Privacy Policy

Smart Authors Hub (“we”, “us”, “our”) provides literary services to self-published and indie authors (editing, publishing, marketing and related services). Your privacy matters. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we use and share it, and the rights you have.

If you have questions or want to exercise your rights, email us at contact@smartauthorshub.com or smartauthorshub@gmail.com.

1. What this policy covers

This policy applies to personal data collected when you visit or use our website (https://smartauthorshub.com), submit forms (estimates, consultation requests, quote requests), download materials, sign up to our mailing list, purchase services, or otherwise interact with us online or by email.

2. Information we collect

We collect information you give us and information we collect automatically:

Information you provide (examples):

Contact details: name, email, phone number.
Project details: book title, genre, word count, manuscript files or sample pages, services requested, budget, timeline, notes.
Communications: messages you send, files you upload, and any content you include in forms, email, or chat.
Payment details: if you pay for services online we collect payment information via our payment processor (we do not store full card numbers on our servers).

Information collected automatically:

Technical and usage data: IP address, browser type, device, pages visited, referring / exit pages, timestamps, and similar analytics data.
Cookies and similar technologies for analytics, functionality and marketing (see section 6).
Form metadata (which page you submitted from, UTM parameters when present).

3. How we use your information

We use personal data to:

Respond to and fulfill requests (estimates, consultations, quotes) and to provide our services.
Communicate with you about projects, appointments, invoices, updates and marketing only where permitted.
Create and manage your account, bookings and orders.
Improve, operate and secure our website and services.
Send administrative messages, confirmations and customer-service messages.
Measure and analyze site traffic and service usage (analytics).
Comply with legal obligations and defend our legal rights.

Lawful basis (where applicable): performance of a contract, your consent (for marketing), legitimate interests (improving services, fraud prevention), and legal compliance.

4. Marketing communications & preferences

We will only send marketing emails if you have consented or if you have an existing business relationship and we rely on legitimate interest where permitted. Every marketing email contains an unsubscribe link. You may also email contact@smartauthorshub.com to opt out.

5. Who we share data with

We may share data with:

Service providers who help run our business (CRM, email provider, analytics, hosting, form processors such as SureForms, scheduling providers such as Calendly, payment processors, file storage).
Vendors providing marketing, advertising and reporting services.
Professional advisors, law enforcement or courts when required by law or to protect our rights.
Buyers or other parties in connection with a sale, merger, restructuring or similar corporate event (with notice where required).

We require third parties to protect personal data and not to use it for other purposes. Always check third-party privacy practices; we are not responsible for their sites or services.

6. Cookies & tracking

We use cookies and similar tools for:

Essential cookies — necessary for site function (forms, security).
Analytics cookies — to understand usage (Google Analytics/GA4 or similar).
Marketing cookies — to deliver tailored content and measure campaigns.

You can control cookies via your browser settings and opt-outs (browser/ad network tools). Disabling analytics cookies will not prevent basic site use but may affect personalized features.

7. Data security

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect data (encryption in transit, access controls, secure hosting, backups). No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security. If a breach affecting your personal data occurs, we will comply with applicable notification requirements.

Files & uploads: if you upload manuscripts or attachments, we store them securely and access is limited to authorized staff and contractors. For very sensitive content consider sending through secure channels or discuss alternatives with us.

8. Data retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described and to meet legal, tax and accounting obligations.

Typical retention examples:

Contact and lead records: retained for up to 2 years of inactivity (unless you request deletion earlier).
Active client project records: retained for the duration of the engagement plus 2 years for support and records.
Invoices and financial records: retained for 7 years or as required by local law.

If you want data removed sooner, see “Your rights” below.

applicable notification requirements.

9. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights under local law, including to:

Access the personal data we hold about you.
Request correction of inaccurate data.
Request deletion (erasure) of your data (subject to legal obligations to retain certain records).
Request restriction of processing.
Object to processing (including direct marketing).
Request data portability (receive a copy in machine-readable format).
Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

To exercise rights, email contact@smartauthorshub.com with “Data request” in the subject and include enough detail for us to identify you. We may need to verify your identity. Where required by law, you can also lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

10. International transfers

Smart Authors Hub may transfer, process and store data on servers located outside your country (for example where our service providers operate). Where transfers occur, we apply appropriate safeguards (standard contractual clauses or equivalent protections) to ensure your data remains protected.

11. Children

Our services are for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13 (or a higher age where required). If you believe we have collected data from a child, contact us and we will take steps to remove it.

12. Third-party links & content

Our site may link to third-party websites (partners, social networks, embedded media). We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please read their privacy policies before sharing personal information.

13. Payment & billing

When you pay for services, payment processing is handled by our third-party payment provider(s). We do not store full payment card numbers on our site. Billing information will be retained as required for accounting and tax obligations.

14. Webhooks, integrations and developer notes

We accept form submissions and automation via secure webhooks. If you integrate with us:

Use the shared secret header (for example X-WEBHOOK-TOKEN) we provide to authenticate webhook requests.
Do not send or request more personal data than necessary.
We expect partners to have appropriate security measures and a written data-processing agreement where required.

15. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy occasionally. We will post the new effective date at the top of the page and, where appropriate, notify you by email. Your continued use after changes indicates acceptance.

16. Contact us

If you have questions, requests or complaints, contact:

Smart Authors Hub
Email: contact@smartauthorshub.com | smartauthorshub@gmail.com

If you are a resident of the EU/EEA and wish to make a supervisory authority complaint, you may do so in your member state.

17. Legal disclaimer

This policy summarizes our practices and rights. It is not legal advice. For legal advice or complex compliance needs (GDPR, CCPA), consult a qualified attorney.