Publishing Standards

Language

At Pinsmack, we are dedicated to delivering high-quality, exclusive fiction to our subscribers. Our publishing principles guide every stage of the process, ensuring that each book aligns with our commitment to creativity, ethical standards, and inclusivity. From selecting new titles to final publication, we balance artistic vision with market opportunity, maintaining the highest standards throughout. Our goal is to provide a dynamic library of captivating stories that engage and entertain while reflecting diverse voices and perspectives.

Submission

Pinsmack is a fiction subscription service dedicated to creating and publishing fresh, exclusive ebook releases for everyone.

Our mission is to provide readers with a seamless blend of entertainment and literary quality through captivating, original stories tailored for every mood and moment. We’re proud to work closely with a talented team of in-house writers to develop titles that are exclusively available on Pinsmack. This end-to-end creative approach ensures that every book we release is carefully crafted to meet our high standards, from the first spark of an idea to the moment it reaches your library.

To maintain this unique vision, we do not accept external submissions. By managing the entire creative process in-house, we can guarantee the originality, consistency, and quality that define the Pinsmack experience. In keeping with our philosophy, we focus on the stories themselves rather than highlighting individual authors. This allows the content to shine and reinforces our commitment to delivering compelling narratives that immerse readers in unforgettable worlds.

Behind the Scenes at Pinsmack: From Concept to Publication

At Pinsmack, we believe in the power of collaboration and creativity. Every story you read is the result of a carefully crafted process, where ideas evolve, grow, and take shape into the unforgettable books you love. Here’s a glimpse into how we work with our talented in-house writers to bring our exclusive ebooks to life:

0.1. Idea Spark: The First Glimmer (1 Month)
Every book begins with a simple idea—an inspiration that could come from anywhere. Our team of writers brainstorms story concepts that align with the interests and themes we believe will captivate our readers. Whether it's a gripping crime mystery, a heartfelt romance, or a fantastical adventure, we explore many angles, always keeping in mind the wide range of voices we want to represent. This stage can take around 1 month as writers refine their ideas and pitch concepts.

0.2. Story Development: Building the World (3 Months)
Once an idea is chosen, the writer works closely with our editorial team to build the world of the story. We dive deep into the characters, setting, and plot, ensuring that each element is authentic and engaging. Writers share early drafts and outlines, getting feedback and guidance to shape the narrative in a way that will connect with readers emotionally and intellectually. This stage usually takes about 3 months, as we focus on building strong foundations and clear direction for the story.

0.3. Content Review: Crafting the Perfect Story (6 Months)
At this stage, we have the "bare bones" of the story—a detailed outline and initial structure that captures the essence of the narrative. Writers, or a team of writers, begin expanding the concept, working through multiple drafts based on the length of the story.

For shorter stories, like kids' books, the drafts may start at 500 words and may end within the same range.
For stories aimed at teens or adults who enjoy shorter reads, drafts typically start at 1,000 words and can reach 5,000 words.
For full-length novels, drafts can start at 5,000 words and extend to 100,000 words by the time final edits are completed.

Depending on the complexity of the story, either a dedicated writer or a team of writers works collaboratively. Throughout this phase, the manuscript is continuously reviewed and evaluated by our editors. Editors provide ongoing feedback on all aspects of the narrative, ensuring the pacing, character development, and emotional depth are finely tuned.

Additionally, during this phase:

Drafting the Book Cover: Our design team starts drafting the book cover, working closely with the editorial team to visually capture the essence of the story. The first cover drafts are typically reviewed and refined during this phase.
Marketing Strategy and Timing: The marketing team plans the release strategy, ensuring that the book's launch aligns with audience engagement schedules and that promotional campaigns are created to generate excitement.
Content Timing: The timing of content release is carefully managed, ensuring that everything from the marketing campaign to the ebook’s final release is seamlessly coordinated.

Disclaimer: This stage may take longer than usual if there are editorial or ethical concerns that require additional review or revisions to maintain the integrity of the story. We prioritise quality and responsibility, so the timeline may vary depending on the complexity of the content.

0.4. Final Touches: Design and Presentation (1 Month)
Once the story is polished, our design team takes over, working on eye-catching cover art and ebook formatting. Each cover is created to reflect the essence of the story, ensuring it resonates with our readers. We also check the ebook’s compatibility across devices to guarantee an optimal reading experience for everyone. The design and formatting process typically takes 1 month, ensuring that every ebook is visually captivating and ready for the readers.

0.5. Publication and Release (Ongoing, Every Friday)
After everything is finalized, the ebook is added to the Pinsmack library, ready to be enjoyed by our subscribers. Every Friday, we release new content, ensuring there’s always something fresh and exciting for our readers to discover. We take pride in knowing that the hard work of our writers, editors, and designers results in a book that feels like it was made just for you. This is an ongoing process as we continue to publish new books each week.

Pinsmack Publishing Principles

1.1. Explore Many Perspectives

At Pinsmack, our commitment to fiction is more than a promise of escapism—it’s a dedication to showcasing diverse and thought-provoking perspectives. As a subscription-based fiction platform, we craft stories that challenge, inspire, and resonate with our readers.

We believe in the power of exploring various viewpoints, understanding that creativity flourishes when ideas are tested and narratives reflect the breadth of human experience. While we create content in-house, our stories are intentionally multifaceted, offering readers an array of voices and themes.

Our approach balances the freedom of expression with responsibility. While we explore bold ideas and complex issues, we remain committed to protecting readers from content that may cause harm or perpetuate harm against individuals, groups, or society.

1.2. Careful Craftsmanship

The quality of every Pinsmack story is rooted in the attention we give to every stage of its development. From initial concepts to final production, we maintain a rigorous process to ensure each story aligns with our high standards of originality, depth, and engagement.

Concept Development: Each story begins with a careful assessment of its themes, ensuring they align with our values and the interests of our readers.
Content Review: Sensitive or controversial topics are handled with thoughtfulness, editorial justification, and, where necessary, input from subject-matter experts.
Design and Delivery: Every detail, from editing to cover design, reflects our dedication to excellence and enhances the reader’s experience.

This meticulous attention to detail ensures that Pinsmack not only delivers captivating stories but also considers the impact they may have on readers and the broader cultural landscape.

1.3. Championing Diversity and Inclusivity

We are passionate about creating stories that reflect a wide range of human experiences. As part of our mission, we work toward making fiction more inclusive, recognizing that the world of storytelling has often been shaped by limited perspectives. Through deliberate choices, we ensure that our characters, narratives, and themes represent a more diverse world.

1.4. Speaking Up and Listening

At Pinsmack, the process of creating impactful stories is a collaborative effort. We encourage open communication across all stages of content development. Whether it’s raising concerns about a sensitive storyline or sharing ideas to enhance a narrative, every voice matters. Our shared commitment to responsibility, creativity, and inclusion means that we welcome feedback—not just from our team but also from our audience. By fostering a culture of speaking up and active listening, we ensure that Pinsmack remains a trusted source for engaging, meaningful, and responsible fiction.

Sensitive Content

At Pinsmack, our goal is to provide readers with stories that entertain, inspire, and spark thoughtful discussion. As a platform dedicated to exclusive fiction, we recognize the importance of addressing sensitive or controversial topics with care and responsibility. Stories are a powerful tool for understanding complex issues, and our in-house team strives to explore these areas with integrity and editorial justification.

We’ve identified key areas where special attention is required. While we aim to tackle challenging subjects when appropriate, we prioritize thoughtful storytelling and a responsible approach in every piece of content we publish.

2. 1. Legal Considerations

Pinsmack ensures all content complies with applicable laws. Our stories are crafted to avoid material that could be libelous, infringe on privacy or intellectual property rights, or otherwise violate legal standards. Any potential issues are flagged and addressed during the editorial process, with our legal advisors consulted as needed to ensure compliance.

2.2. Content for Younger Audiences

We take special care in crafting content that may appeal to younger readers or involve child characters. Pinsmack does not shy away from tackling meaningful themes, but we handle the following topics with heightened scrutiny:

Depictions of sexual behaviour or exploitation
The misuse of substances such as alcohol, smoking, or illegal drugs
Violent or dangerous behavior

When these themes are integral to a story, strong editorial justification is required. Additionally, for content accessible to younger readers, we consider providing guidance to help contextualise these themes, fostering critical thinking and a safe reading experience.

2.3. Harm, Crime, and Discrimination

Pinsmack avoids content that may glorify, condone, or promote harmful behaviors. Specifically, we will not publish stories that:

Include excessive detail about methods of self-harm or suicide
Encourage or incite criminal activity, terrorism, or hate speech
Contain abusive or discriminatory stereotypes, language, or depictions targeting individuals, groups, or communities

2.4. Ethical Storytelling

Our commitment to responsible storytelling underpins every decision we make. Pinsmack is dedicated to creating stories that provoke thought and explore human experiences without crossing boundaries of harm or exploitation.

Through these guidelines, we ensure that every story we publish maintains the trust and respect of our readers, while continuing to push the boundaries of imaginative and meaningful fiction.

Pinsmack’s Quality Control Process

At Pinsmack, our commitment to quality storytelling is at the heart of everything we do. As both a publisher and a subscription service, we take a holistic approach to ensure that every title we release meets the highest standards of originality, creativity, and reader engagement. Our quality control process is built around four key stages, guided by shared tools, guidelines, and best practices designed to maintain consistency and excellence across our exclusive collection.

3.1. Story Concept Development

Our in-house creative team works collaboratively to brainstorm and refine story concepts that resonate with our readers. Drawing on insights from audience preferences and market trends, we carefully evaluate which ideas will bring fresh, captivating narratives to life. Every concept is reviewed to ensure it aligns with Pinsmack’s mission of delivering innovative and engaging fiction.

3.2. Content Review and Editing

Once a manuscript is completed, it undergoes a rigorous review process. Our editors assess every aspect of the story—from structure and pacing to character development and dialogue. For specific themes or genres, we may consult specialists to ensure authenticity and accuracy. This phase ensures the final story is polished and ready to captivate readers.

3.3. Design and Presentation

The creative process doesn’t stop with the story. Our design team works to craft compelling covers and layouts that reflect the tone and essence of each title. Whether it’s bold and adventurous or subtle and introspective, our visuals ensure every ebook is as visually engaging as it is narratively rich.

4.4. Publication and Reader Experience

Before any story is added to our subscription platform, it undergoes final checks to ensure seamless compatibility across devices and an optimal reading experience. Our Marketing and Engagement teams then design thoughtful campaigns to introduce new releases to our community, ensuring that every title reaches its audience effectively. Through this meticulous process, Pinsmack delivers a collection of exclusive ebooks that our readers can trust to entertain, inspire, and delight. Quality control is not just a step in our process—it’s the foundation of the Pinsmack experience.