This applies everywhere on Lit Hype Squad — every squad, every chat, every message. No author can switch it off in their own squad, and no squad owner can decide it doesn't apply to them.
It is short on purpose. Read it once.
Nothing that attacks or demeans anyone for their race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, disability, age, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Not as a joke. Not as a quote. Not "just asking questions". This is removed on sight and usually ends in a permanent ban from the platform, not just from one squad.
No threatening anyone. No encouraging anyone to hurt themselves or someone else. No celebrating violence done to real people.
Fiction is fiction — write whatever you like in your books. A threat aimed at a real person is not fiction, and we treat it accordingly.
No pile-ons. No mocking someone for how they write, what they read, or how much they know. No following someone from squad to squad to have another go.
Disagreeing with someone is fine. Making someone dread opening the app is not.
No unwanted sexual attention. No repeatedly contacting someone who has asked you to stop. No posting anyone's private information — address, workplace, real name, anything they haven't shared themselves. No using tags to hound somebody.
If a person asks you to leave them alone, that is the end of it. There is no version of "but I only wanted to explain" that makes continuing acceptable.
Every chat has a report button. It takes a screenshot and sends it to your author and their team.
Anything involving threats, self-harm, or someone's private details goes to Lit Hype Squad staff as well as the author — because an author shouldn't be the only person who ever sees that, and shouldn't have to handle it alone.
You will never be penalised for reporting something in good faith. Not by us. If an author penalises you for it, report that too.
We look at what you sent. Depending on what it is:
You'll be told the outcome of anything you report.
If you're having thoughts of harming yourself, please talk to someone who can actually help — a friend, your doctor, or a crisis line in your country. We're a platform for book promotion. We care what happens to you, and we're not equipped to be your support.
In the US and Canada you can call or text 988. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans are on 116 123, free, any hour.
Email hey@lithypesquad.com. A person reads it.