Policies

Privacy Policy

Sankofa Publishers collects only the information required to process submissions, deliver services, and communicate with authors and visitors. We do not sell, rent, or share personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.

Information we collect includes names, email addresses, manuscript files submitted through our platform, and payment information processed through verified third-party payment processors. Payment details are never stored on our own servers.

All submitted manuscripts are treated as confidential. They are not shared, reproduced, or referenced outside the editorial review process. Submission does not transfer rights.

We use cookies on this website to understand how visitors navigate the site. No personally identifiable information is collected through cookies. You may disable cookies through your browser settings at any time.

Authors and users may request access to, correction of, or deletion of their personal data by contacting compliance@sankofapublishers.com. We respond to all data requests within ten business days.

Terms of Use

By using the Sankofa Publishers website and submitting materials through our platform, you agree to the following terms. If you do not agree, please do not use this site.

The content on this website, including text, design, and brand assets, is the property of Sankofa Publishers, LLC. You may not reproduce, distribute, or republish any content from this site without written permission.

Submitted manuscripts remain the property of the author at all times. Submission does not constitute a transfer of rights. No publishing agreement is formed until both parties have signed a formal written agreement.

We reserve the right to refuse service, cancel agreements, or remove content that violates our editorial or content standards. We will communicate the reason for any such decision directly.

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of New Mexico, United States. Any disputes arising from use of this site or our services will be handled in accordance with applicable New Mexico and federal law.

We may update these terms periodically. When we do, the date at the top of this page will change. Continued use of the site after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

Editorial Policy

Sankofa Publishers accepts manuscripts based on editorial merit, cultural alignment, and production readiness. No service purchase, financial contribution, or personal relationship influences the editorial decision.

All submissions are reviewed by a member of our editorial team within 45 days of confirmed receipt. Possible outcomes are full acceptance, conditional acceptance with specified revision requirements, or rejection. We communicate all decisions directly and clearly.

We welcome controversial ideas, strong arguments, and analytical work that challenges received wisdom. We do not publish content designed solely to provoke without substance, content that defames named individuals without evidence, or content that promotes hatred based on race, religion, gender, or national origin.

Manuscripts that include real people, real events, or serious allegations may require additional documentation or legal review before publication proceeds. Authors bear responsibility for the accuracy of claims made in their work.

Conditional acceptance means the manuscript shows genuine publishing potential. It does not mean acceptance is guaranteed. Authors who receive a conditional acceptance are given specific, actionable revision notes and a reasonable timeframe to respond.

Author Rights Policy

Authors published by Sankofa retain 100% copyright, 100% intellectual property rights, and 100% of net royalty earnings. We do not acquire ownership of any submitted or published work.

Sankofa receives limited non-exclusive permission to publish and distribute a title through a formal written agreement. That permission does not constitute ownership and does not restrict the author from pursuing other opportunities not in conflict with the agreement terms.

Authors may withdraw their title from publication by providing 30 days written notice. Upon withdrawal, all distribution is discontinued and full rights revert to the author. Sankofa does not impose penalties for withdrawal.

Royalties are calculated as 100% of net revenue. Net revenue is gross retail sales minus retailer fees, distribution fees, per-unit printing costs, and payment processing fees. All deductions are reported transparently. No unexplained adjustments are made.

Authors receive royalty reporting on a six-month cycle at no cost. Authors who subscribe to the Author Portal receive real-time reporting and automated direct deposits on a monthly basis.

Content Standards

All work published by Sankofa is evaluated against a consistent set of content standards. These standards exist to protect authors, readers, and the institutional integrity of the press.

We require that all submitted work be original or properly licensed. Authors must hold full rights to submitted materials. Plagiarism screening may be applied to any submission. If plagiarism is identified after publication, the publishing agreement may be terminated immediately.

AI-assisted writing is permitted when fully disclosed at the time of submission. Authors must indicate clearly which portions of the manuscript involved AI assistance. Failure to disclose AI usage is treated the same as plagiarism and may result in termination of the publishing agreement.

Works that include copyrighted material from third parties, such as song lyrics, extended quotations, or licensed images, must include documentation confirming that proper permissions have been obtained. Sankofa is not responsible for rights clearance on third-party material included in author submissions.

We do not publish content that constitutes hate speech, targeted harassment, or incitement to violence toward any individual or group. We do not publish content that sexualizes minors in any form. These are absolute restrictions with no exceptions.

Intellectual Property

Sankofa Publishers operates in full compliance with United States copyright law and applicable international intellectual property standards.

The Sankofa name, logo, brand marks, and all proprietary website content are the intellectual property of Sankofa Publishers, LLC. Unauthorized reproduction or use of these assets is prohibited.

Authors retain all intellectual property in their submitted and published work. Sankofa does not claim any ownership interest in manuscripts, whether accepted, rejected, or under review. A signed publishing agreement grants distribution rights only, not ownership.

Ghostwriting engagements are protected by written non-disclosure agreements. Sankofa will not disclose, reference, or claim involvement in the production of any ghostwritten work. Full intellectual property in ghostwritten manuscripts transfers to the commissioning author upon final payment.

Any claims of intellectual property infringement related to Sankofa publications should be directed to compliance@sankofapublishers.com with full documentation of the claim. We investigate all credible IP complaints and respond within ten business days.

Cover designs and interior formatting files created by Sankofa as part of a paid service engagement are delivered in full to the author upon project completion. Authors own these files and may use them with any publisher or platform.

Refund Policy

At Sankofa Publishers, we provide high-touch, customized publishing and creative services. These include, but are not limited to, ghostwriting, editing, manuscript development, publishing support, formatting, design, branding, and related services.

Because our work is custom, labor-intensive, and begins immediately upon engagement, all payments are generally final and non-refundable once a project has begun, except where required by law or approved at our sole discretion.

1. Commitment to Clients

We are committed to transparency, communication, and delivering high-quality results. Before any project begins, we ensure that clients understand the scope, process, and expectations. Once a project starts, our team allocates dedicated time, expertise, and internal resources specifically to that client. This commitment is the reason refunds are limited.

2. Why Refunds Are Not Offered After Work Begins

Refunds are generally not provided once work has started because:

3. General No-Refund Policy for Services

A service is considered "started" once any of the following occurs: project intake, consultation, or planning begins; materials are reviewed or developed; a team member is assigned; or drafts, concepts, or production work begins. Once a service has started, payments are non-refundable.

4. Ghostwriting Services (Milestone-Based)

Ghostwriting projects are structured in phases: Phase 1 (discovery, concept, and initial writing), Phase 2 (continued manuscript development), and Phase 3 (final completion and delivery). Each phase is paid in advance and is non-refundable once started. Approval of a phase constitutes acceptance of that phase. Clients are not obligated to proceed to the next phase, but prior payments remain non-refundable.

5. Creative and Publishing Services

The following services are non-refundable once started: editing and proofreading, formatting and interior layout, cover design and branding, publishing consultation and support, manuscript review and coaching, and any custom publishing or creative service. Refunds are not issued due to change of mind, project delay, subjective preference, or choosing another provider.

6. Revisions

Where revisions are included, they exist to refine the work within scope. Revisions do not create eligibility for refunds. Once final approval or delivery is made, the service is considered complete and non-refundable.

7. Deposits, Client Delays, and Digital Deliverables

Any deposit, booking fee, or advance payment used to secure time, resources, or scheduling is non-refundable. Client delays or non-responsiveness do not qualify for refunds — projects may be paused or rescheduled, but payments for work performed remain non-refundable. All digital files, drafts, and completed work are non-refundable once delivered. Any third-party costs incurred on behalf of the client are non-refundable once incurred.

8. Subscriptions (If Applicable)

For any Sankofa subscription services: billing is in advance; clients may cancel anytime; cancellation stops future billing only. No refunds are issued for active billing periods. No prorated refunds are provided. Annual subscriptions are non-refundable once billed or renewed.

9. Refund Review Requests

While refunds are generally not provided, clients may request a review by contacting accounts@sankofapublishers.com. Requests must include full details of the concern. All decisions are made at our sole discretion unless required by law.

10. Chargebacks and Disputes

Clients agree to contact us first regarding any billing or service issue. Clients must allow 3–5 business days for response. Initiating a chargeback or contacting a financial institution before contacting us and allowing this time is considered a breach of this policy. We reserve the right to present project records, approvals, communications, and proof of work in response to disputes.

11. Legal Compliance

Nothing in this policy overrides rights granted under applicable law.