Privacy Policy

Transparency in how we protect your work and personal information

Effective Date: December 26, 2025

Last Updated: December 26, 2025

1. Introduction

BloodTie Publishing ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and intellectual property rights. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you submit a manuscript through our website.

By submitting through our platform, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Submission Information

When you submit a manuscript, we collect:

  • Personal Information: Full name, pen name (if provided), email address, phone number (optional), and country of residence
  • Manuscript Details: Title, word count, genre, intended imprint, synopsis/pitch, preferred publishing path
  • Manuscript File: Your complete manuscript in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format
  • Technical Information: IP address, submission timestamp, browser type, device information
  • Affirmations: Your acknowledgments regarding originality, AI generation, rights ownership, and consent to contact

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

We automatically collect certain information when you visit our website:

  • IP address and geographic location
  • Browser type and version
  • Pages visited and time spent on pages
  • Referring website addresses
  • Device type and operating system

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

  • Manuscript Review: To evaluate your submission for publishing consideration
  • Communication: To contact you regarding your submission status, publishing opportunities, and editorial feedback
  • Contract Management: If your manuscript is accepted, to negotiate and execute publishing agreements
  • Security: To verify submissions are from humans (not bots) and prevent fraud
  • Analytics: To improve our submission process and understand author demographics
  • Legal Compliance: To maintain records as required by law and protect intellectual property rights

4. Data Retention

4.1 Uncontracted Submissions

If no publishing contract is established, we retain your manuscript and submission data for 90 days from the submission date. After this period:

  • Your manuscript file is permanently deleted from our secure storage
  • Your submission metadata is anonymized for statistical purposes only
  • Your personal contact information is deleted unless you have opted in to receive future publishing opportunity notifications

4.2 Contracted Authors

If you enter into a publishing agreement with BloodTie Publishing, we retain your submission data and manuscript files for the duration of the contract plus seven (7) years following contract termination, as required by standard publishing industry practices and legal requirements.

4.3 Opt-In Communications

If you consent to receive future publishing opportunities, we retain your contact information until you unsubscribe or request deletion.

5. Data Storage and Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

  • Encryption: All data transmissions use TLS/SSL encryption
  • Cloud Storage: Manuscripts are stored using Amazon Web Services (AWS) S3 with server-side encryption
  • Access Control: Only authorized BloodTie Publishing personnel can access submissions
  • Audit Trails: All access to manuscripts is logged and timestamped
  • Immutability: Original submitted files are never modified without explicit written authorization
  • Backup Systems: Regular backups ensure data redundancy and recovery capability

Important: While we use best-in-class security measures, no electronic transmission or storage system is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but commit to promptly notifying you of any data breaches affecting your information.

6. Intellectual Property Protection

Your work remains your property. Submission does not transfer ownership, rights, or exclusivity to BloodTie Publishing. Specific protections include:

  • Manuscripts are stored with unique author identifiers to maintain provenance
  • Submission timestamps are cryptographically recorded
  • Original files are preserved without modification
  • Access is restricted to essential personnel only
  • No part of your manuscript will be shared, published, or used without a signed agreement

7. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services that may collect information:

7.1 Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Manuscript files are stored on AWS S3 servers located in the United States. AWS complies with SOC 2, ISO 27001, and other security certifications. View AWS Privacy Notice.

7.2 hCaptcha

We use hCaptcha for bot detection and fraud prevention. hCaptcha may collect technical information about your device. View hCaptcha Privacy Policy.

7.3 Google Fonts

Our website uses Google Fonts, which may collect usage data. View Google Privacy Policy.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

8.1 Access and Portability

You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you, including your submission metadata.

8.2 Correction

You may request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

8.3 Deletion

You may request deletion of your personal information and manuscript before the 90-day retention period expires. Note: Once deleted, your submission cannot be reviewed or considered for publication.

8.4 Withdraw Consent

You may withdraw consent for future communications at any time by emailing privacy@bloodtiepublishing.com or using the unsubscribe link in our emails.

8.5 Object to Processing

You may object to our processing of your information for marketing purposes.

To exercise these rights, contact: privacy@bloodtiepublishing.com

9. International Data Transfers

BloodTie Publishing operates in the United States. If you are located outside the U.S., please be aware that information we collect will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States. By submitting your manuscript, you consent to this transfer.

For EU/EEA residents: We comply with applicable data transfer mechanisms and safeguards as required by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, we will delete it immediately. If you believe a child has submitted information to us, please contact privacy@bloodtiepublishing.com.

11. Marketing Communications

By submitting through our platform, you consent to receiving communications regarding:

  • Your specific submission status and feedback
  • Future publishing opportunities with BloodTie Publishing
  • Industry news and author resources (if you opt in)

You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time while continuing to receive submission-specific updates. All marketing emails include an unsubscribe link.

12. Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses minimal cookies and tracking:

  • Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality and security
  • Session Management: Temporary cookies to maintain form state
  • Security Tokens: CAPTCHA verification and CSRF protection

We do not use third-party advertising cookies or sell your data to advertisers.

13. Do Not Sell My Personal Information

BloodTie Publishing does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for monetary consideration. We do not engage in data brokering or share author information with marketing companies.

14. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

  • Right to know what personal information is collected
  • Right to know if personal information is sold or disclosed
  • Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell data)
  • Right to deletion of personal information
  • Right to non-discrimination for exercising CCPA rights

To exercise these rights, contact privacy@bloodtiepublishing.com with "CCPA Request" in the subject line.

15. EU/EEA Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Union or European Economic Area, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

  • Right of access to your personal data
  • Right to rectification of inaccurate data
  • Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
  • Right to restriction of processing
  • Right to data portability
  • Right to object to processing
  • Right to withdraw consent
  • Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

Legal Basis for Processing: We process your data based on your explicit consent and our legitimate interests in reviewing manuscripts for publication.

16. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make material changes:

  • We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
  • We will notify active submitters via email
  • Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance

We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

17. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices:

Email: privacy@bloodtiepublishing.com
Subject Line: Privacy Inquiry
Response Time: We aim to respond within 5 business days

For submission-related questions (non-privacy): submissions@bloodtiepublishing.com

18. Acknowledgment

By submitting a manuscript through our platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy.