• Why and how a publisher is listed;
• Who is allowed to update a listing; and
• Under what circumstance a listing will be removed.

Why and how a publisher is listed
A listing is created for a publisher when details of that publisher are posted via our online form, submitted either by one of our users or by the publisher in question. This will be cleared for inclusion on the site for the benefit of subscribers usually within 48 hours, subject to checking, and providing it reaches our minimum listing requirements, which are as follows:

• the existence of the publisher is independently verifiable;
• the name of the publisher is provided;
• at least one genre is ticked under "material published";
• at least one valid means of contact is provided
• a full and accurate description of the publisher and / or its policies is included; and
• the listing is truthful in every respect and does not mislead or give a false or restricted view of the publisher.

If these minimum requirements are not met the listing will either not be posted or we will, where possible / appropriate, conduct research to bring the listing up to the minimum required level.

firstwriter.com may at its discretion omit, add, or edit material in a listing if it is felt to be in the interest of the database.

Who is allowed to update a listing
Where listings have been posted by a user we will accept additional information from any other user who uses the online form to suggest alterations. Where listings have been submitted or updated by the publisher in question we will preserve the information as the publisher intended. In this situation the listing can only be amended by the publisher. Additional information, including such information as email addresses, fax numbers, etc. will not be added (even if received) except at the discretion of the publisher in question.

Publishers can take control of their listing at any time by using the online form. If the information does not meet the minimum requirements then the listing will not be amended and will remain open to public alteration.

Under what circumstances a listing will be removed
Listings will be removed if we receive independently verifiable information that the publisher has ceased to operate and under no other circumstances. Publishers should be aware that if listings are removed due to false notifications of closure from the publisher in question the likelihood is that the publisher's details will be posted again by a user typically within 4 to 6 weeks. We therefore advise publishers to instead take control of their listing by using the online form, thereby controlling the content of the listing and preventing further alteration by the public.