Terms of Service

Last updated: June 2, 2026

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of Lectern (the "Software") and the website at lectern.necropolispublishing.com (the "Site"), both provided by Necropolis Publishing, LLC ("we," "us," or "our"), a limited liability company organized in the State of Georgia, United States. By downloading, installing, purchasing, or using the Software, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Software.

1. The Software

Lectern is a desktop writing application for long-form fiction. It is offered in a free tier and a paid "Pro" tier. Lectern stores your work as plain text and markdown files on your own device; we do not host your manuscripts.

2. Licenses

• Free tier. Granted to you for personal use at no cost, subject to these Terms.
• Pro (individual) license. A paid, one-time license for a single individual. Your purchase includes a lifetime license to the Pro tier and all future updates, as described at the time of purchase.
• Business use. Use by an organization of five (5) or more people requires a separate business license. Contact us to arrange one.

Your license is personal to you and may not be sold, shared, sublicensed, or transferred. License keys are issued to the purchasing email address.

3. Restrictions

You agree not to:

• Distribute, resell, or publish your license key, or use it to unlock Pro features on devices belonging to others;
• Reverse-engineer, decompile, or circumvent the Software's licensing or feature-gating, except to the extent that applicable law expressly permits;
• Use the Software for any unlawful purpose.

4. Third-party AI services (bring your own key)

Lectern's optional AI assistance works only when you supply your own credentials for a third-party provider (for example, OpenRouter). You are solely responsible for your account with that provider, for any fees it charges, and for complying with its terms. We do not host, generate, or store the content produced through that service, and we are not responsible for its availability, output, or charges.

5. Purchases and payment

Purchases of Lectern Pro are sold and processed by Paddle.com, which acts as our authorized reseller and Merchant of Record. Your purchase is therefore also subject to Paddle's buyer terms. Pricing, taxes, and currency are shown at checkout. Refunds are governed by our Refund Policy.

6. Disclaimer of warranties

The Software and Site are provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Software will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of harmful components.

7. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Necropolis Publishing, LLC will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for any loss of data, profits, or manuscripts, arising out of or related to your use of the Software or Site. Our total liability for any claim will not exceed the amount you paid us for the Software in the twelve (12) months before the claim arose.

8. Changes to the Software and these Terms

We may update the Software and these Terms from time to time. Material changes to these Terms will be reflected by the "Last updated" date above. Your continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

9. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Georgia, United States, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. Any dispute will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Georgia.

10. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Email necropolispublishing@gmail.com.