Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains what information barrierkeepers.com collects, how it is used, and how it is protected. It is written in plain language because young readers and parents are expected to read it.

If you are a parent or guardian, we recommend starting with our Children's Privacy Summary, which covers the essentials in shorter form.

If anything below is unclear, email tswartz@vanishingatpinecrest.com with the subject Privacy question and we will explain in plain words.

1. What we collect (and don't)

When you visit the site

Almost nothing. Our website is hosted by Squarespace, which logs basic technical information for security and site operation — your browser type, the page you visited, and approximate (city-level) location. We do not see your name, address, or contact information unless you choose to give it.

When you subscribe to The Veil Dispatch (our newsletter)

• Your email address.
• The date and time you subscribed.
• That is the entire list.

By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 18 or older, or a parent or guardian signing up to receive updates. We rely on this confirmation as your consent.

When you contact us directly

If you email us, we receive your email address and whatever you wrote in your message. We keep this only as long as needed to respond.

We do NOT collect

• Your name, postal address, phone number, birthdate, or financial information through the public website.
• Behavioral browsing data for advertising. We do not show ads.
• Data from third-party trackers, social media platforms, or data brokers.

2. Cookies

We use the minimum cookies needed for the website to work properly:

• A session cookie so the site remembers your preferences during your visit.
• A cookie that remembers you have responded to our cookie banner so we do not keep asking.

We do not use behavioral advertising cookies, cross-site tracking cookies, third-party social media pixels, or analytics cookies that identify you personally.

You can decline the cookie banner. The site will still work; we just will not remember that you declined, and the banner may appear again on your next visit.

You can clear cookies in your browser settings at any time.

3. The Veil Dispatch (our newsletter)

If you subscribe:

• We will send occasional emails about new books, behind-the-series content, and reading guides.
• We use double opt-in — after you submit your email, we send a confirmation email. You must click the link in that email before you are actually added to the list.
• We never sell, rent, or trade your email address.
• Every newsletter email contains an unsubscribe link. You can unsubscribe at any time and you will be removed immediately.

The list is managed by Squarespace's built-in mailing system. If we ever change providers, this page will be updated.

4. Who we share data with

We share information only with services that help operate the site:

• Squarespace — our website host and newsletter provider. Their privacy policy covers how they use basic technical data.
• Email service providers — currently Squarespace, used to deliver newsletter emails.

If we ever add commerce (for example, selling signed personalized copies of books directly), we will use a payment processor (likely Stripe). That processor collects billing information directly and we will never see your full card number. We will update this Privacy Policy before commerce launches.

We do not share data with advertisers, data brokers, social media platforms, or any party for marketing purposes.

We will share data only if legally required (subpoena, court order, or valid government request).

5. Children's privacy

This site is written for young adult and middle-grade readers. The author's clear expectation is that many readers will be under 18. The site is intentionally designed so that children cannot share personal information with us.

• No account creation.
• No comment sections.
• No chat or messaging features.
• No fields anywhere on the public site asking for a child's name, age, address, or other personal details.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has somehow given us personal information through this site, please email tswartz@vanishingatpinecrest.com immediately and we will delete it.

For more on how we protect young readers, see our Children's Privacy Summary.

6. Your rights

Because we collect almost nothing, in most cases the only data we hold about an individual is their email address (if they subscribed to The Veil Dispatch).

You can request to:

• See what data we hold about you.
• Correct it if it is wrong.
• Delete it.
• Receive a copy of it.
• Opt out of marketing emails (the unsubscribe link in any newsletter email does this immediately).

To make any of these requests, email tswartz@vanishingatpinecrest.com with the subject Privacy Request. We will respond within 30 days.

7. Data retention

• Newsletter subscribers: We keep your email until you unsubscribe. After unsubscribing, you are removed from the active list within 7 days. We retain a minimal record showing the unsubscribe so we do not accidentally re-add you later.
• Site visit logs (Squarespace): Retained according to Squarespace's standard log retention.
• Privacy requests: We keep a record of any request you make and our response for as long as legally required.

8. Security

The site uses HTTPS (an encrypted connection) on every page. Squarespace handles infrastructure security. Administrative accounts use strong credentials and two-factor authentication.

No website can promise perfect security. If we ever discover a data breach affecting your information, we will notify affected users as required by law.

9. International users

The site is operated from Texas, in the United States. If you visit from outside the US, your data may be processed in the United States. By using this site, you consent to this transfer.

10. Changes to this policy

If we make material changes to this Privacy Policy, we will update the Last updated date at the top and post a notice on the site for at least 30 days.

11. Contact