Terms & Conditions

These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern your participation in The Shoot System™ Cooperative LLC (“the Cooperative,” “we,” “us,” “our”). By joining the cooperative, earning or spending credits, submitting work, or offering work to others, you agree to these Terms.

1. Cooperative Purpose

The Shoot System™ is a member-driven publishing cooperative. Members exchange skill, effort, or services (“Contributions”) to earn credits that may be used to move their own manuscripts through editing, design, and formatting workflows.

2. Membership Eligibility

• At least 18 years old
• Able to legally enter a cooperative service agreement
• Willing to uphold cooperative standards of quality and conduct

Membership may require monthly dues if elected by the cooperative or as stated on our website.

3. Accounts & Access

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining accurate account information
• Protecting your login credentials
• Not sharing your account with others

We may suspend or terminate access for violations of these Terms.

4. Contributions & Credits

4.1 Earning Credits

You earn credits by performing approved contributions such as:

• Editing
• Proofreading
• Formatting
• Cover design
• Beta reading
• Administrative assistance

Only approved work submitted through official workflows earns credits.

4.2 Spending Credits

Credits may be used to:

• Obtain editing, formatting, or design services
• Access premium cooperative features
• Fund your manuscript’s progress through the publishing workflow

Credits have no cash value and cannot be sold, except through formally approved cooperative programs.

4.3 Transparency

Members understand their contributions may be reviewed for quality control.

5. Creative Ownership & Rights

You retain full copyright and full royalties over your manuscript. The Cooperative does not claim ownership of your writing, cover art, or intellectual property.

However:

• You grant the Cooperative a temporary license to store, review, and process your files.
• You agree not to submit plagiarized or infringing material.

Violations may result in removal from the cooperative.

6. Standards of Conduct

Members agree to:

• Treat others with respect
• Provide honest, ethical contributions
• Meet deadlines they commit to
• Maintain confidentiality regarding other members' manuscripts
• Follow cooperative workflow standards

Harassment, discrimination, or exploitation will result in immediate removal.

7. Payments & Dues

If monthly dues or fees apply:

• They are displayed clearly on our website
• They are non-refundable unless otherwise stated
• Failure to pay may freeze your account or credit access

8. Disclaimers

The Cooperative provides peer-based support, not professional guarantees.

We do not guarantee:

• Commercial success
• Sales performance
• Literary agent representation
• Publishing contracts

You are responsible for final decisions about your manuscript.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

• The Cooperative is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• Total liability is limited to the amount you’ve paid in dues over the past 12 months
• Members accept the inherent risks of peer-based collaboration

10. Termination

We may terminate or suspend membership for violations, including:

• Abuse of the credit system
• Plagiarism
• Harassment
• Failure to meet cooperative standards

Members may leave at any time, but unused credits are forfeited.

11. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Colorado.

12. Contact

For questions about these Terms:

admin@theshootsystem.com
The Shoot System™ Cooperative LLC
Colorado, USA