At WordPatch, we take the accuracy and reliability of our writing, publishing and media coverage seriously. Our editorial team sources information from official publisher data, author statements, hands-on software testing, book review copies, direct interviews with industry professionals and our own editorial experience. We verify claims against primary documents, publicly available records and trusted industry sources. Every piece of reporting – whether a book publishing update, a software review or a grammar explainer – is built on a foundation of verifiable evidence. We clearly label opinion, analysis and commentary, and we never present rumour as fact.
Official and primary sources
We regularly consult the following official and authoritative sources to support our reporting on publishing, books, media and digital culture:
- The Publishers Association – UK trade body for book, journal and digital publishers; provides industry data, policy updates and market reports.
- The Bookseller – Leading UK publishing trade magazine; we monitor its news, charts and analysis for sector trends.
- Companies House – Official register of UK company information; used to verify corporate details and ownership structures.
- British Library – National library of the UK; a key source for bibliographic records, literary research and publishing heritage.
- Office for National Statistics – UK’s national statistical institute; provides data on employment, education and media consumption used in our analysis.
Regulatory and standards bodies
We align our editorial practices with recognised UK standards and monitor guidance from the following bodies:
- IPSO – Independent Press Standards Organisation; our editorial policy follows IPSO’s Editors’ Code of Practice for accuracy, privacy and fairness.
- ICO – Information Commissioner’s Office; we adhere to UK data protection law and report on privacy issues affecting digital publishing.
- Advertising Standards Authority – Regulates advertising in the UK; we ensure all commercial content meets ASA rules on labelling and disclosure.
What we rely on day to day
Our reporting draws on a consistent set of trusted inputs. Every article is built from one or more of the following:
- Official publisher information – press releases, annual reports, catalogue data and public statements.
- Author statements – direct quotes and interviews, verified where possible against other sources.
- Company and product documentation – whitepapers, user manuals, developer guides and technical specifications.
- Software release notes and changelogs – used for tool coverage and productivity reviews.
- Direct interviews – conducted with writers, editors, publishers, educators and technology creators.
- Press releases – from industry bodies, publishers, software companies and cultural organisations.
- Review copies – physical and digital books, access to software and platforms provided for editorial review.
- First-hand product and software testing – our team uses and evaluates tools, platforms and services before writing about them.
- Verified public social posts – from authoritative accounts; we verify content before citing.
- Credible publishing, media and technology reporting – we build on work from established outlets, always linking to original sources.
We never publish unverified claims. Any rumour, speculation or unconfirmed report that we mention is explicitly labelled as such, with a clear explanation of its status.
How to challenge our reporting
We are committed to correcting errors quickly and transparently. If you believe we have made a factual mistake, omitted important context or misrepresented a source, please get in touch. Our corrections policy outlines how we handle errors. You can email the corrections team directly at corrections@wordpatch.co.uk.
For more serious concerns about our editorial standards or conduct, please refer to our complaints procedure. We will acknowledge your complaint promptly and work to resolve it fairly.
Our fact-checking team is also available at factcheck@wordpatch.co.uk to answer questions about specific articles or sources. For general editorial queries, see our editorial policy or read more about our fact-checking approach. To learn how we operate as a publication, visit our Our Story page.