Human-Approved Certification™
Terms of Certification
Last updated: January 4, 2026
These Terms of Certification govern the Human-Approved Certification™ review process provided by AuthorWing (“we,” “us,” or “our”). By submitting a book for review or purchasing a certification review, you (“the Author”) agree to these terms.
1. What Human-Approved Certification™ Means
Human-Approved Certification™ indicates that a submitted book has been manually reviewed by a human reviewer against our Published Certification Criteria at the time of review.
The certification reflects:
- A human-led assessment process
- Transparency around authorship and tool usage
- Alignment with our stated criteria
Certification does not guarantee:
- Literary quality, accuracy, or commercial success
- Compliance with third-party platform policies (e.g. Amazon, Apple, Google)
- Reader outcomes, reviews, or rankings
2. Scope of Review
Each submission is reviewed manually by an experienced nonfiction author or reviewer using the Published Criteria available on our website.
The review:
- Is based solely on the submitted manuscript and information provided by the Author
- Is evaluative, not editorial
- Does not include rewriting, fact-checking, or legal review
We reserve the right to request clarification or additional information during the review process.
3. Certification Fee & Payments
The certification fee is a one-time review fee.
The fee covers:
- Manual review of the submitted book
- Issuance of the Human-Approved Certification™ badge (if approved)
- Creation of a public listing on AuthorWing (if approved)
Payment does not guarantee approval.
Because the fee covers time-based review work, all fees are non-refundable once the review process has begun, except where required by law.
4. Outcomes & Decisions
After review, one of the following outcomes will occur:
- Approved – Certification is granted and materials are issued
- Not Approved – Certification is declined with a brief explanation
- Further Information Requested – Additional clarification is required
All certification decisions are final and made at our sole discretion based on the criteria in effect at the time of review.
5. Badge & Listing Usage
If approved, the Author is granted a non-exclusive, revocable license to use the Human-Approved Certification™ badge for:
- Book covers
- Author websites
- Listings and marketing materials
The badge:
- Must not be altered
- Must not be used in a misleading or exaggerated way
- Must not imply guarantees beyond the stated certification
Public listings may include:
- Book title, author name, cover image
- Certification status
- Optional purchase links
We reserve the right to update or remove listings if information changes or misuse occurs.
6. Revocation of Certification
Certification may be revoked if we determine that:
- Material information was misrepresented
- Authorship disclosures were inaccurate
- The badge is used in a misleading manner
- The book materially changes after review
Revocation does not entitle the Author to a refund.
7. Author Representations
By submitting a book, the Author confirms that:
- They have the legal right to submit the manuscript
- All disclosures regarding authorship and tools used are accurate
- The submitted version reflects the content being certified
- They understand certification is discretionary
8. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law:
- AuthorWing is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
- Certification does not create warranties or guarantees of any kind
- Our total liability is limited to the certification fee paid
9. Changes to Terms or Criteria
We may update these Terms or the Published Criteria from time to time. Changes apply prospectively and do not retroactively affect prior certifications unless required for integrity or compliance reasons.
10. Contact
Questions about certification or these terms may be directed to:
submissions@authorwing.com