).
A statement of good faith asserting that you believe the content violates your copyright.
A statement under penalty of perjury that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on their behalf.
Your electronic or physical signature.

Requests must be submitted through Novelizing’s official DMCA submission process. Novelizing will review and process claims in accordance with U.S. copyright law and international copyright agreements where applicable.

8.3 Consequences for Copyright Violations

Novelizing enforces a three-strike system for copyright violations:

First Violation – Content removal and a formal warning.
Second Violation – Temporary account suspension and demonetization.
Repeated or Egregious Violations – Permanent account ban, removal of all content, and potential legal action.

Novelizing reserves the right to take immediate action against severe violations, including permanent bans without prior strikes if the infringement is intentional, commercial, or egregious in nature.

8.4 Counterclaim Process for Authors Accused of Copyright Infringement

If you believe your content was wrongfully reported and removed, you may submit a counter-notice that includes:

Your full legal name and contact information.
The URL(s) of the removed content.
A statement under penalty of perjury affirming that the content was wrongfully taken down and that you have the legal right to post it.
Your consent to jurisdiction in your country of residence (or in the jurisdiction where Novelizing operates) for any legal disputes related to the claim.
Your electronic or physical signature.

If the original complainant does not take legal action within 14 days, Novelizing may restore the content at its sole discretion.

8.5 Legal Disclaimer & Liability Protections

Novelizing is a hosting platform and does not actively monitor user-generated content for copyright violations.
Users are solely responsible for ensuring that their content complies with copyright laws.
Novelizing is not liable for copyright infringement committed by users but will comply with all legal obligations under the DMCA and other applicable copyright laws.
By posting content on Novelizing, users acknowledge that they are responsible for ensuring they have the rights to the material they publish.

Violations of Novelizing’s copyright policies will be handled swiftly and strictly, ensuring intellectual property protection for all content creators on the platform.

9. Account Termination, Suspension & Appeals

Novelizing reserves the right to suspend, demonetize, or permanently terminate accounts that violate platform policies. While we strive for fairness, maintaining platform integrity and user safety is our top priority. Violations may result in loss of access to earnings, content removal, or legal action where applicable.

9.1 Grounds for Account Suspension or Termination

Accounts may be suspended, demonetized, or permanently banned for the following reasons:

Violating content guidelines, including but not limited to plagiarism, prohibited content, ranking manipulation, or AI policy violations.
Engaging in harassment, threats, discrimination, or doxxing of other users.
Repeated DMCA takedown violations, indicating consistent copyright infringement.
Fraudulent activity, including but not limited to:
Chargeback abuse
Fake engagement (e.g., bot-generated views, manipulated ratings, review fraud)
Deceptive monetization practices
Circumventing bans or suspensions by creating new accounts after being banned.
Severe violations, including but not limited to illegal content, child exploitation, extreme harassment, or threats of violence.

Accounts terminated for severe violations will not be reinstated under any circumstances.

If an account is suspended for fraud, chargeback abuse, or deceptive practices, earnings may be withheld until the case is resolved.
Authors banned for policy violations permanently lose access to monetization and may not create a new account under a different name.

9.2 Warnings Before Permanent Bans

Most violations will receive a warning first, except in severe cases (e.g., child exploitation, doxxing, illegal activity, or fraud).
Repeat offenses may result in demonetization, content removal, or full account termination.
Severe violations may result in immediate, non-appealable bans.

9.3 Ban Appeals Process

Users may submit an appeal if they believe their suspension was unjustified. Appeals must include:

Acknowledgment of the reason for the suspension.
Relevant context or evidence disputing the decision.
Submission through Novelizing’s official support system.

Appeals will be reviewed fairly, but Novelizing is not obligated to reinstate accounts. The final decision is at Novelizing’s sole discretion.

9.4 Policy on Ban Evasion

Creating new accounts after being banned is strictly prohibited.
Evading a ban will result in permanent account deletion, forfeiture of earnings, and IP-based restrictions.
Users who attempt to bypass enforcement actions may face further legal or financial consequences if fraudulent activity is involved.

By using Novelizing, users agree to abide by these enforcement policies to maintain a fair, professional, and trustworthy platform. Violations may lead to permanent loss of access to the platform, legal action, or financial penalties where applicable.

10. Refunds & Chargeback Policy

Novelizing maintains a fair but firm policy regarding refunds and chargebacks to protect both authors and readers while preventing abuse of the payment system. All purchases are final unless otherwise stated, and chargeback abuse will result in severe penalties.

10.1 No Guaranteed Refunds on Memberships or Subscriptions

All purchases on Novelizing are final, and refunds are not guaranteed for:

Premium memberships (subscription-based access to exclusive content).
Paid chapters or one-time content unlocks.
Tipped donations made to authors.

Refund requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, but users should assume all purchases are non-refundable.

10.2 Refunds for Deleted Premium Content

If an author removes or deletes paid content that a reader has previously purchased:

Novelizing reserves the right to issue refunds at its sole discretion.
Refunds may be partial or full, depending on the circumstances of removal.
Refunds are not guaranteed if content was removed due to policy violations, fraud, or author account suspension.
If an author repeatedly removes paid content, they may lose monetization privileges or face account suspension.

10.3 Chargeback Consequences & Fraud Prevention

If a user files a chargeback through their bank or payment provider:

Their account may be temporarily suspended until the dispute is resolved.
Repeated chargebacks will result in permanent loss of monetization privileges and may lead to full account termination.
Fraudulent chargeback attempts (e.g., purchasing content, consuming it, and then demanding a refund) will result in immediate account bans and forfeiture of all earnings or balances.

10.4 Author Liability for Chargebacks

If a chargeback dispute is ruled against an author, the author must repay the disputed funds before re-enabling monetization.
Authors may be held financially responsible for excessive chargebacks and may have payouts withheld if repeated disputes occur.
Novelizing reserves the right to permanently revoke monetization for any author with a high chargeback rate.

10.5 Prohibited Monetization & Refund Manipulation

Users and authors may not:

Purchase their own content to create fraudulent earnings.
Engage in artificial refund requests to manipulate rankings or engagement metrics.
Encourage or facilitate refund requests in a way that violates platform integrity.

By making purchases on Novelizing, users agree to these refund and chargeback policies and understand that abusing the system may lead to account restrictions, financial penalties, or permanent suspension. Novelizing reserves the right to modify refund policies at any time to ensure a fair and sustainable payment system.

11. Data Privacy & Security

Novelizing is committed to protecting user data and ensuring compliance with global privacy laws while maintaining a secure and transparent platform. User privacy is a top priority, and Novelizing never sells personal data to third parties.

11.1 User Data Protection & Privacy Compliance

Novelizing complies with all applicable data protection laws, including but not limited to:

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (European Union)
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) (United States)
Other relevant international privacy laws

Key data protection principles:

User data is never sold to third parties.
Personal data is collected only for essential purposes, including account management, payment processing, security, and fraud prevention.
Users have the right to view, modify, or delete their personal data upon request.
All sensitive data is encrypted and stored using industry-standard security measures.

11.2 How We Collect & Use Data

Novelizing collects and processes only the data necessary for platform functionality and security. This may include:

Account details (e.g., username, email, profile information).
IP addresses and device identifiers (for security and fraud prevention).
Payment information (processed securely by third-party providers such as PayPal, Stripe, or banks; Novelizing does not store full payment details).
Activity logs (e.g., login history, purchase history, content uploads, interactions with the platform).

How data is used:

Security & account verification – Preventing unauthorized access, enforcing bans, and detecting suspicious activity.
Fraud prevention – Identifying fake accounts, chargeback abuse, and ranking manipulation.
Platform improvements – Optimizing features, detecting bugs, and enhancing user experience.
Analytics & feature development – Aggregate and anonymized data may be used for performance insights but never contains personally identifiable information.

11.3 Right to Request Account Deletion & Data Removal

Users may request full account deletion, subject to the following conditions:

Some data may be retained for legal, tax, and compliance reasons, such as transaction records.
Purchased content will remain accessible to buyers unless explicitly refunded.
Account deletion is permanent, and users will lose access to past purchases, memberships, earnings, and any stored content.
Requests for data removal will be processed within 30 days, in accordance with legal privacy frameworks.

11.4 Third-Party Integrations & Data Sharing

Novelizing may integrate with third-party services, including but not limited to:
Payment processors (e.g., PayPal, Stripe)
Authentication services (e.g., Google, Apple ID login)
Analytics providers (for internal performance tracking)
Third-party services operate under their own privacy policies, and users are encouraged to review them before using external services.
Novelizing is not responsible for data shared with third-party providers beyond the scope of essential transactions and integrations.

By using Novelizing, users acknowledge and consent to these data privacy practices while retaining full control over their personal information and account settings.

12. Liability & Disclaimer of Warranties

Novelizing provides its services on an "as is" and "as available" basis, without any express or implied warranties. Users assume all risks associated with the platform's use.

12.1 No Guarantees or Warranties

Novelizing does not guarantee uninterrupted, error-free, or secure service.
No warranties are made regarding the accuracy, reliability, or availability of the platform.
Novelizing is not responsible for any:
Data loss, corruption, or service downtime.
Technical failures, software bugs, or security breaches.
Content removals, moderation actions, or changes to platform policies.

12.2 Limitation of Liability

Novelizing is not liable for any indirect, incidental, punitive, special, or consequential damages, including but not limited to:

Loss of data, revenue, or business opportunities caused by platform issues or policy enforcement.
Payment processor issues, chargebacks, or fraudulent transactions affecting author earnings.
Actions of third parties, including external websites, advertisers, or payment services.
Legal disputes or claims against authors based on their content (e.g., defamation, copyright disputes, or privacy violations).

Liability Cap:

In all cases, Novelizing’s total liability is capped at the amount paid by the user in the past 12 months.
Users waive the right to sue Novelizing for content moderation decisions, including account suspensions, demonetization, or content removal.

12.3 Compliance with Legal Requests & Law Enforcement

If a government agency or law enforcement entity requires user data for a valid legal investigation, Novelizing may comply upon receiving a legally binding request (e.g., subpoena, court order).
Novelizing is not liable for any actions taken in response to legal obligations, including user data disclosures where required by law.

By using Novelizing, users acknowledge and accept all risks associated with the platform’s use and agree that Novelizing is not liable for damages, financial losses, or third-party claims resulting from their activity on the platform.

13. Indemnification Clause

By using Novelizing, users agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Novelizing, its owners, employees, affiliates, partners, service providers, and legal representatives from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorney fees and legal costs) arising from:

13.1 User-Generated Content & Copyright Compliance

Any content the user publishes, shares, or distributes on Novelizing, including but not limited to:
Copyright violations, plagiarism, or intellectual property disputes.
Defamation, libel, slander, or false statements that lead to legal claims.
Obscene, illegal, or prohibited content that violates laws or third-party rights.

13.2 User Behavior & Platform Interactions

Actions taken by the user on the platform, including but not limited to:
Harassment, threats, abuse, or discrimination against other users.
Fraudulent behavior, including fake engagement, chargeback abuse, or deceptive monetization practices.
Violations of Novelizing’s Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, or Content Policies.

13.3 Financial Responsibilities & Monetization Compliance

All financial obligations arising from the user’s monetization activities, including but not limited to:
Tax reporting and compliance (income tax, VAT, sales tax, or other applicable obligations).
Payment disputes, refund requests, chargebacks, or fraudulent transactions involving third-party payment processors.
Financial damages caused to Novelizing due to the user’s violation of payment terms or policies.

13.4 Legal Defense & Costs

If Novelizing is sued, investigated, fined, or subjected to legal action due to a user's content, actions, or regulatory violations, the user agrees to cover all associated costs, including:
Attorney fees, court costs, and settlements.
Fines, penalties, or damages awarded in lawsuits against Novelizing.
Costs incurred in complying with subpoenas, regulatory investigations, or enforcement actions.

13.5 Binding Nature of Indemnification

This indemnification obligation survives account termination or discontinuation of platform use. Users remain responsible for any claims arising from their past activity on Novelizing even after deleting their account.
Novelizing reserves the right to assume exclusive legal defense in any case where indemnification applies, with the user agreeing to cooperate fully in the legal process.

By using Novelizing, users acknowledge and accept full responsibility for their content, actions, and financial obligations and agree to indemnify Novelizing against all related claims, liabilities, and legal costs.

14. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

14.1 Legal Jurisdiction

Novelizing is governed by the laws of [Specify Jurisdiction, e.g., United States, United Kingdom], without regard to conflict of law principles.
By using Novelizing, users agree that any legal disputes must be resolved under the laws of the specified jurisdiction.

14.2 Dispute Resolution & Arbitration

Users must first attempt to resolve disputes informally by contacting Novelizing’s support team before initiating any legal proceedings.
If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, users agree to binding arbitration in the designated jurisdiction as the sole method of resolution.
Class-action lawsuits are expressly prohibited. Users waive their right to participate in any class-action claim against Novelizing, its owners, employees, or affiliates.
The arbitration decision will be final and binding, with no right to appeal.

14.3 International Compliance & User Responsibilities

Novelizing operates globally, and users are responsible for ensuring their content and activities comply with the laws of their own country.
Users must ensure their content does not violate local laws regarding:
Defamation, slander, or libel
Obscenity, pornography, or adult content restrictions
Copyright and intellectual property laws
Taxation or financial reporting requirements
If a user’s region restricts NSFW content, political material, or monetized online fiction, the user assumes all legal responsibility for ensuring compliance.
Novelizing is not liable for any legal disputes or penalties arising from a user’s failure to comply with local regulations.

14.4 Enforcement of Governing Law

In the event of a legal conflict, Novelizing’s governing law and jurisdiction take precedence over any conflicting regional laws.
If any provision of this agreement is found unenforceable under local laws, the remaining provisions remain in full effect.

By using Novelizing, users expressly agree to resolve all disputes through binding arbitration, waive their right to class-action lawsuits, and acknowledge that Novelizing’s governing law takes precedence in any legal matter.

15. Account Deletion & Data Retention

15.1 User-Initiated Deletion

Users may request to delete their account at any time by submitting a deletion request through Novelizing’s official support system.
Account deletion is permanent and irreversible. Once deleted:
All personal data, content, and account history will be removed.
Users will lose access to past purchases, subscriptions, and earnings.
Pending transactions or disputes must be resolved before an account deletion request is processed.

15.2 Retention of Data for Legal Compliance

Certain data must be retained by Novelizing even after account deletion to comply with legal, tax, and financial regulations, including but not limited to:
Transaction records and payment history for tax reporting.
Fraud prevention and chargeback investigation logs.
Legal compliance records, including DMCA requests and regulatory obligations.
Purchased content will remain accessible to buyers unless explicitly refunded or removed due to policy violations.

15.3 Rejoining After Deletion

Users who delete their account must create a new account if they wish to rejoin.
Previous purchases, memberships, and earnings will not be recoverable, and Novelizing will not reinstate lost content or financial balances from deleted accounts.
If a user was banned or had their account removed for policy violations, they may not create a new account unless explicitly permitted by Novelizing.

By requesting account deletion, users acknowledge and accept that data retention for legal purposes is required and that Novelizing is not responsible for lost access to prior content, earnings, or transactions.

16. Third-Party Services & External Links

Novelizing may integrate with, utilize, or provide links to third-party services, including but not limited to:

Payment processors (e.g., PayPal, Stripe, bank transfer services).
Advertising networks that provide monetization opportunities.
External websites, promotional tools, or affiliate services that authors may use to market their content.

16.1 Third-Party Liability

Novelizing is not responsible for the security, reliability, policies, or functionality of third-party services.
Users are solely responsible for complying with the terms and conditions of any third-party service they use through Novelizing.
If a third-party service experiences failures, security breaches, or policy changes, Novelizing bears no liability for any resulting issues, including but not limited to:
Loss of earnings due to payment processor restrictions or account suspensions.
Ad revenue loss due to external advertising policy changes.
Data breaches or privacy issues arising from third-party integrations.

16.2 Payment Processor Limitations

Novelizing does not control or influence the policies of payment processors.
If a payment processor declines, withholds, or reverses a transaction, Novelizing is not liable for lost earnings.
Users must address payment disputes directly with the payment provider.
By using external payment services, users acknowledge that Novelizing is not responsible for financial delays, account holds, or transaction failures imposed by third-party providers.

By engaging with third-party services through Novelizing, users accept all risks associated with external providers and acknowledge that Novelizing is not responsible for any disruptions, financial losses, or data security concerns caused by those services.

17. Changes to Terms of Service

17.1 Right to Update Terms

Novelizing reserves the right to update, modify, or replace these Terms of Service at any time, at its sole discretion.
Material changes will be communicated through official platform notifications, emails, or other reasonable means.
Changes take effect immediately upon publication unless otherwise specified.

17.2 User Acceptance of Updates

Continued use of Novelizing after an update constitutes full acceptance of the revised Terms.
If a user disagrees with the changes, their only recourse is to discontinue use of the platform.
Users are responsible for reviewing Terms of Service updates periodically to remain informed of current policies.

18. Refunds & Chargebacks for Incomplete Serialized Works

18.1 Refunds and No Guarantee of Completion

All sales are final, and purchases are considered delivered at the time of transaction. Refunds are not provided except where required by law or at Novelizing’s sole discretion. In cases of technical issues preventing access to purchased content, Novelizing may offer a resolution, which may include content replacement or a refund at its discretion.
Novelizing does not guarantee that serialized works, ongoing stories, or subscription-based content will be completed by the author.
By purchasing access to ongoing content, users acknowledge the risk that an author may discontinue, delay, or fail to finish a work.
Novelizing does not provide refunds for unfinished works unless explicitly stated in a promotional guarantee or policy exception.

18.2 No Liability for Unfinished Content

Novelizing is not responsible for an author’s commitment to serialized content.
Any disputes regarding unfinished works must be resolved between the author and their audience.

19. Arbitration & Dispute Resolution

19.1 Binding Arbitration Terms

All disputes, claims, or controversies related to Novelizing—including monetization, intellectual property, user interactions, and account enforcement—must be resolved through binding arbitration in the state of Wyoming, USA.
Arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or a similar recognized arbitration body.

19.2 Arbitration Costs

Novelizing will cover arbitration costs only if the ruling is in favor of the user.
If the ruling favors Novelizing, the user is responsible for all arbitration fees and legal expenses.

19.3 Waiver of Class Actions

Users waive their right to participate in class-action lawsuits against Novelizing.
All disputes must be handled on an individual basis.

20. Security & Liability for Hacked Accounts

20.1 User Responsibility for Account Security

Users are solely responsible for maintaining the security of their accounts and agree that Novelizing is not liable for unauthorized access caused by:

Weak passwords or failure to enable two-factor authentication.
Sharing login credentials with third parties.
Malware, phishing attacks, or hacks unrelated to Novelizing’s security systems.

20.2 Novelizing's Role in Security Incidents

Users must immediately report unauthorized access.
Novelizing may temporarily freeze an account to prevent further unauthorized transactions.
Novelizing is not responsible for stolen earnings or unauthorized withdrawals unless a platform-wide security breach is proven.

20.3 Fraudulent or Suspicious Activity

Novelizing reserves the right to permanently suspend accounts that engage in fraudulent activity, including:

Using stolen payment information.
Unauthorized access to another user’s account.
Chargeback fraud, suspicious payment reversals, or illegal transactions.

21. Monetization Restrictions for Fanfiction & Derivative Works

21.1 Fanfiction & Copyright Compliance

Fanfiction based on copyrighted works may not be monetized unless the author has explicit written permission from the copyright holder.
Fanfiction based on public domain works is allowed for monetization.
Copyrighted characters, settings, and intellectual property may not be used commercially without licensing agreements.
Unauthorized monetized fanfiction will be removed without notice, and authors may face legal liability.

21.2 Derivative Works & AI-Generated Content

Monetized content must be original unless explicitly labeled as an adaptation with proper licensing.
AI-generated works may not be monetized unless they comply with Novelizing’s AI Usage Policy, including significant human revision.

22. Digital Estate Management (Handling of Author Death)

22.1 Inheritance of Accounts & Earnings

If an author passes away or becomes incapacitated, their account and earnings may be transferred to a legal heir with valid documentation.
Heirs must provide:
A valid will or legal directive.
Court orders or power of attorney documentation to claim funds or manage content.

22.2 Content Ownership After Death

If no legal heir claims the account within 12 months, Novelizing may:

Retain the content as-is for archival purposes.
Remove the content upon verified request from family members.
Distribute earnings to a designated charity or as per governing estate laws.

22.3 Restrictions on Posthumous Monetization

Heirs who claim an account may not monetize new content under the deceased author’s name unless they provide evidence of co-authorship or legal ownership.

23. Review & Ranking Manipulation Policy

23.1 Prohibited Manipulation Tactics

Novelizing strictly prohibits:

Review Bombing – Coordinated negative reviews meant to harm an author’s ranking.
Artificial Rating Boosts – Paying users, using bots, or offering incentives for positive reviews.
Fake Accounts – Using multiple accounts to manipulate rankings, ratings, or engagement.

23.2 Consequences for Manipulation

First Violation – Formal warning and removal of fraudulent reviews or manipulated engagement.
Second Violation – Temporary demonetization of the affected work and possible ranking penalties.
Third Violation – Permanent account suspension, removal of all monetized content, and forfeiture of earnings.

Novelizing reserves the right to escalate enforcement actions immediately—including skipping warning steps—if the violation is severe, repeated, or intentionally deceptive.

23.3 Reporting Suspicious Reviews

Users may report review manipulation to Novelizing’s moderation team.
Novelizing reserves the right to adjust rankings, remove manipulated ratings, and take enforcement action.

24. AI-Generated Book Covers & Promotional Art Policy

24.1 AI-Generated Covers & Transparency

Authors may use AI-generated book covers only if they disclose this in the book’s metadata.
AI-generated covers cannot be falsely marketed as “hand-drawn” or “human-made.”

24.2 AI Art Monetization Restrictions

AI-generated illustrations or covers may be monetized only if they do not infringe on copyrighted art.
Any copyright violation or proven art theft will result in immediate content removal and potential account suspension.

25. Protection Against Piracy & Unauthorized Use

25.1 Intellectual Property Rights & Platform Content Protection

All content posted on Novelizing, including stories, images, user-generated discussions, and metadata, remains the intellectual property of its respective authors.
Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, or scraping of content from Novelizing is strictly prohibited.
Users may not copy, distribute, or commercially exploit any content from Novelizing without explicit written permission from the content owner or the platform.

25.2 Prohibited Uses

Users are strictly prohibited from:

Downloading, reproducing, or sharing content from Novelizing outside the platform without explicit written permission.
Using automated bots, scraping tools, or AI crawlers to extract, copy, or repurpose content. Any such scraping or unauthorized use by third-party entities is expressly forbidden.
Distributing content obtained from Novelizing on piracy sites, unauthorized platforms, or AI training datasets.

25.3 No Liability for Unauthorized Distribution

Novelizing is not responsible for piracy, unauthorized reposting, or infringement that occurs outside the platform.
If an author believes their content has been misused or stolen, they are solely responsible for taking legal action, including issuing DMCA takedown notices or seeking copyright enforcement through third-party legal channels.
Novelizing does not intervene in third-party disputes over stolen content and has no obligation to enforce copyright claims on behalf of users.

25.4 Enforcement & Legal Action

Novelizing reserves the right to monitor, investigate, and take legal action against any unauthorized use or infringement of content hosted on its platform.
Users found engaging in piracy, content scraping, or unauthorized distribution may face account suspension or permanent bans, and Novelizing may pursue legal action where applicable.
Novelizing cooperates with copyright enforcement agencies and may issue Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown requests for stolen or misused content at its discretion.
If you believe your content has been scraped or stolen from Novelizing, users may report the issue to platform moderators and file the necessary copyright enforcement reports.

25.5 User Responsibilities

By using Novelizing, users acknowledge that all content on the platform is legally protected and agree not to engage in, facilitate, or enable piracy, unauthorized sharing, or misuse of content.
Users bear full responsibility for protecting their intellectual property, enforcing their copyrights, and monitoring for unauthorized distribution.
Novelizing may provide guidance on submitting copyright enforcement requests but is not obligated to take action on behalf of content creators.

26. Amazon Affiliate

Novelizing participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, Novelizing earns from qualifying purchases.

27. User Agreement

By using Novelizing, users agree to abide by these Terms of Service and all applicable platform rules. Users acknowledge that these terms may be updated periodically and agree to comply with any revised terms as a condition of continued access to the platform.