Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Self Publish Books UK (“we,” “our,” “us”) collects, uses, stores, and shares your personal data in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and other applicable UK laws. It applies to authors, illustrators, customers, website visitors, and anyone engaging with our publishing services.

Who We Are

We are publishers based in Britain, providing professional services under Self Publish Books UK. Our operations include editing, illustration, formatting, marketing, distribution, and royalty management. As a data controller, we determine how and why your personal information is processed.

If you have questions, you can contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO) at:
Email: info@selfpublishbooks.co.uk
Phone: +447450620171

Personal Data We Collect

Author and Publishing Clients

• Name, postal address, email, phone number
• Manuscript content, notes, and illustrations submitted
• Payment details (bank accounts, PayPal, invoicing)
• Publishing contracts and rights agreements
• Marketing preferences

Website Visitors and Enquiries

• Contact form details
• IP address, browser type, device information
• Cookies and analytics tracking data

Business Partners

• Partnership contact details
• Company registration and VAT numbers
• Communication records

We do not knowingly collect data from children under 18.

How We Use Your Data

Contract Performance

To manage manuscript submission, editing, publishing, and royalty distribution.

Legal Compliance

Maintaining records for HMRC, VAT, and other regulatory bodies.

Legitimate Interests

Improving services, protecting intellectual property, preventing fraud, and ensuring service quality.

Consent

For marketing communications or optional services you opt into.

• Managing contracts and publishing timelines
• Providing ISBN registration and distribution access
• Processing royalty payments
• Handling customer support requests
• Sending newsletters or service updates (if opted in)

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies to enhance functionality, analyse traffic, and remember user preferences. You can manage or disable cookies through browser settings. Essential cookies remain necessary for core services like account login or order processing. Analytics data may be processed by trusted third parties like Google Analytics, always in compliance with UK GDPR.

Sharing and Disclosure of Data

We only share your data when necessary:

• Printing and distribution partners (for production and fulfilment)
• Illustrators and editors working under confidentiality agreements
• Payment processors (Stripe, PayPal, banks)
• Legal and regulatory authorities if required
• IT and hosting providers ensuring secure operations

We do not sell personal data to third parties.

International Data Transfers

Some third-party service providers may operate outside the UK. In such cases, we ensure safeguards are in place, including UK adequacy regulations, Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), or equivalent legal mechanisms.

Data Retention

• Manuscript and publishing files: 7 years after contract termination
• Financial and accounting records: 6 years (as per HMRC regulations)
• Marketing preferences: Until you withdraw consent
• General enquiries: Up to 12 months

After retention periods, data will be securely deleted or anonymised.

Your Data Protection Rights

• Right of access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Right to rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to erasure: Request deletion where legally permissible
• Right to restrict processing: Limit use of your data in certain cases
• Right to data portability: Receive data in a machine-readable format
• Right to object: Opt out of processing for marketing or legitimate interests
• Rights related to automated decision-making: We do not conduct profiling or automated publishing decisions

Requests should be made to our DPO, and we will respond within 30 days.

Data Security

We use robust security measures to protect your data: Encrypted servers hosted in the UK/EU, Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology on our website, access restricted to authorised staff only, and regular IT audits and vulnerability testing. Despite precautions, no online service is 100% secure. Please protect your login details and notify us of any suspected breach.

Marketing Communications

You may opt in to receive updates on publishing trends, offers, and services. You can withdraw consent anytime by clicking unsubscribe or contacting our team.

Payment Processing

We do not store full credit card information. Payments are processed by third-party providers (Stripe, PayPal, banks) under strict compliance with PCI-DSS security standards.

Third-Party Links

Our website may link to external services (e.g., book retailers, educational sites). This Privacy Policy does not cover external websites. We advise reviewing their policies separately.

Complaints and Contact Information

If you have concerns about our data practices, you may contact us directly. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
Website: https://selfpublishbooks.co.uk/
Phone: +447450620171

Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in law or business practices. Updates will be posted on our website with revised effective dates. We encourage you to review regularly.