I came across a blog post referring to an ethical author code. This, I believe, is an excellent way to show your readers, potential publishers and fellow writers that you consider these principals to be correct and worthy of upholding. Displaying the logo will enable everyone reading your blog to be in no doubt of your responsibility to your craft and those who come into contact with you.
Will you adhere to the code? Do you think it is a good idea, requires revision or unrealistic as a goal?
PLEASE Note – You require a membership to ALLi before you are able to display the logo/Badge.
Ethical Author Code
Guiding principle: Putting the reader first
When I market my books, I put my readers first. This means that I don’t engage in any practices that have the effect of misleading the readers/buyers of my books. I behave professionally online and offline when it comes to the following practices in my writing life:
Courtesy
I behave with courtesy and respect toward readers, other authors, reviewers and industry professionals such as agents and publishers. If I find myself in disagreement, I focus on issues rather than airing grievances or complaints in the press or online, or engaging in personal attacks of any kind.
Aliases
I do not hide behind an alias to boost my own sales or damage the sales or reputation of another person. If I adopt a pen name for legitimate reasons, I use it consistently and carefully.
Reviewing and Rating books
I do not review or rate my own or another author’s books in any way that misleads or deceives the reader. I am transparent about my relationships with other authors when reviewing their books. I am transparent about any reciprocal reviewing arrangements, and avoid any practices that result in the reader being deceived.
Reacting to reviews
I do not react to any book review by harassing the reviewer, getting a third party to harass the reviewer, or making any form of intrusive contact with the reviewer. If I’ve been the subject of a personal attack in a review, I respond in a way that is consistent with professional behavior.
Book Promotions
I do not promote my books by making false statements about, for example, their position on bestseller lists, or consent to anyone else promoting them for me in a misleading manner.
Plagiarism
I know that plagiarism is a serious matter, and I don’t intentionally try to pass off another writer’s words as my own.
Financial ethics
In my business dealings as an author, I make every effort to be accurate and prompt with payments and financial calculations. If I make a financial error, I remedy it as soon as it’s brought to my notice.
Responsibility
I take responsibility for how my books are sold and marketed. If I realize anyone is acting against the spirit or letter of this Code on my behalf, I will refer them to this Code and ask them to modify their behavior. See link: http://www.selfpublishingadvice.org/alli-campaigns/ethical-author/
November 25, 2014 at 7:08 pm
Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
LikeLike
November 26, 2014 at 6:40 am
Please note you need to be a member of Alli to display the logo/badge
LikeLike
November 25, 2014 at 5:37 pm
Reblogged this on Author Unpublished.
LikeLike
November 26, 2014 at 6:40 am
Please note you need to be a member of Alli to display the logo/badge
LikeLike
November 26, 2014 at 12:42 pm
I’m sure they can figure that out if they go to the original article and read it (which I’d hope they would).
LikeLike
November 26, 2014 at 1:44 pm
Yes we would hope so!
LikeLike
November 25, 2014 at 11:28 am
Reblogged this on Writing for the Whole Darn Universe.
LikeLike
November 26, 2014 at 9:07 am
Thanks for re-blog. Please note membership of ALLi is required for the badge.
LikeLike
November 26, 2014 at 10:45 am
Great! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
LikeLike
November 25, 2014 at 10:22 am
A great code Mandy. Especially as pertaining to reviews. I get so many temporary twitter followers that are review services. I have to say that the practice makes me sick.
LikeLike
November 25, 2014 at 11:23 am
Unfortunately those type of services are the result of greed on their part and hunger for reviews by novice authors/writers. Thank you for dropping by.
LikeLike
November 26, 2014 at 10:54 am
Consider this blog as “followed” 🙂
LikeLike
November 26, 2014 at 11:18 am
Thank you – appreciated! Happy writing
LikeLike
November 25, 2014 at 9:26 am
I’m curious as to whether you have to be an ALLi member to display the logo.
LikeLike
November 25, 2014 at 9:38 am
That’s a good question – however I feel the mandate is worth aspiring to.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 25, 2014 at 9:52 am
Oh, absolutely! I don’t think even ALLi realized how necessary this initiative was.
LikeLike
November 25, 2014 at 9:06 am
Reblogged this on chrismcmullen and commented:
There is also an ethical author badge that you can display on your site (for those who adhere to the code, of course). This is a great step toward branding a positive image for authors.
LikeLike
November 25, 2014 at 9:15 am
Thanks for the reblog, Chris. I have the logo/badge on my blog front page sidebar.
LikeLike
November 25, 2014 at 9:28 am
Hi, Mandy. I got a question on my reblog. Do you have to be an ALLi member to display the logo? (If so, what does that entail?) Kindly, Chris.
LikeLike
November 25, 2014 at 9:38 am
I will certainly check!
LikeLike
November 25, 2014 at 8:23 am
Like! Thnx! Hugzzzzz!
Namaste, Sharon McMullan-Baron
I am YOGA INSPIRED http://Www.yogainspired.wordpress.com
Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor specialties: include Yoga Thrive for cancer patients and survivors, MS, runners, gentle, restorative and corporate classes
>
LikeLike
November 24, 2014 at 11:42 am
What an awesome code put to words that any writer should adhere to and take to heart!! Thanks for sharing – I am going to repost on Dream Write blog. Thanks for your dedication and commitment to the craft of writing, the business of books, and the relationship between author and all others upon whom they depend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 24, 2014 at 12:30 pm
As a community we need to adhere to an ethical code to protect ourselves and our readers.
LikeLike