This page explains the terms that govern use of this website, how Harper Publishers handles author submissions and manuscript rights, and the limits of what this site and its team represent.
Last updated: September 14, 2026
By accessing or using this website, you agree to be bound by these Terms and by any additional terms referenced here. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use this site. Harper Publishers may update these Terms from time to time, as described in Section 12.
These Terms apply to all visitors, prospective authors, clients, and anyone who submits materials to Harper Publishers through this website or by any other means.
All content on this site — including text, graphics, logos, the Harper Publishers name and marks, layout, and design — is the property of Harper Publishers or its licensors and is protected by copyright and trademark law. You may view and print pages from this site for your own personal, non-commercial use, but you may not reproduce, republish, distribute, or create derivative works from this site's content without prior written permission.
You agree not to use this site in any way that could damage, disable, or impair it, or interfere with any other party's use of the site, and not to attempt to gain unauthorized access to any account, system, or network connected to this site, including the private author portal.
Harper Publishers believes authors should always know exactly where they stand on ownership. The following applies to all manuscripts, treatments, outlines, and other original creative material submitted to Harper Publishers, whether through this website, the private author portal, email, or any other channel.
Authors retain full ownership of, and all copyright in, their manuscripts and other original works at all times. Submitting a manuscript, synopsis, or any other material to Harper Publishers — for consideration, representation, or development — does not transfer, assign, or license any ownership or copyright interest to Harper Publishers.
Harper Publishers does not acquire any right to publish, adapt, develop, license, or otherwise exploit an author's work unless and until the author has entered into a separate, signed representation or development agreement with Harper Publishers that expressly grants those rights. No such rights are created by submitting materials, creating an account, uploading files to the author portal, or purchasing a publishing or development package.
Any signed agreement between an author and Harper Publishers will describe, in plain terms, exactly which rights are granted, for how long, in what territories, and under what conditions those rights may revert to the author. Authors are encouraged to have any agreement reviewed by independent counsel before signing.
Where Harper Publishers provides editorial notes, screen treatments, character breakdowns, visual concepts, or other development materials in connection with a paid package, those materials are prepared to support the author's project and do not, on their own, grant Harper Publishers any ownership interest in the author's underlying manuscript or story.
Harper Publishers does not accept unsolicited submissions. Manuscripts and other materials are accepted only when submitted directly by a member of our team of literary agents on behalf of a prospective or existing client.
Any other submission — including manuscripts, queries, or materials sent unsolicited by mail, email, this website, or any other channel — is not reviewed, retained, or represented, and will be deleted upon receipt.
References on this site to development, packaging, presentation, or industry consideration describe services Harper Publishers may perform — they are not a promise of any particular outcome. Harper Publishers does not guarantee publication, a film or television deal, streaming placement, representation by a third party, financing, casting, distribution, licensing, merchandise production, or any revenue of any kind.
Concepts described as "potential," "development," or similar terms — including expanded-IP, franchise, merchandise, and licensing concepts — are exploratory in nature and do not constitute a commitment by Harper Publishers or any third party to pursue or complete them.
Harper Publishers takes reasonable steps to handle author materials professionally, but submitting material through this website or the author portal does not, by itself, create a formal confidentiality or non-disclosure obligation. Authors who require a signed non-disclosure agreement prior to sharing sensitive material should contact Harper Publishers directly before submitting.
This website and its content are provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Harper Publishers disclaims all warranties, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement, and will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of this site or reliance on its content.
You agree to indemnify and hold Harper Publishers, its officers, agents, and employees harmless from any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of your submission of material that infringes a third party's rights, your breach of these Terms, or your misuse of this website.
This site may reference or display the names and logos of third-party studios, networks, or streaming platforms solely to describe the kinds of companies Harper Publishers and its clients have worked with.
Harper Publishers is an independent company and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to HarperCollins Publishers or any of its parent, subsidiary, or affiliated entities.
References to other third-party companies on this site do not imply an endorsement of, partnership with, or sponsorship by those companies, and all trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.
Information submitted through this site — including contact details, manuscripts, and other materials uploaded to the author portal — is used by Harper Publishers to evaluate and manage author relationships and is not sold to third parties. For questions about how your information is handled, contact Harper Publishers using the details in Section 14.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the state in which Harper Publishers maintains its principal place of business, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of this site will be resolved in the courts located in that jurisdiction.
Harper Publishers may revise these Terms at any time by posting an updated version on this page. Continued use of the site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. Material changes affecting active author agreements will be communicated directly to the affected author.
Questions about these Terms, an existing agreement, or a submission should be directed to Harper Publishers directly.
