Skip to content

Terms & Conditions

Please read these Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) carefully. They govern your use of Smart Authors Hub’s website and services. By accessing or using our website, requesting a quote, purchasing services, or otherwise engaging Smart Authors Hub (“we”, “us”, “our”), you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use our website or services.

1. Definitions

  • Client / You: the individual or organisation that engages Smart Authors Hub for services.

  • Services: any editorial, design, publishing, marketing, advisory or related services offered by Smart Authors Hub, including but not limited to editing, cover design, formatting, distribution support, marketing campaigns, trailers, and consulting.

  • Deliverables: all finished files, assets and outputs provided to the Client as part of the Services.

  • Agreement: the written confirmation of services and price (quote, proposal, invoice or order confirmation) provided by Smart Authors Hub and accepted by the Client.

2. Formation of Contract

  1. All Services are provided only after we issue a written quote/proposal and the Client accepts it by signing, paying the deposit, or otherwise authorising work to begin.

  2. These Terms, together with the relevant quote/proposal, form the contract between the parties and supersede prior communications.

3. Scope of Services

  1. Services and Deliverables, including timelines, are specified in the accepted quote/proposal. Any work requested beyond that scope is additional and will be quoted separately.

  2. We may use third-party suppliers or contractors to perform parts of the Services; we remain responsible for overall performance.

4. Pricing, Deposit & Payment

  1. Unless otherwise agreed, a deposit equal to 50% of the agreed fee is required to begin work. The balance is due on delivery or as defined in the quote (milestone schedule).

  2. All prices are quoted in the currency stated in the quote. Client is responsible for any applicable taxes, duties, payment fees or bank charges.

  3. If the Client requests changes after delivery that fall outside the agreed revision rounds, additional fees may apply.

  4. Late payments may incur interest at the lesser of 1.5% per month or the maximum permitted by law, plus reasonable collection costs.

5. Cancellations & Refunds

  1. Deposits are non-refundable except where we expressly agree otherwise in writing.

  2. If the Client cancels after work has started, the Client remains liable for all work completed and any non-recoverable third-party costs; we will invoice for work in progress.

  3. For any paid deliverable that is demonstrably defective or not delivered as agreed, the Client’s sole remedy is re-performance or, if we cannot reasonably re-perform, a partial refund proportional to the defective element. Final refunds are at our discretion and in accordance with the Agreement.

6. Revisions, Acceptance & Delivery

  1. The quote/proposal will state the number of revision rounds included. Revision rounds cover only the scope described in the Agreement. Additional revisions are chargeable.

  2. Deliverables will be delivered in the formats stated in the Agreement. The Client must review deliverables and notify us of any requested changes within 14 days of delivery; failure to notify within 14 days constitutes acceptance.

  3. We are not responsible for delays caused by the Client (late feedback, missing materials, or third-party approvals). Such delays may extend delivery timelines and incur additional fees.

7. Intellectual Property & Rights

  1. The Client retains copyright in the underlying manuscript and any content they provide.

  2. Upon full payment, we grant the Client a non-exclusive license to use the Deliverables for the purposes set out in the Agreement. Ownership of any bespoke graphic assets, source files or design files (“Work Files”) transfers only if explicitly stated in the Agreement.

  3. We may retain copies of work such as templates, tools and processes used to produce Deliverables. We retain ownership of our pre-existing intellectual property and of any creative materials not specifically assigned in writing.

  4. Unless the Client requests and pays for exclusive rights or a different assignment, we may use anonymized examples of the Client’s Deliverables for our portfolio, marketing, case studies and promotions. Clients may request anonymization or opt-out in writing.

8. Confidentiality

  1. Each party will keep confidential all non-public information disclosed by the other and will not disclose it except to employees, contractors or advisors on a need-to-know basis or as required by law.

  2. We may disclose the Client’s name and a brief, anonymized summary of the project in our portfolio and marketing materials unless the Client requests otherwise in writing.

9. Client Obligations

  1. The Client must supply complete, accurate and timely materials, including manuscript files, images, credentials, permissions for third-party content, and approvals.

  2. The Client warrants that they have the rights to any materials supplied and that such materials do not infringe third-party rights or applicable law. The Client will obtain any required permissions or releases.

  3. If the Client provides images, text, or other third-party content, the Client agrees to indemnify us against any claim arising from that content.

10. Warranties & Disclaimers

  1. We warrant that we will perform Services with reasonable skill and care in accordance with the Agreement.

  2. Except as expressly provided, all other warranties (express or implied) are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

  3. We do not guarantee sales, rankings, reviews, advertising performance, or specific commercial outcomes resulting from our Services.

11. Limitation of Liability

  1. To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claim arising out of or related to these Terms or the Agreement is limited to the total fees paid by the Client for the Services that gave rise to the claim.

  2. We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive or exemplary damages, or for loss of profits, business, revenue, reputation, data or goodwill, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

12. Indemnity

The Client agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Smart Authors Hub and its officers, employees and contractors from any claims, losses, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from: (a) Client’s breach of these Terms; (b) Client’s materials or content infringing third-party rights; or (c) Client’s misuse of Deliverables or Services.

13. Third-Party Services & Platforms

  1. If Services include setup or management of third-party platforms (e.g., Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, advertising platforms), the Client’s account will be subject to the third-party provider’s terms and policies. We are not responsible for third-party platform decisions or outcomes.

  2. Any fees charged by third parties (ISBNs, distribution, advertising spend, paid listings, narrators, stock imagery, etc.) are payable by the Client unless otherwise agreed.

14. Testimonials, Case Studies & Publicity

By default we may publish anonymized case studies and testimonials. If you provide a testimonial, you grant us the right to display it. We will obtain explicit consent before publishing any testimonial that includes personally identifying details.

15. Termination

  1. Either party may terminate the Agreement for material breach if the breach remains uncured 14 days after written notice.

  2. On termination, the Client must pay for Services performed up to the termination date and any non-recoverable third-party costs. We will deliver completed work for which full payment has been made.

16. Force Majeure

We are not liable for failures or delays caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including acts of God, pandemics, strikes, power outages, internet disruption, or third-party failures. In such cases we will work to resume performance as soon as practicable.

17. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. The parties will first attempt to resolve any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms in good faith through direct negotiation. If the parties cannot resolve the dispute within thirty (30) days of written notice, either party may bring a claim in the state or federal courts located in New York County (Manhattan), New York, which shall have exclusive jurisdiction and venue for such claims.

18. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. The updated Terms will be posted on our website with a revised effective date. Continued use of our website or Services after changes indicates acceptance of the updated Terms.

19. Entire Agreement

These Terms together with the accepted quote/proposal constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede prior agreements and understandings.

20. Severability & Assignment

If any provision of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, the remainder will continue in effect. The Client may not assign the Agreement without our prior written consent. We may assign the Agreement in connection with a sale or reorganisation of our business.

21. Contact

For questions, notices or to exercise your rights, contact:
Smart Authors Hub
Email: contact@smartauthorshub.com | smartauthorshub@gmail.com