Hearts of Appalachia Project, Inc.

Guest Contributor Agreement

Please read the agreement below and complete the fields to acknowledge

Thank you for your willingness to share your voice with Hearts of Appalachia Project, Inc. ("HOA"). This agreement simply helps us honor your work, protect your authorship, and ensure clarity as we collaborate.

1. Purpose

This Agreement outlines how submitted written, audio, or multimedia content may be shared through HOA platforms, including our website, blog, social media, printed materials, and future digital applications.

2. Original Work

• All submitted content must be the original work of the Contributor or material for which the Contributor holds the legal rights necessary to authorize publication by Hearts of Appalachia Project, Inc.

• Contributor affirms that submitted material does not knowingly infringe upon the rights of others.

• If a submission has been previously published or adapted from another work, the Contributor confirms they have the legal right to grant HOA permission to publish that material.

• If sharing stories that include identifiable individuals, Contributor confirms appropriate permission has been obtained when needed.

  
  

3. Editorial Collaboration

• If HOA believes edits are needed for clarity, formatting, or mission alignment, we will work collaboratively with the Contributor to make agreed-upon changes prior to publication.

• Submissions will not be substantively altered without the Contributor’s knowledge and consent.

• HOA reserves the right not to publish a submission if it does not align with the organization’s mission or standards.
  

4. Authorship, Usage & Cross-Publication

• Nothing in this Agreement transfers ownership of the Contributor's copyright to Hearts of Appalachia Project, Inc.

• Contributor grants HOA a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to publish, promote, archive, and share the submitted content across HOA platforms and related media.

• Excerpts may be used for promotional purposes with proper attribution.
  

Regarding Publication Elsewhere

Publication Rights

• If an article is written specifically for Hearts of Appalachia, HOA receives the right to publish it first.

• After it has been published by HOA, contributors are welcome to republish their work on their own websites, blogs, or newsletters. We simply ask that Hearts of Appalachia be credited as the original publisher and, when possible, include a link to the original article.

• Contributors are welcome to include a short biography and links to their website, blog, organization, ministry, or other writing-related projects.

5. Compensation

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, contributions are voluntary and unpaid. This Agreement does not establish an employment relationship.

6. Mission Alignment & Content Standards

Our Goal

We simply ask that articles reflect the spirit of Hearts of Appalachia by honoring the people, history, faith, and culture of our Appalachian communities.

The following content is not a good fit:

• Political advocacy or partisan messaging.

• Personal attacks or defamatory content.

• Content intended primarily to promote a business, organization, or unrelated cause.

• Stories that sensationalize hardship instead of treating people and communities with dignity.

7. Termination & Content Removal

Either party may end participation at any time with written notice.

Previously published content may remain archived unless removal is mutually agreed upon. Examples of circumstances where removal may be considered include:

• Factual errors that materially affect the integrity of the piece.

• Newly discovered copyright or permission concerns.

• Substantial mission misalignment identified after publication.

• A Contributor’s written request for removal due to personal safety, privacy, or unforeseen hardship.

  
  

HOA reserves the right to remove published content if it later violates the mission, content standards, or legal requirements of the organization.

8. Independent Contributor Status

The Contributor participates as an independent volunteer contributor. This Agreement does not create a partnership, employment, or board relationship.

9. Acknowledgment

By submitting the online Contributor Agreement form, the Contributor affirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to the terms outlined above.

Electronic submission, including typed name and date, constitutes a legally binding acknowledgment of this Agreement.

Hearts of Appalachia Project, Inc. will retain a digital record of the submission for documentation purposes.