PUBLICARE ET NON NOCERE.
Pronounced:
poo-blee-kah-ray et non no-seh-ray
Translated from Latin, it means:
Publish and do no harm.
It is:
A clarion call for ethical conduct from
agents, editors, publishers, publicists,
reviewers, and media—encouraging
honesty, kindness, empathy, and
consideration for a writer’s
emotional and financial
well-being.
*
The origin of this mantra was scribbled in a journal after another story from another writer about something that broke their heart, or broke their bank account, or both. I imagined, like the medical Hippocratic Oath, Primum non nocere (First do no harm), there could be something similar for the underbelly of the book world.
So I conjured one.
In Latin, “Publicare” means “to make public,” “to issue,” and “to release”—and it’s the root of the English word “publish.” Ah! That will work.
So, Publicare et non nocere became the hopeful oath: Publish and do no harm.
For writers—it’s a mantra, a chant, a curse—hoping any individuals or organizations they interact with on the journey of writing, editing, pitching, publishing, promoting, reviewing, featuring, and discussing their book will treat their hard work with respect and them with kindness, honesty, and generosity.