Policies & TOS

Terms of Service for StorySphere

Updated on: August 5th 2025

Welcome to StorySphere!

These Terms of Service ("Terms") outline the rules and guidelines for using the StorySphere website, accessible at library.historyandstuff.org. By accessing this website, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree to all of the terms and conditions stated on this page, please do not use StorySphere.

These Terms are a legally binding agreement between you and StorySphere, operated by library.historyandstuff.org.

Your Content and Intellectual Property

Ownership and Control

All stories, including their text, images, and other creative elements, are the property of the author. By submitting a story to StorySphere, you grant StorySphere a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, display, and distribute your story through the StorySphere platform.

You, as the author, retain full control over your content, including the right to:

• Delete your story at any time.

• Update or edit your story.

• Share your story on other platforms.

• Transfer ownership of your story.

• Earn from any sales of your story, according to the platform's compensation model.

• Request their story page to update before the automatic two week updates.

Exceptions for Linked Accounts

If your StorySphere account is linked to the AdvitCare Rewards Program and your rewards account is subsequently deleted for any reason (e.g., account deletion by the user or by the program administrator via banning), the ownership of all stories associated with that account automatically transfers to StorySphere.

In such cases, StorySphere gains full, unrestricted ownership of the story and may handle it as we see fit, including but not limited to:

• Deleting the story.

• Updating or editing the story.

• Sharing or transferring the story.

• Earning from its sales.

Account Updates & Story Stars

Story Stars are a reward system on StorySphere. Any stars or rewards you earn from your stories are updated on the story page itself twice a month. However, for a real-time view of your earnings, please refer to your author's page, where your stars and rewards are updated instantly. Emails about your earnings are not always sent out, so your author's page is the best place to check for the most current information.

General Terms

Cookies

StorySphere uses cookies to personalize your online experience. By using our website, you consent to our use of these required cookies.

License

Unless otherwise stated, library.historyandstuff.org and its licensors own the intellectual property rights for all material on StorySphere. All intellectual property rights are reserved. You may access this material for your own personal use, subject to the restrictions in these Terms.

Prohibited Actions for Readers & Authors

Without explicit permission, you must not:

• Copy or republish material from StorySphere that isn't your own.

• Sell material from StorySphere that isn't your own.

• Reproduce, duplicate, or copy material from StorySphere that isn't your own.

• Redistribute content from StorySphere that isn't your own.

Content Moderation

StorySphere reserves the right to monitor all comments and content and to remove any that we deem inappropriate, offensive, or in breach of these Terms.

User Warranties

By posting content or comments on our website, you represent and warrant that:

• You have the right to post the content and possess all necessary licenses and consents to do so.

• The content does not infringe on any intellectual property rights, including copyrights, patents, or trademarks of any third party.

• The content will not be used to promote business, commercial activities, or unlawful activity.

Linking to Our Website

You may link to StorySphere without prior written approval if you are a:

• Government agency.

• Search engine.

• News organization.

• Online directory distributor (in the same manner as you link to other listed businesses).

• System-wide Accredited Business (excluding non-profit organizations, charity shopping malls, and charity fundraising groups).

Your link must not be deceptive, falsely imply sponsorship, endorsement, or approval, and must fit within the context of your site.

We may consider and approve other link requests from various organizations. We will approve these requests if the link does not negatively affect us, the organization has no negative record with us, and the link provides a clear benefit to us.

Approved organizations may hyperlink to our website using our corporate name, the URL, or any other description that makes sense within the context of your site. Using the StorySphere logo or other artwork for linking is not permitted without a trademark license agreement.

Purchases and Payments

Transaction Confirmation

All purchases made on StorySphere are subject to a confirmation period. While we strive to process transactions as quickly as possible, please be aware that it may take up to one week for a purchase to be fully confirmed and for the associated content or services to be made available. This period allows for a secure and reliable processing of all transactions.

Accuracy of Information

By making a purchase, you agree that the payment information you provide is accurate, current, and complete. You are responsible for all charges incurred under your account, including any applicable taxes.

Compensation Model for Authors

StorySphere offers several ways for you to earn from your creative work.

1. Gifting Stars

Readers and other authors can purchase Stars from the StorySphere shop and gift them to stories and poems they appreciate. Each Star is equivalent to $1 USD and is added to the author's balance. This provides a direct and transparent way for your audience to support your work.

2. Direct Sales to Reading Clubs

Stories and poems on StorySphere are regularly viewed by our internal readers' clubs, which include popular authors, educational foundations, and libraries. These clubs may purchase copies of your work.

• Price Negotiation: If a club makes an offer to purchase your work, you have the right to negotiate a final price if the initial offer is not suitable.

• Finished Products: StorySphere also offers the right to distribute and sell finished products of your work, such as curated collections or anthologies, to these clubs on your behalf.

3. StorySphere Points on AdvitCare Rewards Program

Linked accounts to the AdvitCare Rewards Program is the system where stars earned on StorySphere can also be added as points on the Rewards Program. Users/Authors by linking accounts, acknowledge that a payout using the StorySphere Points on the Rewards Program will remove the amount of monetary value in their balance for the points paid out.

Rights of Purchased Content

Please note that purchasing a copy of an author's work from StorySphere or one of its reading clubs does not grant a license to use, distribute, or sell the work for profit. The purchased copy is for private, personal use only. The copyright and intellectual property rights remain with the author, as outlined in our Terms of Service. This ensures the work is protected and that the author receive proper credit and compensation for it.

Disclaimer

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, we exclude all representations, warranties, and conditions related to our website and its use. Nothing in this disclaimer will limit or exclude our or your liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any liabilities that cannot be excluded under applicable law.

Since the website and its services are provided free of charge, we will not be liable for any loss or damage of any nature.