GUILDS.
A coalition of independent magazines, imprints, and writers. Members pledge to keep their work free of AI and to treat writers fairly.
A coalition for independent magazines, imprints, and writers. Writers pledge not to use AI; presses pledge to pay fairly and use fair contracts.
Member-run and dues-light.
Human-made
Members pledge not to use generative AI in their stories or art, not to plagiarize, and not to sell reprints as new work.
Pay & rights
Member magazines pay for accepted work. A market that does not pay may not charge a submission fee. Contracts must meet a fair-terms standard with limited rights and reversion.
For writers
Members get a profile and a badge, nominate and vote in the annual GUILDS awards, and get a free entry to the annual writing contest.
Infractions record
A named board reviews anonymous reports and records only high-confidence findings, with the supporting evidence. Member presses can review each case themselves.
- My reputation, I will honorably guard. My time, I will not refuse. My thought, I will not grudge. My care, I will not deny.
- I will avoid all practices that degrade the safety and quality of honor.
- I will respect the hard-won knowledge of those in whose steps I walk, and gladly share my learning with those who follow in mine.
- I will defend dignity. I will value honor. I will respect all people regardless of their situation or condition.
- I understand that expediency is not an excuse for misconduct.
- I am accountable for my decisions and actions.
Writers
- No AI. No generative AI in my stories or art.
- No plagiarism. The work is my own.
- No reprints as new.I disclose a work's publication history honestly.
Publishers
- No AI prose. We do our best, in good faith, not to publish it.
- No AI art. A hard line — covers, interiors, promotion.
- Fair contracts. Limited rights, reversion, no hidden grabs.
- Pay writers.Or, if we can't pay, we charge no submission fee.
- Open the door. A real effort to publish new, unaffiliated writers.
- Transparency. Pay, response times, and AI policy stated openly.
Publishers— AI-screening education and tools, the full evidence-backed infractions record, and a say in the guild's direction and processes.
Writers— membership, voting rights in the annual awards, and a say in the guild's direction and processes.
guild · n. /ɡɪld/
a company of people bound by common craft, sworn to protect their trade and teach the next hands that take it up.
GUILDS · n. pl.
a coalition of independent magazines, imprints, and writers, committed to human-made work and fair terms.