I am a registered sole trader operating as Dark Sky Pages. I provide editorial, commercial, developmental and administrative support to the literature sector. I work with publishers, book festivals, creative writing organisations, charities, bookshops and independent authors. My clients are predominantly in the UK but may be worldwide.
This privacy policy explains how I use and safeguard the information you give me. If you are asked to provide information, it will only be used in ways stated in this policy.
This privacy policy was last updated on 21st April 2022 and will be reviewed every three years or as necessary.
Why do I collect data from you?
I collect and use information about you in order to:
- respond to your requests for information and provide mutually agreed services
- allow me to contact you while a project is ongoing
- better understand how visitors use this website.
What information do I collect from you?
I collect only the following minimal information:
- your name
- your contact postal address, if required
- your email address and/or telephone number
- information pertinent to your enquiry, e.g., the length of your manuscript for editorial work or metadata about a title I may present to bookshops on your behalf
- copies of our email correspondence.
I will never use this data for marketing or promotion purposes without getting your permission in writing first (for example, to publish your testimonial for me on my website).
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
I do not collect any financial information via this website. If you engage my services, I will send you an invoice by email or by post. I accept cheques only in exceptional circumstances for accessibility reasons and would not otherwise hold your financial information.
PROJECT INFORMATION
I may keep project information, documents and correspondence indefinitely unless you ask me to delete them. This is for ease of reference in the event of undertaking future projects with you. I will also maintain a record of our contract for services for reference purposes and to maintain my business records.
How do I use cookies?
A cookie is a small file placed on your computer’s hard drive. It enables my website to identify your computer as you view different pages on my website.
The only way in which I use cookies is for web analytics, specifically Google Analytics.
Cookies do not provide me with access to your computer or any information about you other than that which you elect to share with me.
You can use your web browser’s cookie settings to determine how my website uses cookies. If you do not want my website to store cookies on your computer or device, you can amend your settings. Please note that this may affect how my website functions, and some pages may become unavailable to you.
To learn more about cookies, visit All About Cookies.
To read Google’s privacy statement, and how you can request that I remove your information from my analytics data, see Google’s data privacy policies and approach and its data processing terms.
How do I collect your personal data?
I collect and store limited information via the following forms:
- Contact form (via WordPress)
- Email (via GSuite)
I will never lease, distribute or sell your information to third parties unless you give me written permission to do so, or I am required to do so by law.
You can ask me to remove your data from WordPress at any time.
How do I store your personal data?
The limited information I collect is stored on the following data servers:
WordPress. This is my website host. It is password-protected and has SSL-certification (https) to provide an additional layer of security. You can access WordPress’s privacy policy here.
Dropbox. This is my cloud-based file management system accessed via my password-protected computer. My Dropbox account is protected by a two-step password-authentication process. You can access Dropbox’s privacy policy here.
GSuite by Google. This is the password-protected server I use to communicate via email. You can access Google’s privacy policy here.
DATA SERVERS IN THE UNITED STATES
Dropbox and Google’s servers are based in the US but are registered with the EU–US Privacy Shield.
How long do I keep your data for?
As several of my clients work with me more than once, I do not delete data unless specifically requested to do so.
HMRC requires me to keep records for ‘at least 5 years after the 31 January submission deadline of the relevant tax year’. See ‘How long to keep your records‘.
Please ask if you want me to delete or amend your records. If I’m complying with HMRC’s legal requirements, I can action your request immediately.
With whom is your data shared?
No one, unless you request in writing that I share it with someone, or HMRC chooses to audit my business.
LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES
My website contains links to enable you to visit other websites of interest easily. However, once you have used these links to leave my site, I do not have any control over that external website. Therefore, I cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information that you provide while visiting such sites, and such sites are not governed by this privacy policy. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.
Contact me
If you have any questions or requests for modification or removal of your data, please email me at gillian@darkskypages.co.uk or write to me at Dark Sky Pages, 15 South Main Street, Wigtown, Dumfries & Galloway, DG8 9EH. If you need assistance with creating your own GDPR-compliant website privacy policy, the ICO provides excellent guidance and free templates.