1. What SpeechWriters Lab Is
SpeechWriters Lab ("we," "us," "the Service") is operated by The Hammerstone Group LLC. We provide two AI-assisted tools for public speaking development:
The Podium — manuscript evaluation and feedback, available by subscription.
The Rostrum — a three-level self-paced certification program (Certified Foundational Orator™, Certified Rhetorical Practitioner™, Certified Master Speaker™), available by one-time purchase per level or bundle.
By creating an account or using either tool, you agree to these Terms.
2. AI-Generated Content
Evaluations, scores, and coaching feedback are generated using artificial intelligence. They are intended as developmental guidance, not professional, medical, legal, or expert human judgment. We do not guarantee that AI-generated feedback is complete, error-free, or suited to every context. You remain responsible for how you use any feedback or materials you produce with the Service.
3. Certifications Are Not Accredited Credentials
Certified Foundational Orator™, Certified Rhetorical Practitioner™, and Certified Master Speaker™ are certifications issued solely by SpeechWriters Lab / The Hammerstone Group LLC. They are not accredited, endorsed, or recognized by any government body, educational institution, or third-party professional organization. They reflect completion of our program's requirements and evaluation criteria only.
4. Coaching Content and Named Individuals
Coaching guidance within the Service may reference communication techniques and principles associated with well-known speakers, authors, and rhetoricians, both living and historical, for educational and illustrative purposes. Reference to a living individual's name or associated technique does not imply that person's endorsement, sponsorship, affiliation with, or review of SpeechWriters Lab, and no such endorsement is claimed or intended.
5. Subscriptions, Purchases, and Payment
The Podium is billed on a recurring monthly basis. You may cancel at any time; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period, and no partial-period refunds are issued except where required by law.
The Rostrum levels and bundles are one-time purchases granting access to the corresponding certification level(s).
Payments are processed by Stripe. We do not store your full payment card details.
Prices are subject to change with notice; changes do not apply retroactively to an active subscription period already paid for.
6. Accounts and Access
Access to paid features requires an account, created via a passwordless email sign-in link or a one-time-password (OTP). You are responsible for maintaining access to the email address associated with your account. We are not liable for unauthorized account access resulting from a compromised email account.
7. Acceptable Use
You agree not to: submit content that is unlawful, infringing, or that impersonates another person; attempt to circumvent usage limits or paywalls through technical means; or use the Service to generate content intended to deceive an audience about who authored it, where doing so would violate applicable law.
8. Intellectual Property
The Podium and Rostrum evaluation rubrics, coaching content library, and certification names are the property of The Hammerstone Group LLC. You retain ownership of manuscripts and content you submit for evaluation. You grant us a limited license to process that content solely to provide the Service (including transmission to our AI evaluation provider).
9. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability
The Service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. To the maximum extent permitted by law, The Hammerstone Group LLC is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of the Service. Our total liability for any claim is limited to the amount you paid us in the twelve months preceding the claim.
10. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by an updated "Last updated" date. Continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance.
11. Contact
Questions about these Terms: jeff@thehammerstonegroup.com
See also our Privacy Policy for how we collect, use, and store your information.