Freedom to create.
Rigour in publishing.

At Éditions du Cabinet Noir, we see literature and the arts, above all, as spaces for freedom, imagination and human expression. Every work begins with an intention, a sensibility and a distinctive way of seeing the world. It may take shape through different approaches, drawing on traditional methods or the possibilities offered by new technologies. We do not seek to rank these approaches. A work’s value lies not in the tool itself, but in the creative intention behind it, the effort that shapes it and the emotion it conveys.

The history of creativity is also a history of changing techniques and practices. Artificial intelligence is now part of that evolution. It can support writing, spark the imagination, help explore new ideas or contribute to the creation of visual worlds. We recognise its place among the tools available to creators today, without treating its use as either a necessity or a guarantee of quality.

One author may choose to write every sentence without technological assistance. Another may use digital tools to develop, structure or enrich their work. Both approaches deserve equal respect.

We believe that creativity extends beyond the initial act of writing or drawing. It also lies in choices, transformations, decisions about what to leave out, revisions and the ability to give a work coherence and a character of its own. The freedom to create also means the freedom to choose one’s tools.

Our openness to different creative practices does not mean that we accept every work indiscriminately. We pay particular attention to the quality of the writing, narrative coherence, the originality of the worlds depicted, the depth of the characters and the sensibility that runs through each work. We reject carelessly produced works, incoherent narratives and material that lacks a genuine artistic intention.

We uphold the rights of writers, illustrators and all creators. We distinguish inspiration from unlawful copying, in accordance with intellectual property law.

Readers’ trust is a cornerstone of our publishing approach. We believe readers should be able to choose a work with an understanding of the principles that guide its publisher. When a book’s illustrations are predominantly AI-generated, we undertake to state this clearly within the book, in a straightforward and factual manner.

Our aim is not to champion a technology over a tradition, but to make room for different sensibilities, generations and creative practices to coexist within the literary world. We deeply respect both those who create without AI and those who explore its possibilities. Neither approach, in itself, determines a work’s artistic value.