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Terms & Conditions

Please read and review the following terms and conditions carefully.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSIONS

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1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS By submitting your manuscript, book proposal, or artwork (collectively, the "Submission") to Third Coast Literary Press (and its imprints) ("the Press," "we," "us"), you ("the Author," "you") agree to be legally bound by these Submission Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree, do not submit your work.

 

2. ELIGIBILITY & AGE RESTRICTIONS You must be at least 18 years of age to submit. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must submit on your behalf and agree to these terms.

 

3. COPYRIGHT & OWNERSHIP 3.1 Author Retains Rights: You retain full copyright ownership of your Submission. Submitting your work does not transfer intellectual property rights to the Press. 3.2 License to Review: You grant the Press a temporary, non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to read, review, copy, evaluate, and internally distribute your Submission for editorial consideration. 3.3 No Publication Without Separate Contract: The Press will not publish, print, distribute, or sell your Submission without a separate, mutually signed Formal Publishing Agreement.

 

4. ORIGINALITY & WARRANTIES You warrant and represent that: - You are the sole creator and undisputed legal owner of the Submission. - The Submission is entirely original and does not infringe upon any third-party copyright, trademark, or privacy rights. - The Submission contains no libelous, defamatory, or unlawful material. - The Submission has not been generated, in whole or in part, by Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.

 

5. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES & FEES

5.1 Reading Fees: All reading fees or submission fees paid through our platform are strictly non-refundable, regardless of whether the Submission is accepted or rejected. 5.2 Formatting: Submissions must strictly follow our formatting guidelines. The Press reserves the right to reject without review any Submission that violates these guidelines. 5.3 Simultaneous Submissions: We accept simultaneous submissions, provided you notify us immediately if the work is accepted elsewhere.

 

6. EDITORIAL DECISIONS & COMMUNICATION 6.1 Absolute Discretion: The Press retains absolute editorial discretion. All decisions to accept or reject a Submission are final. The Press is under no obligation to provide detailed feedback, critiques, or reasons for rejection. 6.2 Response Windows: While we aim to respond within 3-6 months, response times are estimates. The Press is not liable for delays in reviewing your work.

 

7. SIMILARITY CLAUSE (PROTECTION AGAINST LIABILITY) 7.1 You acknowledge that the Press receives a high volume of submissions. It is possible that your Submission may contain themes, plots, characters, or ideas similar to other projects currently under development by the Press or other authors. You agree that you will not be entitled to compensation, nor will you pursue legal action, if a project published by the Press inadvertently resembles your Submission. 7.2 Selection Committee Immunity & Release of Liability- By entering the Book of the Year contest, the Author expressly acknowledges that the Press utilizes a tiered review structure consisting of independent first readers, editorial staff, and an external Selection Committee (including guest authors and industry chairs) to evaluate the top three finalists. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Author hereby releases, acquits, and forever discharges the individual members of the Selection Committee, guest judges, and independent editorial readers from any and all personal liability, claims, or demands arising out of: (a) Editorial choices, scoring, or decisions regarding which manuscripts advance to the Top 10, Top 3, or the final Grand Prize winner. (b) The text-based developmental feedback provided to the finalists. (c) Claims of conceptual theft or plot similarity, as protected under the Similarity Clause in Section 7.1. 7.3 Finality of Decisions The Selection Committee's evaluations are entirely subjective and legally final. Committee members are independent creative agents and do not act as legal representatives or employees of the Press. The Author agrees that they have no legal right to review individual scorecards, internal reader notes, or committee communications.

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8. INDEMNIFICATION You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Press, its editors, employees, and affiliates from any claims, liabilities, damages, or costs (including legal fees) arising out of a breach of your warranties in Section 4.

 

9. GOVERNING LAW These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of home state and county of the Press, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

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10. ORGANIZATIONAL INDEPENDENCE & RELATIONSHIP TO THIRD COAST FESTIVAL 10.1 Independent Corporate Entities: Third Coast Literary Press LLC ("the Press") and the Third Coast Author & Book Festival held in Grand Haven, Michigan ("the Festival") are completely independent, separate, and distinct legal and corporate entities. 10.2 Collaborative Arrangement: While the Press maintains a collaborative marketing and promotional working arrangement with the Festival (including, but not limited to, utilizing the Festival as a launch venue for the Press's "Book of the Year" prize), neither entity is an agent, partner, joint venture, parent company, or employee of the other. 10.3 Separate Legal Liability: The Press holds no ownership stake in the Festival, and the Festival holds no ownership stake in the Press. Neither entity is legally or financially responsible for the actions, omissions, contracts, debts, negligence, event cancellations, or liabilities of the other. 10.4 Festival Attendance Disclaimer: Any prizes, residencies, or launch opportunities involving attendance at the Festival are subject to the Festival’s independent operational guidelines, safety rules, and event schedules. The Press is not liable for any injuries, losses, or disruptions experienced by an author while attending, traveling to, or participating in the Festival.

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​WRITER RETREATS & RESIDENCIES: TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

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1. CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT By submitting a deposit, paying a registration fee, or accepting an awarded residency slot (including the "Book of the Year" prize residency) with Third Coast Literary Press ("the Press," "we," "us"), you ("the Attendee," "Resident," "you") agree to be legally bound by these Retreat & Residency Terms and Conditions.

 

2. PAYMENT STRUCTURE, CANCELLATIONS, & REFUNDS 2.1 Payment Schedule: For paid intensive retreats, a non-refundable deposit is required to secure your room. Full payment must be received 90 days prior to start. Failure to pay balances on time results in immediate forfeiture of your slot and deposit. 2.2 Guest Cancellations: - Cancellations 90 days or more before the start date will receive a refund of any amounts paid, minus the non-refundable deposit. - Cancellations made less than 90 days before the start date are strictly non-refundable. 2.3 Press Cancellation & Force Majeure: If the Press must cancel a retreat due to act of God, extreme weather, public health emergencies, or venue closure, we will refund all fees paid to the Press. The Press is not responsible for non-refundable travel expenses, flight cancellations, or incidental costs incurred by the Attendee. (We strongly recommend purchasing independent travel insurance).

 

3. ACCOMMODATIONS & THIRD-PARTY LODGING DISCLAIMER 3.1 Independent Lodging Partners: Accommodations are hosted at third-party properties (including, but not limited to, the Harbor House Inn, the Holiday Inn, AirBNB venues). Attendees agree to abide by all independent property rules, smoking bans, quiet hours, and checkout times established by the venue. 3.2 Property Damage Liability: Attendees are solely and personally liable for any damage caused to the lodging facility, room furnishings, or common areas during their stay. The Press is not responsible for charges, fees, or fines assessed by the venue due to Attendee negligence.

 

4. HEALTH, SAFETY, & CODE OF CONDUCT 4.1 Expected Behavior: Our retreats are designed to be safe, supportive spaces for creative work. Harassment, discrimination, abusive language, or disruptive behavior toward staff, venue employees, or fellow writers will not be tolerated. 4.2 Immediate Dismissal: The Press reserves the absolute right to expel any Attendee from the retreat premises immediately, without warning or refund, for violating the Code of Conduct or engaging in illegal activity. 4.3 Health & Medical: Attendees are responsible for their own health, medical needs, and medications. The Press does not provide medical staff or medical insurance.

 

5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY & INDEMNIFICATION 5.1 Assumption of Risk: You voluntarily assume all risks related to traveling to, participating in, and lodging during the retreat, including risks of personal injury, illness, property loss, or theft. 5.2 Total Liability Cap: To the maximum extent permitted by law, the maximum aggregate financial liability of Third Coast Literary Press to any Attendee for any claim arising out of the retreat shall not exceed the total amount actually paid by the Attendee to the Press. 5.3 Student Indemnification & Hold Harmless The Attendee agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold completely harmless Third Coast Literary Press, its owners, employees, agents, and independent contractors (including, but not limited to, workshop instructors, guest authors, and manuscript consultants) from and against any and all claims, lawsuits, damages, costs, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or related to: (a) The Attendee’s physical presence, behavior, or actions at the retreat or residency. (b) Any physical damage, theft, or loss caused by the Attendee to the lodging facilities (e.g., Harbor House Inn) or workshop venues. (c) Any breach by the Attendee of the health, safety, and Code of Conduct rules outlined in Section 4. 5.4 Assumption of Creative Risk & Release of Claims The Attendee acknowledges that literary workshops involve active peer critique, rigorous editorial feedback, and the open sharing of creative work. The Attendee voluntarily assumes all emotional and creative risks associated with receiving professional criticism. The Attendee hereby releases the Press and its individual instructors from any liability or claims regarding professional negligence, emotional distress, or dissatisfaction with editorial critique, workshop content, or career outcomes.

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6. PHOTOGRAPHY & MEDIA RELEASE The Press may take photographs, audio recordings, or video during retreat workshops and public readings for marketing and promotional use. By attending, you grant the Press a royalty-free, perpetual license to use your likeness in digital or print marketing material, unless you explicitly opt out in writing prior to the retreat start date.

 

7. INDEPENDENCE FROM THE THIRD COAST FESTIVAL As detailed in our corporate framework, these retreats are operated solely by Third Coast Literary Press. The Third Coast Author & Book Festival in Grand Haven bears no legal, operational, or financial liability for any incident occurring during a Press retreat or residency.

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INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS & INDEMNIFICATION

X.1 Independent Contractor: The Instructor performs all services as an independent contractor, not as an employee, partner, or joint venturer of Third Coast Literary Press ("the Press"). The Instructor is solely responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and professional conduct. X.2 Instructor Indemnification: The Instructor agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Press, its directors, employees, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or resulting from: (a) Any breach of this Agreement or warranties made by the Instructor. (b) Any negligent acts, omissions, or willful misconduct by the Instructor during the retreat, workshops, or residency events. (c) Any claims of defamation, slander, or intellectual property infringement arising from materials or lectures presented by the Instructor. X.3 Limitation of Venue Liability: The Instructor acknowledges that workshops are held at third-party venues (e.g., the Harbor House Inn). The Instructor agrees to comply with all venue rules and assumes personal financial liability for any physical damage they cause to the venue property.

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  • Section 1: Acceptance, Fees, and Submission Discretion (Age verification, paid feedback disclaimers, and de-anonymization rules).

  • Section 2: Intellectual Property, Similarity, and Peer Review (Review licenses, similarity protections, and the "Pier Review" portal rules).

  • Section 3: Retreats, Residencies, and Physical Liability (Harbor House Inn lodging terms, travel insurance shifting, transit, and alcohol rules).

  • Section 4: Releases, Indemnification, and Organizational Separation (Media capture rights, student indemnification, and independence from the Grand Haven festival).

  • Section 5: Extended Operational and Legal Safety Clauses (Prize alterations, estate releases, and data retention rules).

  • Section 6: Regulatory, Technical, and Corporate Protections (COPPA compliance, digital accessibility/ADA rules, and crowdfunding disclaimers).

  • Section 7: Extended Commercial, Distribution, and Asset Protections(Consignment swag rules, sequel options, and derivative film/streaming rights).

  • Section 8: Final Financial, Administrative, and Anti-Fraud Safeguards (IRS tax compliance, prize clawbacks, and city permit/municipal force majeure rules).

  • Section 9: Last-Mile Physical, Digital, and Licensing Immunities (Dispersed venue navigation and cross-imprint isolation).

  • Section 10: Influencer, Reviewer, and Social Media Immunities (ARC embargoes, FTC disclosures, extortion protections, and reviewer independence).

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Acceptance, Fees, and Submission Discretion

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1.1 Acceptance of Terms

By submitting any manuscript, book proposal, sample chapter, or artwork (collectively, the "Submission") to Third Coast Literary Press ("the Press," "we," "us"), or by registering for any writing academy course, retreat, or residency, you ("the Author," "Attendee," "you") agree to be legally bound by these comprehensive Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree to these terms, you must immediately cease all use of our submission portals, digital platforms, and physical programs.1.2 Multi-Tiered Entry Fees & Non-Refundability All submission fees, registration deposits, and entry fees—including standard fees, the $75 critique tier, and full retreat tuition balances—are strictly non-refundable once paid or upon the commencement of manuscript reading by our staff. 1.3 Editorial Discretion & Paid Critique Disclaimers For submission tracks that include professional editorial feedback (including, but not limited to, the $75 entry tier):

  • The feedback provided represents the subjective, creative, and professional opinion of our senior editors, readers, and manuscript consultants.

  • The Press makes no warranties or guarantees regarding the nature, tone, length, or alignment of this feedback with the Author's personal expectations.

  • The provision of critical editorial notes does not constitute professional negligence, emotional harm, or breach of contract.

  • Disapproval of or dissatisfaction with the editorial opinions rendered does not entitle the Author to a refund or give rise to a credit card chargeback dispute.

1.4 Absolute Discretion and Finality of Decisions

The Press retains absolute editorial and operational discretion. All decisions to accept, reject, short-list, or select finalists for publication or prizes are final and unappealable. The Press is under no obligation to provide detailed scorecards, internal reader communications, or specific justifications for its editorial rejections. 1.5 Right of First Refusal for Shortlisted Submissions. In consideration for being evaluated for the "Book of the Year" prize, the Author grants the Press an exclusive Right of First Refusal to acquire the publishing rights to any manuscript selected as a Top 10 Shortlisted piece or a Top 3 Finalist piece. This exclusivity window shall extend for exactly sixty (60) days following the public announcement of the shortlist. During this period, the Author agrees not to enter into any publishing agreement, representation agreement, or option contract with any third-party publisher or literary agent regarding the submitted manuscript without giving the Press the opportunity to match or exceed the terms of the third-party offer.1.6 Generative AI Prohibition & Copyrightability Warranty
The Press mandates that all Submissions must be written entirely by human authors. The use of Generative AI tools (including but not limited to ChatGPT, Claude, or automated text-generation software) for writing, plotting, or structural prose composition is strictly prohibited. The Author warrants that the Submission is fully eligible for complete, unencumbered copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office. A breach of this warranty voids any contest placement, requires immediate forfeiture of prize money, and constitutes grounds for immediate contract termination with cause.1.7 Liberty of Content and Libel Defenses
If a Submission relies on real-life events, living individuals, or memoir elements, the Author warrants that the text does not defame, slander, or unlawfully infringe upon the privacy, publicity, or personal rights of any third party. The Author explicitly guarantees that all necessary legal permissions, releases, or deep-text anonymizations have been completed prior to submission. The Press assumes zero responsibility for verifying the factual or legal safety of biographical or semi-autobiographical elements within a manuscript.1.8 Strict Age Requirements and COPPA Safeguards
All platforms, writing academies, and submission portals operated by the Press are strictly intended for individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years of age. The Press does not knowingly collect, screen, or store data from children under the age of thirteen (13), in strict compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Any submission discovered to have been uploaded by a minor under 18 without explicit, verified, written parental or legal guardian consent will be immediately deleted, and any associated contest entry or residency slot will be permanently revoked without refund.1.9 Digital Accessibility and Accommodations Disclaimer. The Press is deeply committed to inclusivity and strives to maintain an accessible digital environment across our web platforms. If an Author or Attendee utilizes assistive technologies (such as screen readers or voice-activation software) and experiences structural barriers within our submission workflows or portal interfaces, they are urged to contact our support team at hello@thirdcoastliterarypress.com. The Author agrees to utilize our alternative manual submission methods as a reasonable accommodation in lieu of pursuing legal remedies under digital public accommodation frameworks or Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).1.10 Pre-Order and Crowdfunding Fulfillment Disclaimers. Any financial transactions relating to advance book pre-orders, special editions, or crowdfunding campaign pledges represent support for the artistic development lifecycle of a manuscript. While the Press acts in good faith to meet targeted release dates for our imprints, all stated distribution windows are estimates only. The Press assumes no liability for supply-chain bottlenecks, manufacturing shortages, or freight delivery failures. Pre-order transactions do not constitute an absolute guarantee of specific delivery dates, and delayed fulfillment does not give rise to claims of consumer fraud or immediate transaction chargebacks. 1.11 Option Clauses and Subsequent Work Protections
By accepting selection as a Contest Finalist or the ultimate "Book of the Year" Grand Prize Winner, the Author explicitly grants the Press an exclusive, first-negotiation Option Right to acquire the publishing, print, and audio rights for the Author’s next full-length manuscript. The Press shall have an exclusive window of ninety (90) days from submission of the new manuscript to evaluate and present an industry-standard publishing offer before the Author may submit the work to outside agents, alternative digital networks, or competing literary presses. 1.12 Prize Disbursement Conditions and Tax Compliance Warranties. Final disbursement of the $20,000 "Book of the Year" cash prize or any associated monetary honorariums is strictly contingent upon the recipient providing a fully executed, accurate IRS Form W-9 (for U.S. citizens/residents) or Form W-8BEN (for international authors). The Author acknowledges that all prize earnings are subject to applicable federal, state, and local income tax laws. The Press will issue an IRS Form 1099-MISC reporting the prize income as legally mandated. The Press reserves the absolute right to withhold any required percentages from the prize payout if necessary to comply with backup withholding regulations or foreign national tax treaties. 1.13 Author Responsibility for Anonymization and Disqualification Rights. Where a submission track or contest tier specifies a "blind" or anonymized evaluation process, it is the sole and exclusive responsibility of the Author to ensure that no identifying metadata, header text, cover page data, or identifying biographical elements exist within the uploaded manuscript file. The Press utilizes an automated software ingestion system and paid reader teams. If a file is de-anonymized due to the Author’s failure to strip metadata or clear identifying textual indicators, the Press reserves the absolute right to either evaluate the file "as-is" without liability for implicit bias, or disqualify the entry immediately. Disqualifications resulting from an Author's failure to anonymize their file do not give rise to a fee refund. 1.14 Cross-Imprint Isolation and Independent Slate Disclaimers
Rejection of a manuscript within the "Book of the Year" contest or a specific imprint submission window (including, but not limited to, Azure & Gold, Black Fly, Wicked Tides, or Singing Sands Audio) applies strictly to that specific evaluation track. A rejection does not establish an automatic permanent bar against the Author submitting alternative, heavily revised, or distinct creative projects to separate Press imprints through standard query channels. Conversely, a rejection by one imprint editor represents an isolated, subjective editorial choice; it does not guarantee that other cross-functional imprints will track, cross-reference, or automatically accept or reject the Author's separate intellectual property. 

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2.1 Copyright Ownership. The Author retains full copyright ownership of their original Submission. Submitting your work to the Press does not transfer intellectual property rights or ownership to us. 2.2 License to Review The Author grants the Press a temporary, non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to read, copy, evaluate, transmit, and internally distribute the Submission among our editorial staff, first readers, and selection committee members for evaluation purposes. This evaluation license terminates automatically upon formal rejection of the manuscript. 2.3 No Publication Without Separate Contract. The Press will not print, publish, distribute, or sell your Submission in any format (print, digital, or audio through our traditional imprints such as Azure & Gold, Wicked Tides, or Singing Sands Audio) without a separate, mutually executed, formal written Publishing Agreement. Selection as a contest winner or finalist does not guarantee immediate publication; final publication is strictly contingent upon the author executing our standard contract and completing required editorial revisions. 2.4 Similarity Clause (Protection Against Concept Liability) The Author acknowledges that the Press receives a high volume of submissions within upmarket genre fiction, book club fiction, and commercial literature. It is highly probable that your Submission may contain themes, tropes, plots, structures, characters, or ideas similar to other projects currently under development by the Press, its imprints, or independent authors. The Author agrees that they will not be entitled to compensation, nor will they pursue legal action, if a project subsequently published by the Press inadvertently resembles their Submission. 2.5 Peer-to-Peer Non-Disclosure & IP Waiver ("Pier Review" & Workshops)

By participating in Writing Academy courses, intensive workshops (including the Seedling Series or Skeleton Series), or utilizing the Pier Review member portal, the Attendee agrees to keep all fellow participant manuscripts, plot arcs, and shared workshop drafts strictly confidential.

  • Attendees are strictly prohibited from copying, distributing, or financially exploiting any creative concepts shared by peers in a workshop environment.

  • The Press acts solely as a facilitator of creative education and exercises no direct oversight over individual attendee behavior.

  • The Press disclaims all legal and financial liability for any intellectual property theft, copyright infringement, or unauthorized digital distribution of work perpetrated by one participant or attendee against another.

2.6 User-Generated Content Rules & DMCA Compliance
The Press does not pre-screen or verify text files uploaded to the Pier Review community workspace. Users assume absolute legal responsibility for the legal safety of what they share. The Press maintains a zero-tolerance policy for hate speech, harassment, graphic violence, or material that infringes on a third party’s privacy or copyright. We reserve the absolute right to permanently delete any digital file and revoke workspace access immediately, without a refund, if a member violates these boundaries. If you believe your copyrighted work has been uploaded without authorization, please submit a formal takedown notice to our designated agent at hello@thirdcoastliterarypress.com. 2.7 Trademark Infringement and Clear Title Indemnity. The Author warrants that the title, series branding, and promotional concepts associated with the Submission do not infringe upon any active corporate trademarks, business names, or commercial trade dress held by third parties. The Author assumes sole financial and legal responsibility for conducting preliminary title and trademark availability checks. If the Press incurs financial damages, legal cease-and-desist actions, or inventory destruction costs due to a trademark conflict hidden within an acquired manuscript, the Author shall completely reimburse the Press for all associated corporate losses and legal fees. 2.8 Reservation of Auxiliary and Derivative Media Rights. While the Author retains underlying artistic ownership as outlined in Section 2.1, the initial submission and contest entry frameworks establish that if a manuscript is officially selected for traditional publication under any Press imprint, the Press shall retain exclusive worldwide sub-licensing management over all auxiliary derivative formats. This includes, but is not limited to, dramatic stage adaptations, film screenplays, television or streaming options, foreign language translations, and merchandising rights. Revenue splits for such auxiliary exploitations shall be bound by our separate Master Traditional Publishing Agreement. 2.9 Prize Clawback and Inventory Destruction Cost Liability. If, subsequent to winning the "Book of the Year" prize or achieving publication under a Press imprint, a manuscript is discovered to contain plagiarized text, uncleared archival material, or unauthorized copyright infringements, the entry shall be deemed fraudulent. The Author shall immediately forfeit all titles and awards and must return the full $20,000 prize amount to the Press within thirty (30) days of written notice. Furthermore, the Author assumes absolute personal liability for all commercial damages incurred by the Press, including book recall expenses, physical inventory destruction costs, and distributor penalties assessed by global wholesale networks. 2.10 Sole-Authorship and Clear Attribution Warranties
The submitting Author warrants that they are the single, unassisted creator of the prose submitted, or that they hold the absolute, unencumbered, exclusive right to exploit the entirety of the text. If the Submission was created with the assistance of a ghostwriter, work-for-hire collaborator, or co-creator, the Author warrants that all underlying intellectual property rights have been fully assigned to the submitting Author via a signed, written contract prior to entry. The Author shall fully indemnify the Press from any third-party attribution demands, royalty disputes, or ownership injunctions brought by uncredited collaborators.

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3.1 Third-Party Lodging Disclaimer

Accommodations provided for writing intensives, residencies, and contest finalist packages are hosted at independent, third-party properties, including but not limited to the Harbor House Inn. Attendees agree to strictly abide by all independent property rules, smoking bans, quiet hours, checkout times, and safety guidelines established by the venue. 3.2 Property Damage Liability Attendees are solely, personally, and financially liable for any damage caused to the lodging facilities, room furnishings, common areas, or historic grounds during their stay. The Press is not responsible for charges, cleaning fees, or repair fines assessed by the lodging provider due to Attendee negligence or misconduct. 3.3 Travel, Cancellations, and Force Majeure

If the Press must cancel or postpone a retreat or residency due to an act of God, extreme winter weather, public health emergencies, or third-party venue closures, the Press will issue a refund of fees paid directly to the Press. The Press assumes zero financial liability for non-refundable travel expenses, flight cancellations, train tickets, or incidental travel costs incurred by the Attendee. (The Press strongly encourages all participants to secure independent travel insurance). 3.4 Alcohol Consumption & Off-Premises Release. While the Press coordinates networking meals, group dinners, and open-mic events at independent local venues in Grand Haven (including, but not limited to, Snug Harbor), the consumption of alcoholic beverages is completely voluntary and restricted to individuals of legal age.

  • Attendees assume all personal liability for their own physical safety, behavior, and subsequent transportation.

  • The Press, its instructors, and its corporate affiliates are not responsible for any personal injuries, vehicular accidents, property damage, or legal infractions arising from an attendee’s voluntary consumption of alcohol or travel between off-site local venues.

3.5 Code of Conduct & Immediate Dismissal. Our physical residencies and digital portals are designed to be safe, supportive spaces. Harassment, discrimination, abusive language, or disruptive behavior toward staff, venue employees, instructors, or fellow writers will not be tolerated. The Press reserves the absolute right to expel any Attendee from the retreat premises or digital portals immediately, without warning or refund, for violating this Code of Conduct.3.6 Medical Emergency Disclaimer & Health Insurance Attestation. The Press provides artistic instruction and community events; we do not provide medical staff, triage, or health insurance coverage of any kind. Attendees are strictly required to maintain their own valid health insurance. In the event of a physical injury, illness, or medical crisis during a residency or workshop, the Attendee authorizes Press staff to contact local emergency services (911). All financial costs, ambulance fees, hospital bills, and medical liabilities resulting from emergency intervention are the sole responsibility of the Attendee.3.7 Third-Party Vendor Interdependency Buffer. Attendees acknowledge that the physical operations of our residencies are strictly bound by the commercial contracts executed between the Press and our venue partners (e.g., the Harbor House Inn). If a force majeure event forces the postponement or restructuring of a residency, the Press’s financial capacity to issue credits or refunds is directly contingent upon the venue partner releasing the Press from its master financial obligations. The Press will act in good faith to advocate for attendees, but attendees agree to hold the Press harmless for venue-enforced scheduling adjustments. 3.8 Retail Consignment and Promotional Gift Disclaimer. Physical books provided via pop-up shops or consignment programs (including partnerships with local bookstores like The Book Cellar) are treated as third-party retail properties. The Press assumes no custodial or financial liability for inventory damage, theft, or wear occurring during an event. Furthermore, any promotional merchandise, local gift baskets, or "swag" items distributed at retreats are accepted by the Attendee "as-is" without warranty. The Press disclaims all product liability claims regarding personal allergies, item functionality, or manufacturing defects tied to third-party vendor goods. 3.9 Municipal Actions, Permitting, and Local Venue Disruption
The physical operations of the Writing Academy and lakeshore residencies depend strictly upon municipal permitting, public safety approvals, and commercial facility access in the City of Grand Haven. If an event is disrupted, delayed, or forced to shift to an alternative or virtual format due to a revocation of city permits, street closures, emergency infrastructure repairs, or county-wide safety declarations, such disruption will be legally classified as a Force Majeure event. The Press assumes no liability for localized municipal actions that alter the layout, capacity, or itinerary of physical programs. 3.10 Dispersed Venue Navigation and Independent Transit Waivers
Academy courses, reading retreats, and promotional showcases utilize multiple independent venues throughout Grand Haven, Michigan (including, but not limited to, the Harbor House Inn, Central Park Place, and Grand Armory Brewing). The Attendee explicitly acknowledges that transit between these separate geographic locations is entirely self-directed and unsupervised by the Press. The Press provides no transit vehicles, drivers, or pedestrian escorts. The Attendee assumes 100% personal liability for selecting their mode of travel (walking, driving, or third-party rideshare) and waives all claims against the Press for injuries or accidents occurring on municipal streets, sidewalks, boardwalks, or public parking areas between official session windows

 

 

​4.1 Live Performance Recording Capture & Media Release. The Press retains the right to take photographs, video, and audio recordings during workshops, official Open Mic Readings, and public showcases. By participating, you grant the Press a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license to utilize these specific performance captures for marketing, promotional use, or distribution via Press media channels (including Singing Sands Audio) without financial compensation, unless an explicit written restriction is requested and signed prior to the performance. 4.2 Comprehensive Student Indemnification. The Attendee agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold completely harmless Third Coast Literary Press, its owners, employees, agents, and independent contractors (including, but not limited to, workshop instructors, guest authors, and manuscript consultants) from and against any and all claims, lawsuits, damages, costs, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or related to:

  • The Attendee’s physical presence, behavior, or actions at a retreat or residency.

  • Any physical damage, theft, or loss caused by the Attendee to third-party lodging facilities or workshop venues.

  • Any breach by the Attendee of the health, safety, and Code of Conduct rules outlined in Section 3.5.

4.3 Selection Committee Immunity & Release of Liability. By entering the Book of the Year contest or submitting a manuscript, the Author expressly acknowledges that the Press utilizes a tiered review structure consisting of independent first readers, senior editorial staff, and an external Selection Committee (including guest authors and industry chairs) to evaluate submissions. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Author hereby releases, acquits, and forever discharges the individual members of the Selection Committee, guest judges, and independent editorial readers from any and all personal liability, claims, or demands arising out of editorial choices, scoring, text-based feedback, or conceptual similarities. 4.4 Organizational Independence from Third Coast Festival. Third Coast Literary Press LLC ("the Press") and the Third Coast Author & Book Festival held in Grand Haven, Michigan ("the Festival") are completely independent, separate, and distinct legal and corporate entities.

  • While the Press maintains a collaborative marketing, promotional, and event-launch working arrangement with the Festival, neither entity is an agent, partner, joint venture, parent company, or employee of the other.

  • Neither entity is legally or financially responsible for the actions, omissions, contracts, debts, negligence, event cancellations, or liabilities of the other.

  • The Press is not liable for any injuries, losses, or disruptions experienced by an author while attending, traveling to, or participating in the Festival.

4.5 Governing Law. These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any legal action arising under these terms must be filed exclusively in the courts located near the Press's primary operational jurisdiction in Michigan. 4.6 Mutual Professionalism and Non-Disparagement. Both the Press and the Author/Attendee agree to maintain a professional, respectful relationship throughout the submission and workshop lifecycle. The Author/Attendee agrees that they will not engage in any pattern of public disparagement, defamatory online reviews, coordinated social media campaigns, or public statements designed to maliciously harm the commercial reputation, brand value, or operational integrity of Third Coast Literary Press, its imprints, or its independent editors. Breach of this clause constitutes a material violation of these terms and may result in immediate legal remedies, including injunctive relief. 4.7 Irrevocable Archival License for Live Audio. While the Author retains underlying print rights to their work as outlined in Section 2.1, the promotional audio/video captures recorded by the Press during official events (such as the Snug Harbor Open Mics) are protected by an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive archival license. The Author cannot retroactively revoke permission for the Press to host, stream, or display historical event recordings on Press networks (including Singing Sands Audio channels), even if the underlying print manuscript is later sold to a third-party publisher or literary agency.4.8 Live Music and Performance Rights Licensing Releases
Participants, instructors, and independent performers at Press events are strictly prohibited from performing, broadcasting, or utilizing copyrighted musical works, audio tracks, or commercial media during public showcases or open-mics without verified proof of a public performance license. Attendees assume all legal and financial liability for any copyright infringement actions brought by performance rights organizations (PROs) stemming from their unauthorized live execution of protected creative properties.

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5.1 Substitution of Non-Monetary Promotional Prizes. Elements of the "Book of the Year" Grand Prize Launch Package involving third-party execution (including, but not limited to, physical display marketing, public staging, panel placement, or open signings at the Third Coast Author & Book Festival) are strictly subject to change based on the operational capacity, physical attendance caps, scheduling availability, or cancellation policies of the host festival or its main organizer. If a third-party partner scales back, shifts dates, or cancels an event due to weather or logistic constraints, the Press shall provide a commercially reasonable, alternative marketing replacement asset (such as an online digital launch campaign or dedicated virtual showcase). The Press bears no legal or financial liability for the loss of physical festival-facing exposure.5.2 Medical Emergency Vacation of Premises & Estate Release. In the extreme event that an Attendee or Resident passes away, falls dangerously ill, or experiences an incapacitating psychiatric or physical medical event while occupying a Press-contracted accommodation (e.g., the Harbor House Inn), the Press is granted explicit authority by the Attendee and their lawful heirs or executors to contact emergency services and secure all personal property. The Attendee’s estate shall indemnify the Press from any costs, relocation fees, or logistical liabilities associated with vacating the room to ensure compliance with property rules and the safety of neighboring residents.5.3 File Share Portal Technical Vulnerability and Data Leak Waiver. The Press utilizes specialized digital hosting platforms to manage manuscript submissions, writing feedback, and peer files. While the Press maintains industry-standard encryption, the Author/Attendee acknowledges that no digital interface or cloud-based file system is completely invulnerable to technical exploits, software bugs, or accidental database visibility leaks. The Author/Attendee agrees to hold the Press completely harmless for any unexpected digital exposure, server corruption, loss of work, or system failure occurring within the File Share network. Authors are strictly advised to retain permanent external backups of all uploaded files.5.4 Clear and Unencumbered Title of Material Warranty. The Author warrants that the submitted manuscript is completely free, clear, unencumbered, and not subject to any pre-existing right of first refusal, agency representation agreement, digital option clause, or foreign distribution contract. If the Press discovers that an author has misrepresented their manuscript’s legal availability, the entry will be immediately disqualified with total forfeiture of fees. If a third-party agency or publisher initiates legal actions against the Press for tortious contractual interference based on the Author’s submission, the Author shall assume full financial liability for defending the Press and paying all resulting corporate legal damages. 5.5 Data Retention Dormancy and Automated File Purges. The Press provides the Third Coast Member Area and File Share portals purely as temporary workspaces for active, concurrent courses and evaluation timelines. The Press does not operate as a permanent cloud storage or archival utility. If a user account remains dormant, un-accessed, or unpaid for a continuous period exceeding twelve (12) consecutive months, the Press reserves the absolute right to permanently delete the profile, clear all associated server data, and securely wipe all uploaded manuscript fragments, drafts, or communication logs without notice or liability to the user or their estate.

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10.1 Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) Embargo Enforcement. Any digital or physical Advanced Reading Copies, uncorrected proofs, or early review manuscripts distributed by the Press or its imprints to social media reviewers, influencers, bloggers, or media outlets (collectively, "Reviewers") are strictly bound by a mandatory publicity embargo. Reviewers are prohibited from publishing comprehensive plot spoilers, explicit ending details, or verbatim text excerpts exceeding fifty (50) words prior to the book's official commercial publication date. Breach of this embargo results in immediate revocation of current reviewer access, permanent blacklisting from future Press distribution slates, and potential liability for resulting commercial pre-order financial losses. 10.2 FTC Endorsement Compliance and Cross-Indemnification. Reviewers and influencers who receive free merchandise, complimentary lodging at Press retreats, or financial compensation for promotional coverage are legally required to comply with all active Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Endorsement Guides. Reviewers must provide a clear, conspicuous, and unambiguous disclosure (e.g., #PaidAd, #Sponsored, or explicitly stating a free copy was provided by the Press) on all associated posts, reels, stories, or videos. The Reviewer assumes sole liability for regulatory infractions stemming from omitted or non-compliant disclosures and shall fully indemnify the Press for any administrative fines, legal penalties, or corporate defense costs levied by federal or state regulatory agencies.10.3 Digital Extortion and Influencer Code of Conduct
Social media influencers, content creators, and digital media entities attending Press retreats, workshops, or public showcases are subject to the standard Code of Conduct outlined in Section 3.5. The Press maintains a zero-tolerance policy for digital extortion, including instances where an individual threatens to publish negative reviews, lower ranking scores, or launch malicious social media campaigns to coerce the Press into providing free merchandise, upgraded lodging, financial compensation, or preferential treatment. Any such behavior constitutes a material breach of these terms, resulting in immediate expulsion from the event without refund and the reporting of the incident to relevant digital platform safety teams.10.4 Guarantee of Editorial and Review Independence. The Press deeply respects the creative and critical independence of the book-reviewing community. The distribution of a review copy or the hosting of an influencer does not constitute a purchase of positive commentary, nor does it obligate the Reviewer to provide a favorable rating. The Press explicitly protects the right of all reviewers to publish honest, authentic, and critical evaluations of Press publications. The Press and its contracted authors agree not to engage in retaliatory digital behavior, online harassment, or platform reporting against any Reviewer for exercising their right to fair, peaceful, and honest literary critique.

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