Privacy Policy
Effective Date: January 1, 20025
Indie Book Scene (“Indie Book Scene,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information when you visit our website (the “Site”), subscribe to our emails, purchase products, or participate in our programs (including awards, freebies, and courses).
1) Scope
This Privacy Policy applies to personal information collected through our Site and related services, including:
- Newsletter signups and free resource downloads
- Course purchases and digital products
- Awards submissions and related communications
- Contact forms and support requests
- Website analytics and cookies
2) Personal Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide to Us
- Contact information: name, email address, and any information you include in messages to us.
- Account or purchase information: details related to your purchase (e.g., product purchased, date/time, receipt details).
- Awards submissions: book title, author/pen name, category selection, publication details, synopsis/blurb, links/files you provide, cover image (if requested), content warnings, and any other required fields in the submission form.
- Community participation: comments or content you submit on the Site (if enabled).
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Device and usage data: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, pages visited, time spent, and referring URLs.
- Cookies and similar technologies: used to enable site functionality, remember preferences, and measure performance.
2.3 Payment Information
Payments are processed by third-party payment processors (e.g., Square and/or other processors we may enable). We do not store full payment card numbers on our servers. The payment processor may collect and process your payment information according to its own privacy policy.
3) How We Use Personal Information
We may use personal information to:
- Provide and deliver freebies, newsletters, products, and courses
- Process payments and confirm purchases
- Administer contests/awards, including verifying eligibility, communicating about submissions, and announcing finalists/winners
- Respond to questions, requests, or customer support inquiries
- Send administrative messages (e.g., confirmations, updates, policy notices)
- Improve our Site, content, and offerings (analytics and feedback)
- Prevent fraud, enforce our terms, and protect the security of our services
4) Email Marketing & Communications
If you subscribe to our email list, we may send you updates, resources, and marketing communications. You can unsubscribe
at any time by using the “unsubscribe” link in our emails or by contacting us at indiebookscene@gmail.com.
5) Cookies & Analytics
We use cookies and similar technologies to operate our Site and understand how visitors use it. We may use analytics providers (such as Google Analytics or similar) to help measure traffic and usage trends. You can manage cookies through your browser settings.
Do Not Track: Some browsers offer “Do Not Track” settings. Because there is no consistent industry standard, our Site
may not respond to all DNT signals.
6) How We Share Personal Information
We may share personal information in the following situations:
- Service providers: vendors who help us operate the Site (e.g., website hosting, analytics, email delivery, form tools).
- Payment processors: to process transactions (e.g., Square) and manage receipts/refunds/chargebacks.
- Awards administration: with judges or contractors solely as needed to evaluate entries and administer the awards program (subject to confidentiality expectations where applicable).
- Legal and safety: if required by law or to protect rights, safety, and prevent fraud or abuse.
- Business transfers: if we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
We do not sell personal information in the traditional sense. If laws in your jurisdiction define “sale” or “sharing” differently
(e.g., for targeted advertising), see Section 10 for your choices.
7) Editorial Use of Book Information
Indie Book Scene may feature publicly available information about books, including titles, author names, descriptions, and cover images, in connection with editorial content such as reviews, recommendations, and articles.
Book covers are used for identification and promotional purposes only. If you are a rights holder and have questions or concerns about the use of your book’s cover image, please contact us and we will address the request promptly.
8) Awards & Publicity
If you enter Indie Book Scene awards, we may publish or share (as part of awards promotion) certain information such as your book title, cover, author/pen name, and award status (e.g., finalist or winner), consistent with the applicable contest Terms & Conditions.
9) Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to provide services, administer programs, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and why it was collected.
10) Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
11) Your Privacy Rights & Choices
11.1 Unsubscribe / Email Preferences
You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails. You may also contact us at indiebookscene@gmail.com to update your preferences.
11.2 Access, Correction, and Deletion
Depending on your location, you may have rights to request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information.
To make a request, contact indiebookscene@gmail.com. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling requests.
11.3 California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, you may have the right to request information about how we collect, use, and disclose personal information, and to request deletion or correction in certain circumstances. You may also have the right to opt out of “selling” or “sharing” personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising (if applicable). To submit a request, email indiebookscene@gmail.com.
11.4 EEA/UK Privacy Rights (GDPR)
If you are located in the EEA or UK, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict processing, object to processing,
and data portability. Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw it at any time. You may also lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. To contact us, email indiebookscene@gmail.com.
12) Children’s Privacy
Our Site is not intended for children under 13 (or under 16 in certain jurisdictions). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information, please contact us so we can delete it.
13) International Visitors
If you access our Site from outside the United States, your information may be processed in the United States or other locations where our service providers operate. By using the Site, you understand your information may be transferred across borders.
14) Third-Party Links
Our Site may link to third-party websites (such as retailers or social platforms). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those
third parties. Please review their privacy policies.
15) Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will revise the “Effective Date” above when changes are made. Your continued use of the Site after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.
16) Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, contact:
- Indie Book Scene
- Email: indiebookscene@gmail.com