We believe that art, like other story forms, emerges from a human spark: the messy, miraculous, beautiful experience of being alive. No machine can replicate that spark.

That said, we also recognize that creative tools, including AI-assisted design tools, can be powerful aids in shaping, refining, or unlocking artistic visions, especially for artists who face barriers of time, physical ability, or access to traditional resources.

We welcome artwork that originates from a human creative impulse. If AI tools have supported your process, whether as a sketch generator, a texture enhancer, or a brainstorming tool, you are welcome here. We simply ask that you, the human artist, remain the primary creator: the hand on the brush, the eye making choices, the creative consciousness behind the piece.

We frequently use fully AI-generated images because we, too, are limited by time and resources. However, for this cover, we are seeking to support a human artist, and so we’re not in the market for artwork where human authorship is minimal or absent (e.g., random AI prompt generations with no meaningful human input). But we trust our artists to use every tool at their disposal with integrity and discernment, in service of their own artistic vision.

If you’re unsure whether your submission fits this guideline, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to have the conversation.