Announcing New UPPAA Community Guidelines for Participation
On November 5, 2026 the UPPAA Board unanimously voted in the Solicitation and Promotions policy which is included here for reference.
Solicitations and Promotions
UPPAA wants all of its members to succeed and for human-created, U.P.-related literature to thrive. As an organization, we also have to be careful not to promote one member’s business over another, which would run afoul of Internal Revenue Service rules. The following policy applies to content on UPPAA’s platforms, which include the Groups.io email discussion group, Written Word newsletter, UPPAA.org and related websites, MailChimp mass emails, and any social media accounts.
- Purpose: The UPPAA community is for fostering professional connections, sharing knowledge, and discussing industry topics among UPPAA members.
- Conduct: Members are expected to adhere to professional standards, ensuring communications are respectful, and avoiding behavior that constitutes harassment.
- General Content Restrictions: The UPPAA email list and other platforms are not for personal, political, or commercial advertising purposes, though industry-related announcements may be acceptable. (See examples below.)
- No Promotions: UPPAA’s platforms are not a space to overtly sell or promote services. Members should not use the above platforms to distribute promotional material, special offers, or solicitation for services. UPPAA reserves the right to remove such messages and potentially ban sources of those solicitations.
- Business Listings/Offerings: UPPAA members in the “Publishers and Partners” category are allowed to list their businesses, share industry-related articles, and host industry-related workshops. (Link to membership categories on website. See below.)
- Sponsorships: Sponsorships involve a payment in which there is no expectation for a substantial return other than acknowledgment of the sponsor’s name, logo, or product lines by UPPAA. UPPAA welcomes and will recognize sponsors as allowed by the IRS, but UPPAA cannot endorse any member company or encourage members to patronize a sponsor. Members interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact UPPAA’s president or treasurer.
- No Advertising: Advertising is a paid marketing communication used to promote or induce the sales of products, services, or brands. UPPAA will not sell or provide free advertising space in its newsletter, website, or other communication platforms to any member or business.
General Guideline: If the intent is to sell a product or service, don’t post on UPPAA platforms. If the intent is to support or promote UPPAA members’ common business interests, please post on our platforms. See examples below.
Content Allowed and Not Allowed on UPPAA Platforms:
| Type of Content | Acceptable on UPPAA Platforms |
| Events: Announcing an upcoming author appearance or speaking event, including book launch appearances | Yes |
| Events: Announcing an upcoming workshop to improve writing skills, self-publishing, etc. | Yes |
| Books: Author announcing a book’s publication or a sale/discount/promotion on the Groups.io email discussion group | No |
| Books: UPPAA congratulating authors/illustrators in UPPAA newsletter for their recently published works or adding their book to the online book catalog | Yes |
| Books: Listing of books recently published by your publishing house | No |
| Books: Describing how your recent book launch or event went, what you did to promote your book, and any lessons learned that would benefit other UPPAA members | Yes |
| News: Announcing an award or recognition received by a UPPAA member or other industry news | Yes |
| Advice/Questions: Asking questions or sharing personal experiences and lessons learned about publishing, working with others in the industry, book awards, book sales strategies, or other industry topics | Yes |
| Services: Recommending or promoting the services of a publisher, printer, editor, or other service provider. (However, sharing your personal experience with a provider’s services (both pro and con), especially in response to member questions, is welcome | No |
| Services: Promoting your services as a writer, editor, illustrator, or other service provider, other than through the designated service directory on UPPAA’s website | No |
Here are some examples of content not allowed on UPPAA’s platforms, and how to rewrite the content in a way that meets these guidelines:
Not Allowed:
Book 6 of my sci-fi fantasy series will be published later this year. I’m offering a pre-publication sale price for those who want to order it now. For more information and to order your copy, go to my website …
Allowed:
When I started writing Book 1 of my sci-fi fantasy series, I had no idea the journey it would take me on. As I get ready to publish Book 6 later this year, here are some of the lessons I’ve learned while writing sci-fi fantasy tales from the UP: [list some things you learned and some things you would have done differently.]
I hope this helps some aspiring authors out there. You can do it!
Not Allowed:
[Publisher XYZ] is giving away 50 copies of “[Name of Book]” by [Author] until December 18. To enter the Goodreads giveaway contest, go to this link and click on the big lozenge that says “Enter Giveaway.”
Allowed:
Book giveaways can be a strategic marketing tool. Industry expert Jane Friedman says on her blog, “The giveaway is one of the more powerful tools in the new author’s arsenal because it’s a way to get attention when you may not have anything else going for you. There is no demand curve for you yet.” However, on “Book Marketing on Amazon: How to Get Your Book Seen, Clicked, and Bought” Penny Sansevieri says the “Free book giveaway” on Amazon no longer produces traction. There are so many going all the time that they are just noise. We have used Goodreads Giveaways because it’s a bit more engaging and fun for the readers, and there is an avenue for the author to engage back with them.” Here’s how an indie author can offer a book giveaway on Goodreads: [give a link or provide advice on how to do it]
Not Allowed:
Subject: Illustrator Recommendation
I have used Jane Doe’s services for many years to illustrate children’s books. She has a variety of mediums and styles available. You’re unlikely to find a better deal anywhere in the world. Here’s a wide variety of samples [link]
Allowed:
Subject: Children’s Book Illustrators
How do you find an illustrator to help with your children’s book? If you’re working with a publisher, they will choose the illustrator. If you’re self-publishing, you will hire the artist you want to work with, but that can be a daunting task. Here’s some good advice on the topic from Moonbeam Awards for children’s books. I found one of my favorite illustrators, Jane Doe, by [doing such and such.] You can also check out the illustrators (and others) listed on UPPAA’s Resources page (www.uppaa.org/writing-resources/). If you have any questions, reach out to me at [myemail@gmail.com].
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Not Allowed:
I’m offering a 25% discount on my services to anyone who attends my upcoming Zoom workshop, “How to Make a $Million Writing Books.” I would love to coach UPPAA members to make them successful authors. The workshop is only $65, and you will come away with sure-fire tips for turning your words into cold, hard cash. Contact me at [mywebsite.com] to learn more.
Allowed:
This post on Mary Adkins’ blog is one of the best explanations I’ve seen for knowing when you might want to hire someone to help you get your book on track: 4 Signs You’re Ready to Hire a Book Writing Coach. It contains examples of situations where a coach can really help and the basics of hiring a book coach. In my experience, the right coach will guide an author over obstacles that are preventing them from doing their best work. And I hope we all agree that working with a human is much better than asking ChatGPT to be your coach, as author Audrey Kalman tried to do. If you have questions about the process, reach out to me at [myemail@gmail.com.]
