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Effective date: October 7, 2025
Covers: Sage Black, Hope Ironsmith, Ava Dare, and Lisa Monroe (the “Author Brands”), including their websites, newsletters, stores, reader groups, and social channels (collectively, the “Services”).
Contact: privacy@dlbpublishing.com
1) Who we are
This Privacy Policy explains how the Author Brands collect, use, share, and protect personal information. The data controller for the Services is:
DLB Publishing, 22540 Mariposa Rd, Tehachapi, Ca 93561, DLB@dlbpublishing.com
2) What we collect
We collect the following categories of information:
- Identifiers and contact info: name, email address, social media handle, mailing address (if you provide it for giveaways or physical items).
- Transactional info: order details if you buy directly from us. If you purchase through retailers (e.g., Amazon, Apple, Kobo), we do not receive your full payment data—only limited reporting the retailer provides.
- Marketing preferences: newsletter opt-ins, genre interests, pen-name preferences.
- User-generated content: replies to emails, form responses, survey answers, support messages.
- Technical data: IP address, device type, browser, pages viewed, links clicked.
- Cookies/Tags: cookies, pixels, and similar technologies for analytics and marketing.
We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal information (e.g., health data, precise geolocation). Please do not provide it.
3) How we get it
- Directly from you: newsletter sign-ups, giveaway entries, ARC or street-team forms, purchase checkout forms, email replies, contact forms, reader surveys.
- Automatically: cookies, pixels, analytics when you use our sites or open our emails.
- From third parties: ebook distribution or giveaway platforms; ad platforms and social networks that share limited insights; payment processors for direct sales.
4) Why we use it (lawful bases)
- Provide the Services: send newsletters, reader magnets, ARC emails, purchase confirmations, and support. (Contract / Legitimate interests)
- Personalize content and recommendations: tailor newsletters or pages to your interests. (Consent / Legitimate interests)
- Analytics and improvement: understand what readers enjoy and fix issues. (Legitimate interests / Consent, where required)
- Marketing: send updates and promotions for the Author Brands; run ads or lookalike audiences where permitted. (Consent / Legitimate interests)
- Legal and security: prevent fraud, comply with laws, maintain records. (Legal obligation / Legitimate interests)
You can opt out of marketing at any time by using Unsubscribe links or contacting us.
5) Cookies and similar tech
We use cookies, web beacons, and pixels to:
- keep you logged in or remember preferences
- measure email opens and link clicks
- understand site performance and improve content
- deliver or measure advertising
You can manage cookies in your browser settings. Where required, we will present a cookie banner to obtain consent.
6) Sharing your information
We share data with service providers that act on our behalf:
- Email & newsletters: AWeber (campaign delivery, list management, engagement metrics).
- Ebook delivery/reader magnets/ARCs: BookFunnel and StoryOrigin (file hosting, download fulfillment, ARC management).
- Hosting & infrastructure: Hostwinds (website hosting, server logs, CDN/security as applicable).
- Advertising platforms: Amazon Ads and Meta (ad delivery/measurement, audience tools where permitted by law/consent).
We don’t sell your personal information for money. Some ad activities may be considered “sharing” or “targeted advertising” under certain privacy laws; see Your rights to opt out.
No payments collected: We do not currently process payments or run an online store. If this changes, we’ll update this policy and list the payment processor(s).
We may disclose information if required by law, to protect rights/safety, or during a business reorganization.
7) International transfers
Our providers may process data in countries other than your own. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards (such as Standard Contractual Clauses) to protect your information.
8) Data retention
We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described above, to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Typical retention:
- newsletter data until you unsubscribe or your address bounces;
- purchase records and tax-relevant data as required by law;
- analytics data per provider defaults or until deleted/aggregated.
9) Your rights
Depending on your location (e.g., EU/UK GDPR, California CCPA/CPRA, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, etc.), you may have rights to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Correct inaccurate information
- Delete your information
- Port your information in a usable format
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
- Opt out of marketing emails at any time
- Opt out of “sale,” “sharing,” or targeted advertising where applicable
To exercise rights, email rights@dlbpublishing.com with your request and the pen name(s) you interact with. We may ask for verification. You can opt out of marketing instantly via the Unsubscribe link in any newsletter. To limit cookie-based ads, adjust your browser settings and your preferences on the relevant ad platforms.
10) Children’s privacy
Our content and Services are intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe a child provided us information, contact us to delete it.
11) Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information. No system can be guaranteed 100% secure, so please use strong passwords and be cautious with links.
12) Third-party links
The Services may link to retailers, social media, or other sites we do not control. Their privacy practices govern any data you provide there.
13) Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or the law. The updated version will show a new “Effective date.” Material changes will be highlighted where appropriate.
14) How to contact us
Questions, requests, or complaints: [privacy@yourdomain.com]
Postal mail: [Your Publishing LLC], [Address, City, State/Region, Country]
Supervisory authority contact (EU/UK residents): you may lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority in addition to contacting us.
Optional: Brand-specific contact lines
- Sage Black: sageblack@cowboyromance.com
- Hope Ironsmith: author@hopeironsmith.com
- Ava Dare: avadare@rockstarromance.com
- Lisa Monroe: lisamonroe@dlbpublishing.com