TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Last Updated: January, 2026

1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By engaging Hyphen Publishers ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") for any services, you ("Client," "you," or "your") agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before proceeding with any service agreement.

If you do not agree to these terms, do not use our services.

2. SERVICES PROVIDED

Hyphen Publishers offers the following services:

• Ghostwriting Services (fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, business books, children's books, history books, and other literary works)
• Book Publishing (formatting, ISBN assignment, distribution setup)
• Editorial Services (developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading)
• Design Services (book covers, interior layout, illustrations, video animation)
• Marketing and Promotion (book marketing campaigns, promotional materials)
• Printing Services (physical book production)
• Audiobook Production
• Distribution Channel Management

All services will be specified in a separate Service Agreement or Statement of Work, which will detail scope, deliverables, timelines, and pricing.

3. SERVICE AGREEMENTS AND SCOPE

3.1 Written Agreement

All projects require a written Service Agreement outlining:

• Specific services to be performed
• Project timeline and milestones
• Deliverables and specifications
• Payment terms and schedule
• Revision policy
• Any project-specific terms

3.2 Scope Changes

Any changes to the agreed scope must be requested in writing and approved by both parties. Additional fees may apply for scope changes, and timelines may be adjusted accordingly.

3.3 Client Responsibilities

Clients are responsible for:

• Providing necessary information, materials, and feedback in a timely manner
• Participating in scheduled consultations and interviews (for ghostwriting projects)
• Reviewing drafts and providing feedback within agreed timeframes
• Ensuring all provided content is original or properly licensed
• Obtaining necessary permissions for any third-party materials

4. PAYMENT TERMS

4.1 Pricing

Service fees are outlined in your Service Agreement. Prices are subject to change for new projects but remain fixed for ongoing projects once agreed upon.

4.2 Payment Schedule

Payment terms vary by project and will be specified in your Service Agreement. Standard structures include:

• Upfront Payment: Percentage due before work begins
• Milestone Payments: Payments due at specific project stages
• Final Payment: Due upon project completion

4.3 Late Payments

Late payments may result in:

• Project suspension until payment is received
• Late fees of 10% per month on overdue balances
• Withholding of final deliverables until full payment is received

4.4 Refund Policy

Refunds are handled on a case-by-case basis and are generally not provided for:

• Completed work
• Work in progress beyond the initial consultation phase
• Change of mind
• Client-caused delays or project abandonment

Specific refund terms will be outlined in your Service Agreement.

5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND COPYRIGHT

5.1 Ghostwriting Projects

For ghostwriting services:

• Copyright Transfer: Upon full payment, all rights to the manuscript transfer to the Client. The Client becomes the legal author of the work.
• Work-for-Hire: All ghostwritten content is considered "work made for hire" under copyright law, with the Client retaining full ownership.
• Confidentiality: We do not claim authorship or publicly disclose our involvement in ghostwritten projects unless explicitly agreed upon.

5.2 Design and Illustration

For design services:

• Copyright Transfer: Upon full payment, the Client receives full rights to custom designs, covers, illustrations, and layouts created specifically for their project.
• Third-Party Elements: Stock images, fonts, or other third-party elements may have separate licensing terms, which we will communicate to the Client.

5.3 Client-Provided Materials

Clients warrant that:

• All materials provided to us are original or properly licensed
• They have the legal right to use and authorize us to incorporate provided materials
• Their content does not infringe on any third-party intellectual property rights

5.4 Portfolio Usage

We reserve the right to showcase completed projects in our portfolio, website, and marketing materials unless the Client requests confidentiality in writing. For ghostwritten projects, we will not disclose our authorship without explicit permission.

6. CONFIDENTIALITY

6.1 Our Commitment

We treat all client information, manuscripts, personal stories, business details, and project communications as confidential. We will not disclose your information to third parties without your consent, except:

• To subcontractors who are bound by similar confidentiality obligations
• When required by law

6.2 Non-Disclosure Agreements

Upon request, we will sign a separate Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) for projects requiring additional confidentiality protection.

7. REVISIONS AND EDITORIAL PROCESS

7.1 Included Revisions

Each project includes a specified number of revision rounds as outlined in the Service Agreement. Revisions must:

• Be requested within the timeframe specified in the agreement
• Fall within the original project scope
• Be based on feedback provided during the approved review process

7.2 Additional Revisions

Revisions beyond the agreed scope or number may incur additional fees. Substantial rewrites or changes to previously approved content will be treated as new projects.

7.3 Client Feedback Timeline

Timely client feedback is essential. Projects may be subject to delays or additional fees if client feedback is not provided within agreed timeframes.

8. TIMELINES AND DELIVERY

8.1 Project Timelines

Estimated timelines are provided in good faith based on the agreed scope and client availability. Timelines depend on:

• Timely client feedback and approvals
• Availability of necessary materials from the client
• Agreed project milestones and payment schedule

8.2 Delays

We are not liable for delays caused by:

• Client failure to provide feedback or materials
• Changes to project scope
• Force majeure events (natural disasters, pandemics, etc.)
• Third-party service providers (printers, distributors, etc.)

8.3 Delivery Method

Deliverables will be provided electronically unless otherwise specified. Physical deliverables (printed books, etc.) will be shipped to the address provided by the Client.

9. PUBLISHING AND DISTRIBUTION

9.1 Publishing Services

When we provide publishing services:

• The Client retains all rights to their book
• We act as a service provider facilitating publication through various catalogues
• We are responsible for maintaining their author accounts on publishing platforms (Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, etc.)

9.2 Distribution Channels

We assist with setup on distribution channels but do not guarantee:

• Acceptance by specific retailers or libraries
• Sales performance or rankings
• Specific visibility or promotional placement

9.3 ISBNs and Metadata

If we provide ISBN assignment:

• The ISBN is assigned to the Client's book for the specified format
• Metadata (title, author name, description) is submitted as provided by the Client
• Changes to published metadata may incur additional fees

10. MARKETING SERVICES

10.1 No Guaranteed Results

Marketing services are provided to promote the Client's book, but we do not guarantee:

• Specific sales figures
• Bestseller status
• Media coverage or reviews
• Social media engagement metrics

10.2 Marketing Materials

All marketing materials created for the Client become their property upon full payment. We may showcase marketing campaigns in our portfolio unless confidentiality is requested.

11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

11.1 Service Limitations

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• Our liability is limited to the amount paid for services rendered
• We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• We are not responsible for the commercial success or market reception of published works

11.2 Content Liability

The Client is solely responsible for:

• The accuracy and legality of content in their book
• Ensuring content does not defame, infringe copyrights, or violate any laws
• Obtaining necessary permissions for quotes, images, or third-party materials
• Any legal issues arising from published content

11.3 Third-Party Services

We are not liable for issues arising from third-party services, including but not limited to:

• Printing quality issues from external printers
• Distribution platform policies or account suspensions
• Payment processing delays
• Hosting or technical issues with publishing platforms

12. TERMINATION

12.1 Client Termination

Clients may terminate services by providing written notice. In the event of termination:

• Payment for completed work is due immediately
• Partial refunds may be provided for unstarted work
• The Client receives deliverables for paid milestones

12.2 Company Termination

We reserve the right to terminate services if:

• The Client fails to make agreed payments
• The Client breaches these Terms and Conditions
• The Client requests work that violates laws or ethical standards
• The working relationship becomes untenable

12.3 Post-Termination

Upon termination:

• All outstanding payments become immediately due
• The Client receives work completed to date (upon payment)
• Confidentiality obligations continue

13. DISPUTES AND GOVERNING LAW

13.1 Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Florida, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.

13.2 Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute:

• Good Faith Negotiation: Parties agree to attempt resolution through good faith discussion
• Mediation: If negotiation fails, parties agree to pursue mediation before litigation
• Jurisdiction: Any legal proceedings shall be conducted in the courts of Orange County, Florida, or the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

14. INDEMNIFICATION

The Client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Hyphen Publishers, its employees, contractors, and agents from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from:

• Content provided by the Client
• The Client's breach of these Terms and Conditions
• Infringement of third-party intellectual property rights
• Legal issues arising from the published work

15. WARRANTIES AND DISCLAIMERS

15.1 Our Warranties

We warrant that:

• Services will be performed with professional skill and care
• Original work created by us does not infringe third-party copyrights
• We have the right to provide the agreed services

15.2 Disclaimers

We do not warrant that:

• Services will be uninterrupted and error-free
• All errors will be corrected (beyond agreed revision rounds)
• Published works will achieve commercial success
• Third-party platforms will accept or maintain published content

15.3 No Guarantee of Results

Writing, publishing, and marketing involve subjective and unpredictable elements. We make no guarantees regarding:

• Sales figures or revenue
• Critical reception or reviews
• Awards or recognition
• Specific search rankings or visibility

16. MISCELLANEOUS

16.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms and Conditions, together with any Service Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede all prior discussions or agreements.

16.2 Amendments

We reserve the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Changes will be posted on our website and apply to new projects. Ongoing projects remain subject to the terms agreed upon at project commencement.

16.3 Severability

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full effect.

16.4 Waiver

Failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision.

16.5 Assignment

The Client may not assign or transfer their rights or obligations under this agreement without our written consent. We may assign our obligations to qualified subcontractors.

16.6 Independent Contractors

Hyphen Publishers and the Client are independent contractors. Nothing in this agreement creates a partnership, joint venture, or employment relationship.

17. CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact:

18. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By engaging our services, you acknowledge that:

• You have read and understood these Terms and Conditions
• You agree to be bound by these terms
• You have had the opportunity to seek legal advice if desired
• You understand that specific project terms will be outlined in a separate Service Agreement