Legal

Privacy Policy

authorjobrooks.com

Last updated: April 2026

This privacy policy explains how authorjobrooks.com collects, uses, and protects your information. It is written in plain English because legalese is nobody's favorite genre.

Who runs this site

This website is operated by Jo Brooks, author of the Kiln Creek Mysteries. If you have any questions about this policy, you can reach Jo via the contact page.

What information is collected

This site collects minimal information and only when you actively provide it:

  • Newsletter signup: If you subscribe to The Mystery Dispatch, your email address is collected and stored by the email service provider (either MailerLite or Substack — see Third-Party Services below). Jo does not store your email address separately.
  • Contact form: If you send a message via the contact form, your name, email address, and message content are sent to Jo's email inbox via Web3Forms. This information is used only to respond to your message.
  • Analytics: This site may use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the site (which pages are visited, how long people stay, general location by country/region). This data is anonymized and aggregated — it cannot identify you personally.

What your information is used for

  • Newsletter emails are used to send The Mystery Dispatch — release news, behind-the-scenes content, and updates from Jo.
  • Contact form submissions are used solely to respond to your message.
  • Analytics data is used to understand how the site is being used and improve it.

Your information is never sold, traded, or shared with third parties for marketing purposes.

Cookies

This site may use cookies — small text files stored in your browser — for the following purposes:

  • Analytics cookies (Google Analytics): Used to track anonymous site usage data. You can opt out via the cookie consent banner when you first visit.
  • Preference cookies: Used to remember your cookie consent choice so the banner does not reappear on every visit.

This site does not use advertising cookies or tracking cookies for marketing purposes.

Third-party services

This site uses the following third-party services, each with their own privacy policies:

Your rights

You have the right to:

  • Unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time using the unsubscribe link in any email.
  • Request deletion of your contact form submission by getting in touch via the contact page.
  • Opt out of analytics by declining cookies when prompted, or by using a browser extension like uBlock Origin.

Data retention

Newsletter subscriber data is retained until you unsubscribe. Contact form submissions are retained in Jo's email inbox for as long as necessary to respond, and may be deleted on request. Analytics data is retained according to Google Analytics' standard retention settings.

Children's privacy

This site is not directed at children under 13. Jo does not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has submitted information via this site, please get in touch and it will be deleted promptly.

Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated occasionally. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect any changes. Continued use of the site after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Contact

Questions about this privacy policy? Use the contact page and Jo will get back to you.