Privacy policy

I am a registered sole trader operating as Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader. I offer copyediting and proofreading services to authors, and courses and books to authors, editors and proofreaders. My client/customer base is worldwide.

This policy describes how I protect and make use of 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 04 June 2024.
​Why do I collect data from you?
I gather and use certain information about you in order to:

  • respond to your requests for information (e.g. my availability or a quote for editorial services)
  • allow you to register for a special offer
  • allow me to contact you while an editing project is ongoing
  • allow access to course and book content
  • enable certain functions on this website
  • better understand how visitors use this website
What information do I collect from you?
I collect the following minimal information:
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  • name
  • contact postal address
  • email address
  • information pertinent to your enquiry (e.g. word count, nature of project, whether you're an author or an editor)
  • I use Facebook Pixel to help me understand how visitors use my site. The program places a cookie on your computer to monitor the pages you visit and the links you follow (if your computer allows cookies to be placed).
How do I use this data?
How do I use this data?
The data I collect is used as follows:
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  • For my internal accounting processes (e.g. so I can invoice you) and so that I am compliant with my tax authority (HMRC) should it request an audit.
  • To contact you in response to your enquiry, order, quote, special offer or booking.
  • To give you access to course content you have purchased that resides on my website, and book content you have purchased that is stored on my ecommerce platform of choice.
  • To record your agreement to the terms and conditions of my editorial services.
  • In the case of the Facebook pixel (a cookie), to create a custom audience for adverts on Facebook and to tailor those adverts to Facebook users' interests.

With the exception of the Facebook pixel, 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), or unless you have signed up to be notified about a specific offer.
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. 

Web analytics​
Amazon Associates product links
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some pages of my website include links to Amazon.com, Amazon.ca and Amazon.co.uk that allow me to earn a small commission if you order my books from Amazon via those links. Special Links permit accurate tracking, reporting, and accrual of advertising fees. Amazon uses cookies to track purchases made on a user's browser via these Special Links. I include a short statement under these Amazon Associate product links.
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Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) affiliate link
I am a partner member of ALLi. The ALLi badge in the footer of each page of my website includes an affiliate link. If you join ALLi using that link, ALLi will give me a commission equivalent to 30% of your first year’s fees. ALLi uses cookies to track purchases made on a user's browser via this link.

Policy Bee affiliate link
I'm insured with Policy Bee. The Policy Bee badge in the footer of each page of my website includes an affiliate link. If you take out insurance via that affiliate link, Policy Bee will give us both £20. Policy Bee uses cookies to track purchases made on a user's browser via this link.
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More information
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.
How do I collect your personal data?
I collect and store minimal information via the following forms:

  • Contact form (via Weebly)
  • Booking confirmation form (via Weebly)
  • Course order form (via Weebly)
  • Book order form (via Payhip)
  • Author’s style preferences form (via Weebly)
  • Newsletter signup (via Flodesk)
  • Email (via British Telecom)

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 Weebly or Flodesk at any time. Please note that if your information is being held to enable access to content that you’ve purchased from me (e.g. courses/books), the removal of your data will remove your access.
How do I store your personal data?
The minimal information I collect is stored on the following data servers:

  • Weebly. This is my website host. It is password-protected and has SSL-certification (https) to provide an additional layer of security. You can access Weebly'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.
  • Flodesk. This is my newsletter-subscription management system. I require a double opt-in. That means that after a subscriber signs up they have to confirm their opt-in via email. You can access Flodesk's privacy policy here, and its Data Processing Addendum here.
  • Payhip. This is the platform I use to sell my books. You an access its Privacy And Cookies Policy here.
  • PayPal. This is the password-protected online payment service I use for sales of my courses and books, and for  editorial-services clients who elect not to be invoiced via direct bank transfer.
  • BT Mail. This is the UK-based password-protected server I use to communicate via email. You can access BT's privacy policy here.
  • Wave. This is the accounting app I use to send invoices. Your name, email address and a project summary are stored. You can access Wave's privacy policy here, their security policy here, and their terms of use here.

DATA SERVERS IN THE UNITED STATES
  • Weebly and Dropbox's servers are based in the US but are registered with the EU–​US Privacy Shield.
  • Flodesk's servers are also based in the US. Their terms of service are available here.
  • All PayPal transactions are subject to the PayPal Privacy Policy. Your data will used for accounting purposes only and will never be divulged to third parties.
How long do I keep your data for?
Because many of my customers and 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. As long as I'm complying with HMRC's legal requirements, I'll action your request immediately.
With whom is your data shared?
No one, unless you request that I do so in writing, or HMRC elects to audit my business.
Contact me
If you have any questions or requests for modification or removal of your data, you are welcome to email me at [email protected] or write to me at Louise Harnby, West Cottage, South Walsham Road, Panxworth, Norfolk, NR13 6JG, UK.
Help with creating your own GDPR-compliant website privacy policy
If you need assistance with creating your own GDPR-compliant website privacy policy, the ICO provides some excellent guidance.