Morgenstern Publishing, LLC – Our Ethos
As per our founder's ideals, we believe that storytelling is a powerful force for truth, healing, and change. Our work is guided by a set of core values that reflect our commitment to ethical development, user respect, and creative independence.
1. The Responsible Handling of Mature Themes
We do not shy away from difficult or disturbing subject matter. Our stories often explore institutionalised abuse, neglected trauma, and pervasive injustice. Not to exploit, but to expose. We believe in confronting evil with unflinching honesty, not sensationalism. Our goal is to illuminate the darkest corners of human experience in order to foster understanding, empathy, and action.
2. Privacy is a Right, Not a Commodity
We respect your privacy. Morgenstern Publishing does not track your behavior, sell your data, or share your information with third parties beyond the scope of a functional webstore dedicated to providing and distributing quality goods and services. We believe trust is earned, not harvested. Our website and store are designed to function without invasive analytics or surveillance.
3. Physical Media, Local Roots
We proudly partner with local manufacturers to produce high-quality physical editions of our work. We believe in the permanence and accessibility of physical media, particularly in an age where digital content can be altered or erased without acountability or oversight. Our customers will always have the option to own a tangible copy of our stories.
4. You Bought It, You Own It: No DRM
All our digital products are sold, not licensed. That means no DRM, no restrictions, and no strings attached. When you purchase a digital title from us, it’s yours. Forever. We trust our readers and respect their right to access their media on their own terms.
5. Cultural Accuracy Over Ideology
We strive to represent people and cultures as they truly are, and not merely as political symbols. Our portrayals are informed by the beliefs, customs, and lived realities of the groups depicted, with a global lens that prioritizes accuracy over ideology. We reject both erasure and caricature. Our work is not filtered through partisan narratives and instead seeks to reflect the world as it honestly is.
6. Uncompromising Opposition to Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is a global atrocity, and we stand firmly against it. Our stories often highlight the brutal realities of trafficking, especially in East and Southeast Asia, where systemic exploitation continues to devastate lives. We believe in naming these evils directly and refusing to sanitize or ignore them. Our work is a call to awareness, resistance, and justice.
7. Feminism Rooted in Function and Resolve
Morgenstern Publishing is woman-owned, and our stories reflect an ideal grounded in strength, practicality, and resilience. We draw inspiration from M.M Morgenstern's values along with East Asian and Japanese feminist traditions, which emphasize discipline, purpose, and self-respect. Our female characters are not defined by submissiveness, permissiveness or performative empowerment. They are defined by what they endure, what they build, and what they overcome. Women think. Women act. You do not own us.
8. No to Censorship, No to Faux-Moralism
We oppose censorship and moralistic harassment from any direction, whether it be from institutions, religious and activist groups, or online mobs. We believe in the right to tell difficult stories and challenge norms without being silenced or shamed. Our work is guided by conscience, not compliance.
9. Responsible Stewardship of Resources
We reject the industry trend of financial mismanagement followed by the punishment and layoff of loyal workers. Morgenstern Publishing operates with lean, intentional resource use, ensuring that our growth does not come at the cost of human dignity. We believe in sustainable creativity, not reckless expansion and empty greed.
10. AI is a Tool, Not a Replacement
We use AI to enhance human creativity, not to replace it. Technology evolves, and we believe in adapting responsibly. Our stance is clear: AI should serve artists, not erase them. We aim to set a positive example of ethical integration, rather than passively watching corporations exploit innovation without accountability. Corporate misuse is opposed along with empty performative opposition to unavoidable realities.
11. Characters As People, Not Products
We treat our characters and intellectual properties with the respect they deserve. They are not marketing gimmicks or disposable assets. We do not dilute, distort, or exploit our creations for cheap attention. Our stories are built with care, and we honor the culture they create, never sacrificing depth for trends or controversy.
And as always...