From use of artificial intelligence to endorsing products,
find all of Jami's miscellaneous policies on this page:
Privacy Policy
Privacy policies are their own kind of beast, so find my privacy policy here.
Guest Posts
I do run guest posts on my blog. However, I do not accept guest post requests (with very few exceptions). Most "I'd like to guest post on your blog" requests are from spammers who don't know me, don't know my blog, and don't know my readers. These requests are ignored and deleted.
If I know someone and if they offer a post with content I think would benefit my readers (no promo-only posts), I'm happy to consider a request. I'm very picky about who I let guest blog for the reasons I outlined in this post. I maintain the right to edit or refuse all submitted guest posts.
I expect all guest posts to consist of new content that has not already been shared elsewhere (unless cleared in advance) and to follow my A.I. Policy outlined below, as I generally do not allow AI-generated content. Also, I expect guest posters to wait a minimum of three months before reposting their portion of the guest blog content on their blog (or elsewhere) and, if possible, to include a link back to my blog with the notification of where the material had previously appeared.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
(This A.I. Policy also Applies to Guest Posts)
The legality, ethical implications, and morality of artificial intelligence (A.I. or AI)—such as ChatGPT and other tools—and its use in creative endeavors will be debated for years to come. In the meantime, I've developed this policy for the use of AI, AI tools/resources, and AI-generated content on my site, both for myself and for my guest posters.
In general, I allow applications that focus on AI-assistance technology, but not AI-content-generation applications that remove us from the actual writing process. We are writers because we write, investing our words with our unique perspectives and qualities, and our work should be a product of us.
Specifically, the following uses are allowed or not allowed on this site:
Allowed:
AI may be used to help decrease our work at the non-writing stages of the writing process: brainstorming, outlining/developing ideas, editing feedback (such as rewording a sentence or difficult passage), proofreading, etc. None of these stages in the writing process remove us from the actual act of writing.
However, even at these stages, all AI-generated content must be rewritten in our voice and style. Although AI may be used to help our efficiency, we should treat AI-generated content like material that can't be quoted, only paraphrased or reworded (with occasional exceptions for quotes specified as being sourced from AI).Allowed with Caution:
AI may be used with caution in regards to research, as all information learned through AI should be verified by reading actual sources. Also keep in mind the different purposes of various AI tools: chatbots (the most common, but not reliable for serious research or sources), research-specific tools, editing and rewording tools, etc.
The current technology level of AI chatbot platforms is essentially advanced "auto-complete"—anticipating what we want. As part of that "giving us what we want" behavior, AI chatbots have been known to make up information and even sources. We must verify all AI-provided research information by reading actual sources to ensure the information exists and is valid/correct.Not Allowed:
AI may not be used to generate any content that is then copied and pasted without rewriting. I generally discourage most uses of AI for content generation, and don't allow any AI-generated content, unless we rewrite the produced content to match our own thoughts, insights, voice, and style.
AI-generated content has many issues: potentially being uncopyrightable, often wordier than necessary, hurting our SEO, etc. No AI-generated content may be simply copy-pasted into material for this site. We must take the information and make it our own.
Guest posters (or potential guest posters) with questions about whether a specific AI tool, application, or use are allowed on this site should contact me directly.
Endorsements
With very few exceptions, I don't endorse publishing products (software, etc.) or services (publishers, editors, etc.) because we all need to do our own due diligence to find the publishing partners right for our goals.
When I do make recommendations based on my own experience, I try to include some of the pros and cons for when or why a product may or may not work for others. Any recommendation should be considered just a starting point for our own research.
Reblogging, Quotes, and Linking
You may quote or reblog up to three paragraphs from one of my blog posts—only if you give credit and a link back to my full post. Anything more than three paragraphs requires written permission.
Under no circumstances do I permit anyone to reblog (copy or repost) a full post (even with credit and a link). I will consider requests for offline use (such as workshops and newsletters) if a link and full credit is included, but my written permission is required prior to such use. Otherwise, I consider any use of a whole post as plagiarism and copyright infringement, and I do actively search out and use tools to find violations.
If you still have questions or wish to make a request, please use my Contact Form. Thank you!