Last updated: July 14, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how Necropolis Publishing, LLC ("we," "us," or "our") handles information in connection with the Lectern application (the "Software") and the website at lectern.necropolispublishing.com (the "Site"). We have built Lectern to be local-first and to collect as little about you as possible.
Lectern runs on your own device and stores your manuscripts as plain text and markdown files on your disk. We do not host your writing, we do not require an account to use the Software, and the Software does not send your manuscript content to us. If you enable the optional AI feature, you supply your own third-party API key; that key is stored locally on your device and is used to communicate directly between your device and the provider you chose (for example, OpenRouter for AI assistance, or Deepgram for Voice). We never receive or store those keys.
When you use the optional AI feature, the text you choose to process is sent from your device to the third-party provider whose key you supplied, under that provider's own privacy policy. We are not a party to that exchange and do not receive its contents. Please review the privacy policy of any provider you connect.
Lectern's optional Dictate and Orate features run only with a Deepgram API key you supply, stored locally on your device. While you use them, your microphone audio (Dictate) and the text being read aloud (Orate) travel directly from your device to Deepgram and are handled under Deepgram's privacy policy. We are not a party to that exchange and never receive your audio, your text, or your key.
To offer you new versions, the Software can check for updates by requesting release information from GitHub. That request contains no manuscript content or personal information beyond the standard connection data (such as your IP address) that any web request carries, which GitHub may process under its own privacy policy. You can trigger or decline updates from within the Software.
Purchases of Lectern Pro are handled by a third-party payment processor (currently Stripe), which collects the billing and payment information needed to complete your purchase under its own privacy policy. We do not receive or store your full payment card details. We receive limited order information (such as your email address and the product purchased) so that we can deliver your license key and provide support.
To deliver your license key and essential service messages, we use Resend as our email provider. This involves your email address and the contents of those messages being processed by Resend on our behalf.
The Site is a static website hosted on GitHub Pages. We do not set advertising or tracking cookies. Standard server logs (such as IP address and request information) may be processed by our hosting and font providers for security and delivery. The Site loads fonts from Google Fonts; when it does, your browser contacts Google's servers, which may log your IP address under Google's privacy policy.
We do not sell your personal information.
You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of the limited personal information we hold (such as your purchase email) by contacting us. Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under applicable law.
Lectern is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them.
We may update this Policy from time to time; the "Last updated" date above reflects the latest version.
Questions about privacy? Email contact@necropolispublishing.com.