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Artificial Intelligence Policy
2026-01-11
Le Magasin Littéraire prohibits AI-generated literary content. You cannot submit stories, poems, or essays written by AI. Violations result in an immediate, permanent ban. AI-assisted writing (including grammar tools, research, and translation) is permitted with proper disclosure. For visual content: AI-generated images permitted for illustrative purposes in text-primary works only. Graphic novels and image-primary works require substantial human artistic input. AI-assisted illustration allowed with disclosure. All visual content must meet strict quality standards. Works with human illustration receive enhanced compensation; AI-heavy graphic works may receive minimal to no compensation. We use detection tools and editorial review. When in doubt, disclose your AI use or contact us before submitting.

Le Magasin Littéraire is committed to preserving the integrity of human creativity and literary craft. This Artificial Intelligence Policy establishes clear guidelines for the use of AI tools in content creation, submission, and publication on our platform.

Policy Overview

1.1 Core Principle

Le Magasin Littéraire exists to celebrate authentic human voice, creativity, and literary artistry. While we embrace technology that enhances the writing process, we believe that genuine human perspective—with all its complexity, imperfections, and lived experience—is irreplaceable and must be protected.

1.2 Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All content submitted for publication (stories, essays, poems, articles, reviews)
  • Workshop submissions and contest entries
  • Community posts, comments, and discussions
  • Visual content (covers, illustrations, images)
  • Any material created for or posted on the LML platform

1.3 Definitions

AI-Generated Content: Text, narrative, creative writing, or literary work produced primarily or substantially by artificial intelligence tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.) with minimal human creative input.

AI-Assisted Writing: Human-authored work that incorporates AI tools for specific, limited purposes such as grammar checking, research, translation, or editing suggestions.

AI-Generated Visual Content: Images, illustrations, graphics, or cover art created using AI image generation tools (Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, etc.).

Prohibited Uses

2.1 AI-Generated Literary Content: Strictly Forbidden

The following uses of artificial intelligence are absolutely prohibited on Le Magasin Littéraire:

Complete AI Generation:

  • Using AI to write entire stories, essays, poems, or articles
  • Submitting work where AI generated the majority of the text
  • Passing off AI-generated content as human-authored work

Substantial AI Writing:

  • Using AI to create plot structures, character development, or narrative arcs that you then lightly edit
  • Having AI write individual scenes, paragraphs, or substantial passages that you incorporate into your work
  • Using AI to generate creative ideas that form the core of your submission, and then editing the output

Deceptive Practices:

  • Submitting AI-generated work without disclosure
  • Claiming authorship of AI-generated content
  • Using AI to create work and then “humanizing” it through minor edits
  • Collaborating with AI in ways that make the AI the primary creative force

2.2 What This Means in Practice

If you cannot honestly say “I wrote this,” then the work violates this policy. The human author must be the primary creative force behind the work—the originator of ideas, voice, narrative, style, and literary craft.

Permitted Uses

3.1 AI-Assisted Writing: Allowed with Disclosure

The following uses of AI are permitted but must be disclosed in your submission:

Grammar & Style Tools:

  • Grammar checkers (Grammarly, ProWritingAid, Hemingway Editor)
  • Spell-checking and punctuation tools
  • Style consistency checking
  • Readability analysis

Research & Fact-Checking:

  • Using AI to research historical facts, dates, or events
  • Verifying technical details or terminology
  • Finding relevant sources or references
  • Checking accuracy of information

Translation Assistance:

  • Using AI to help translate your work from one language to another
  • Getting help with idioms or cultural expressions in a non-native language
  • Checking translation accuracy (when you are the original author)

Brainstorming & Development:

  • Using AI as a brainstorming partner for ideas
  • Discussing plot problems or character development
  • Exploring thematic possibilities
  • Getting feedback on structure or pacing

Line-Level Editing:

  • Requesting suggestions for rephrasing awkward sentences
  • Getting alternative word choices
  • Checking for clarity or concision in specific passages
  • Receiving feedback on specific technical issues

3.2 Disclosure Requirements

When submitting work that used AI assistance in any of the above ways, include a brief statement in your cover letter or submission form:

Example disclosures:

  • “I used Grammarly for grammar and spell-checking.”
  • “I used ChatGPT to verify historical dates related to the 1920s setting.”
  • “I used Claude to help translate idiomatic expressions from French.”
  • “I used AI as a brainstorming partner to explore possible plot directions for this story.”
  • “I used ProWritingAid for style suggestions and used ChatGPT to help rephrase three specific sentences that were unclear.”

What to disclose:

  • The AI tool(s) used
  • The specific purpose (grammar, research, translation, etc.)
  • Approximate extent of use (if substantial)

You do not need to disclose:

  • Basic spell-check or autocorrect functions built into word processors
  • Simple dictionary or thesaurus lookups
  • Standard search engine queries (Google, etc.)

3.3 AI-Generated Visual Content: Permitted with Restrictions

Le Magasin Littéraire’s primary focus is literary excellence in the written word. Our approach to visual content reflects this priority while maintaining high standards for all published material.

For Text-Primary Works (Permitted):

AI-generated visual content is permitted for illustrative purposes in works where text is the primary medium, including:

  • Cover art for literary fiction, poetry, essays
  • Chapter headers and decorative elements
  • Supplementary illustrations that support the narrative
  • Author photos or promotional graphics

For Image-Primary Works (Restricted):

For works where images carry significant narrative or artistic weight—such as graphic novels, illustrated children’s books, comics, or visual poetry—AI-generated images fall under the same prohibition as AI-generated text. These works require substantial human artistic input.

AI-Assisted Illustration (Permitted with Disclosure):

Visual artists may use AI as one tool in their creative process, similar to AI-assisted writing. This includes:

  • Human artist creates core artwork (sketches, composition, concept)
  • AI assists with technical execution (coloring, shading, effects, backgrounds)
  • Artist finalizes and refines the work

The key distinction: The human artist must be the primary creative force. Ask yourself: “Could the artist reproduce this work without AI, just more slowly?” If yes, it’s assistance. If no, it’s generation.

Disclosure required: “Illustrations created by [Artist Name] with AI assistance for [specific purposes: coloring/effects/backgrounds]”

Photography with AI Editing (Fully Permitted):

Photography enhanced with AI editing tools is permitted without disclosure, as this represents standard post-processing:

  • Color correction and enhancement
  • Blemish removal and retouching
  • Sky replacement or background adjustments
  • Professional editing techniques

Exception: If AI generates entirely new elements not present in the original photograph (adding people, objects, or scenes), disclosure is required.

Quality Standards for All Visual Content:

Whether created by human artists, AI-assisted processes, or AI generation, all visual content must meet our professional standards. AI-generated images, in particular, must be carefully vetted for:

  • No visible AI artifacts (distorted anatomy, extra/missing fingers, malformed features)
  • No nonsensical text or gibberish elements
  • No impossible perspectives or physics violations
  • Professional resolution and composition
  • Thematic appropriateness to the work
  • No copyright-infringing elements (recognizable faces, logos, trademarked characters)

Cover art, which represents your work and LML’s brand to potential readers, receives the strictest editorial scrutiny regardless of creation method.

Our Commitment to Human Artists:

We actively encourage and prefer collaborations with human illustrators and visual artists. Human creativity brings irreplaceable perspective, skill, and artistry to visual storytelling. We recognize, however, that emerging authors may face financial barriers to commissioning custom illustration work, and AI can provide a more accessible alternative in these cases.

To demonstrate our commitment to human artists, works featuring significant human illustration receive enhanced compensation as detailed in our Compensation & Membership Policy. AI-generated or AI-heavy graphic works may receive minimal to no compensation depending on the degree of human artistic investment. This compensation structure reflects our values: we support human creativity first, while acknowledging the practical realities facing new contributors.

Recommended attribution for AI visual content:

  • “Cover art created with Midjourney”
  • “Illustrations generated using DALL-E 3, refined by [Artist Name]”
  • “Images created with AI assistance”

Attribution is encouraged but not mandatory for supplementary visual content in text-primary works.

Detection & Review Process

4.1 How We Detect AI Content

Le Magasin Littéraire employs multiple methods to identify AI-generated content:

AI Detection Tools:

  • We use industry-standard AI detection software on all submissions
  • Tools analyze writing patterns, vocabulary, syntax, and other markers
  • Detection results inform but do not solely determine our decisions

Editorial Review:

  • Experienced editors review flagged submissions
  • We look for signs of AI generation including generic phrasing, unusual consistency, lack of authentic voice, or absence of human imperfection
  • We may request writing samples, revision history, or additional information

Pattern Recognition:

  • Repeated submissions from the same author showing dramatically different styles
  • Suspiciously high submission volume
  • Work that lacks the distinctive voice present in an author’s previous submissions

Community Reports:

  • We investigate reports from members or other contributors regarding suspected AI content
  • Anonymous reporting is available but must include specific concerns

4.2 When We Suspect AI Use

If we suspect a submission may violate this policy, we will:

  1. Initial Review: Editorial team reviews the work and detection results
  2. Request for Clarification: We may contact you requesting:
    • Information about your writing process
    • Earlier drafts or revision history
    • Explanation of any AI tools used
    • Additional writing samples for comparison
  3. Decision: Based on your response and our review, we will either:
    • Accept the work (if concerns are resolved)
    • Request revisions or resubmission
    • Reject the work
    • Report suspected violation to our enforcement team

4.3 Good Faith Approach

We approach all submissions with good faith and assume writers are honest. However, we take AI policy violations seriously and will investigate thoroughly when concerns arise. Honesty and transparency are always the best approach.

4.4 Visual Content Quality Vetting Protocol

All visual content submitted to Le Magasin Littéraire undergoes a two-stage quality review process:

Stage 1: Initial Submission Checklist

When submitting visual content, contributors must complete the following checklist:

Technical Requirements:

  • Minimum resolution: 300 DPI for print-intended work, 1920px width minimum for web-only
  • Correct format: PNG, JPG, or TIFF
  • File size: Under 10MB per image
  • Color mode: RGB for web display, CMYK for print publications

AI-Specific Quality Check (if AI was used):

  • No visible anatomical distortions (extra/missing fingers, malformed limbs, facial irregularities)
  • No nonsensical text, gibberish, or distorted writing in image
  • No impossible perspectives or physics violations
  • No obvious copy-paste artifacts, seams, or generation errors
  • Thematically appropriate and enhances the written work

Rights & Permissions:

  • I have legal rights to use this image
  • Image contains no recognizable people without their permission
  • Image contains no trademarked logos or copyrighted characters
  • AI disclosure completed accurately (if applicable)
  • Source material credited appropriately (for AI-assisted work)

Stage 2: Editorial Review

LML’s editorial team conducts a thorough review before publication:

Aesthetic Quality Assessment:

  • Does it meet professional publishing standards?
  • Is composition effective and visually compelling?
  • Does it enhance rather than distract from the written work?
  • Is it appropriate for the genre, tone, and target audience?

Brand Alignment Review:

  • Does it align with LML’s sophisticated literary aesthetic?
  • Would we be proud to feature and promote this work?
  • Does it maintain our focus on literary excellence?
  • Does it represent the quality we promise our members?

Subjective Editorial Judgment:

  • Editor may request revisions, refinements, or replacement
  • Author has opportunity to submit alternative visual content
  • For cover art: highest scrutiny applied as it represents both author and LML brand
  • Final publication decision rests with LML editorial team

Review Outcomes:

  • Approved: Published as submitted
  • Approved with Minor Revisions: Technical adjustments needed (cropping, color correction, resolution)
  • Conditional Approval: Requires specific changes before publication; resubmit for review
  • Rejected: Must be replaced with different visual content, or work published without images

Quality Standards Apply Equally: Whether visual content is created by human artists, AI-assisted processes, or AI generation, all submissions must pass this two-stage review. Our commitment is to publishing excellence, regardless of the tools used in creation.

Consequences & Enforcement

5.1 Violation Penalties

Violations of this AI Policy carry serious consequences, as outlined in our Terms of Service (Section 6):

First Violation – AI-Generated Content:

  • Immediate rejection of submitted work
  • Formal written warning placed on account
  • Prohibition from submitting new work for 90 days
  • Possible account suspension

Second Violation – AI-Generated Content:

  • Immediate account termination
  • Permanent ban from Le Magasin Littéraire
  • Forfeiture of all payments, credits, and benefits
  • Removal of any previously published work (if found to violate policy)
  • Public notice may be issued (at our discretion)

Failure to Disclose Required AI Assistance:

  • First offense: Rejection of work and request for proper disclosure
  • Second offense: Written warning
  • Third offense: Suspension or termination depending on pattern and severity

Discovery After Publication: If we discover that published work was AI-generated after publication:

  • Immediate removal of the work
  • Account termination
  • Return of all payments received for that work
  • Public correction may be issued
  • Possible legal action for breach of contract and fraud

5.2 No Tolerance for Deception

We have zero tolerance for intentional deception regarding AI use. Deliberately misrepresenting AI-generated work as human-authored is considered fraud and will result in:

  • Immediate permanent ban
  • Legal action for breach of contract
  • Potential reporting to other literary organizations
  • Pursuit of damages if applicable

5.3 Appeals Process

If you believe enforcement action was taken in error:

  1. Contact legal@lemagasinlitteraire.com within 14 days
  2. Provide evidence of your authorship (drafts, notes, revision history)
  3. Explain your creative process in detail
  4. Include any documentation supporting your claim

We will review appeals carefully and respond within 30 days. Our decision then becomes final.

Writer Responsibilities

6.1 Know Before You Submit

Before submitting any work to Le Magasin Littéraire, you must:

  • Read and understand this AI Policy completely
  • Honestly assess whether your work complies
  • Prepare proper disclosure if AI assistance was used
  • Be ready to discuss your creative process if asked
  • Retain drafts and revision history as evidence of authorship

6.2 Certification of Authorship

By submitting work to LML, you certify that:

  • You are the primary author and creative force behind the work
  • The work is substantially your own original writing
  • Any AI assistance used falls within permitted guidelines and is disclosed
  • You have not misrepresented the origins or authorship of the work
  • You understand the consequences of violating this policy

6.3 When in Doubt, Ask

If you are uncertain whether your use of AI tools complies with this policy, contact us at editorial@lemagasinlitteraire.com before submitting. We are happy to provide guidance. It is always better to ask than to risk a violation.

Rationale & Philosophy

7.1 Why We Prohibit AI-Generated Content

Preserving Human Voice: Literature is fundamentally about human experience, perspective, and voice. AI cannot replicate lived experience or authentic human consciousness.

Protecting Literary Craft: Writing is a learned skill that requires practice, failure, revision, and growth. AI-generated content undermines the value of this craft.

Maintaining Reader Trust: Our members trust that the work they read on LML represents genuine human creativity and effort. AI-generated content would betray that trust.

Fair Compensation: We pay writers for their creative labor. Compensating AI-generated content would be unfair to human writers and undermine our economic model.

Cultural Value: Human-created literature has cultural, historical, and artistic value that AI imitations cannot match.

7.2 Why We Allow AI Assistance

We recognize that writers have always used tools to improve their craft—from dictionaries to thesauruses to grammar guides. AI tools, when used appropriately, are simply modern versions of these traditional aids.

Prohibiting all AI use would be impractical and would disadvantage:

  • Non-native English speakers who need translation help
  • Writers with disabilities who use assistive technology
  • Authors who use grammar tools to polish their work
  • Writers who research using modern tools

The key distinction is that the writer remains the creative force, and AI serves only as a tool in service of human creativity.

7.3 Why We Allow AI Visual Content (With Restrictions)

Primary vs. Supplementary Medium:

We distinguish between works where visual content is the primary artistic medium (graphic novels, illustrated children’s books) and works where images serve a supplementary, illustrative purpose (literary fiction covers, chapter decorations).

For text-primary works, visual content enhances but does not define the literary art. Our mission centers on written literary excellence, and we judge supplementary visual content on aesthetic merit and thematic appropriateness.

Economic Accessibility:

Many talented writers, particularly emerging authors, face significant financial barriers to commissioning professional illustration or design work. Custom cover art can cost $300-$1,500; illustrated content can cost significantly more. AI tools provide an accessible alternative that allows authors to present polished, professional-looking work regardless of their economic circumstances.

However, we believe in supporting human artists. Our compensation structure reflects this commitment—works featuring human illustration receive enhanced compensation, while AI-heavy visual work receives reduced compensation. This creates economic incentive for human collaboration while maintaining accessibility for those who need it.

Quality Over Method:

For supplementary visual content in text-primary works, we care most about the end result: Does it look professional? Does it enhance the reading experience? Is it thematically appropriate? The creation method matters less than the quality and appropriateness of the final product.

For image-primary works (graphic novels, etc.), the visual art IS the creative work, and therefore requires substantial human artistic input, just as we require human authorship for written content.

Encouraging Human Collaboration:

We actively encourage author-illustrator collaborations and maintain a network of visual artists for authors to connect with. We pay illustrators separately for commissioned work and credit both author and artist prominently. AI is accepted as an accessibility tool, not preferred as a replacement for human artistry.

Policy Evolution

8.1 Living Document

We may update this policy as AI technology and literary standards evolve. The landscape of AI and creative writing is rapidly changing, and our policy must remain responsive to new developments.

8.2 Notice of Changes

Material changes to this policy will be communicated via:

  • Email to all registered users
  • Prominent notice on the website
  • Updated “Last Modified” date at the top of this document

8.3 Ongoing Review

We will review this policy at least annually and make updates as needed. We welcome feedback from our community of writers and readers.

Additional Resources

9.1 Educational Materials

We provide resources to help writers understand and comply with this policy:

  • Examples of acceptable vs. prohibited AI use
  • Guidance on proper disclosure
  • Tips for using AI tools ethically
  • Information about AI detection methods

These resources are available at: Legal Hub – Le Magasin Littéraire

9.2 Community Discussion

We encourage thoughtful discussion about AI and creativity within our community, while maintaining our core standards for published work.

Contact & Questions

For questions about this AI Policy:

General Questions: editorial@lemagasinlitteraire.com
Compliance Questions: legal@lemagasinlitteraire.com
Reporting Violations: report@lemagasinlitteraire.com

By submitting your work to or using Le Magasin Littéraire, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to comply with this Artificial Intelligence Policy.