Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Michelle Arnold Lauer (“I,” “me,” or “my”) collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information when you visit my website, subscribe to my newsletter, contact me, or interact with my books and other content.

1. Information I Collect

Information You Provide Directly

I may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide, including:

• Your name and email address when you subscribe to my newsletter, reader list, or free bonus content.
• Information you provide when contacting me through the website or by email.
• Comments or other information you submit when interacting with blog posts.
• Information provided when purchasing a signed book or other product directly from me.
• Any other information you voluntarily include in a message sent through my contact form or to sectigers1965@gmail.com.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit my website, certain information may be collected automatically through cookies and similar technologies. This may include:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device type
• Pages visited
• Time spent on the website
• General website usage and analytics information

When you purchase my books through third-party retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, or Kobo, I do not collect or have access to your payment information. Those purchases are governed by the privacy policies of the respective retailers.

2. How I Use Your Information

I may use the information I collect to:

• Send newsletters, new-release announcements, writing updates, bonus content, and reader offers when you have opted in.
• Respond to questions, inquiries, and messages.
• Improve my website and understand which content readers find most useful or interesting.
• Fulfill orders for books or other products purchased directly from me.
• Maintain website security and help prevent spam, fraud, or abuse.

I will never sell, rent, or trade your personal information.

3. Newsletter and Email Communications

If you choose to join my mailing list, your name and email address may be securely stored and processed by my email marketing service provider, such as Mailchimp, ConvertKit, MailerLite, or another provider I may use.

You can unsubscribe from my newsletter at any time by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link included at the bottom of my emails. After you unsubscribe, I will remove you from my active mailing list as appropriate.

4. Cookies and Analytics

My website may use cookies and similar technologies to help the website function properly, understand website traffic, and improve the user experience.

These technologies may include:

• Google Analytics or similar analytics services to understand website traffic and popular pages.
• Website hosting and performance technologies provided by platforms such as WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or other service providers.
• Embedded content, such as YouTube videos, which may use cookies or similar technologies.

You can disable or manage cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect how some features of the website function.

5. Third-Party Services

I may use trusted third-party service providers when necessary to operate my author business and website. These may include:

• Email marketing providers for sending newsletters and managing subscriber lists.
• Website hosting, security, and analytics providers.
• Payment processors such as PayPal or Stripe when purchases are made directly from me.
• Book retailers, distributors, and publishing services such as Amazon, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, and similar providers.

Each third-party service operates under its own privacy policy and terms. I encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites or services you use.

If I use affiliate links, such as Amazon Associates links, clicking those links may place a cookie on your device that allows the affiliate program to track qualifying purchases. I do not receive or have access to your personal payment or purchase details.

6. Your Privacy Rights

You may contact me at sectigers65@gmail.com to request access to, correction of, or deletion of personal information I may hold about you, subject to applicable law.

EU and UK Residents — GDPR

If you are located in the European Union or United Kingdom, your personal information may be processed based on your consent, where applicable, or my legitimate interest in operating and maintaining my author website and business.

Depending on applicable law, you may have the right to:

• Withdraw your consent.
• Request access to your personal information.
• Request correction of inaccurate information.
• Request deletion of your personal information.
• Object to or restrict certain processing activities.

California Residents — CCPA/CPRA

California residents may have certain rights regarding their personal information, including the right to know what personal information is collected and to request deletion, subject to applicable legal exceptions.

I do not sell your personal information.

To exercise an applicable privacy right, please contact me at sectigers65@gmail.com.

7. Data Retention

I retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy or as required by applicable law.

• Newsletter subscriber information is generally retained until you unsubscribe.
• Website analytics information may be retained for up to 26 months, depending on the analytics provider and its settings.
• Direct correspondence is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary to respond to your inquiry, maintain appropriate records, or comply with legal obligations.

8. Children’s Privacy

My website and books are not directed toward children under the age of 13. I do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

If you believe that a child has provided personal information through my website, please contact me so that appropriate steps can be taken.

9. Data Security

I take reasonable measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.

However, no method of transmitting or storing information online is completely secure. Therefore, I cannot guarantee the absolute security of information transmitted over the internet.

10. External Links

My website may contain links to third-party websites, including book retailers, social media platforms, publishing services, and other external resources.

I am not responsible for the privacy practices, content, security, or policies of third-party websites. I encourage you to review the privacy policy of any external website before providing personal information.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in my website, business practices, services, or applicable legal requirements.

Any updates will be posted on this page, and the Effective Date at the top of this Privacy Policy will be updated accordingly.

12. Contact Me

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact me:

Michelle Arnold Lauer
Email: sectigers1965@gmail.com
Website: https://michellearnoldlauer.com