Legal
Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
Welcome to Julie L. Brown | J. L. Brown (“Site,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), the official website of Julie L. Brown. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting the personal information you share with us.
This Privacy Policy explains:
- What personal data we collect
- How we use and store it
- Who we share it with
- Your rights depending on where you live
- How to contact us with questions or requests
By using this Site, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
2. Who We Are
- Site Name
- Julie L. Brown | J. L. Brown
- Author/Publisher Name
- Julie L. Brown
- Contact Email
- inquire@julielbrown.com
- Country of Operation
- United States
3. What Data We Collect and Why
We collect only the minimum personal information necessary to operate this Site and communicate with you.
3.1 Contact Form Submissions
Data collected: First name, last name (or full name), and email address, plus any message content you voluntarily provide.
Purpose: To respond to your inquiry or message.
Legal basis (EU/UK): Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR / UK GDPR).
3.2 Newsletter Signups
Data collected: Email address.
Purpose: To send you our newsletter, new release announcements, author updates, and other communications you opted into.
Legal basis (EU/UK): Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR / UK GDPR). Canadian residents: collected in compliance with CASL.
Opt-out: You may unsubscribe at any time via the unsubscribe link in any email.
3.3 Automatically Collected Usage Data
When you visit the Site, certain technical information is collected automatically via cookies and analytics tools:
- Browser type, operating system, device type
- Pages visited, time spent on pages, referral source
- Approximate geographic location (country/region level only, not precise location)
- IP address (anonymized where technically possible)
This data is collected through Google Analytics (see Section 7 for details). We use this data to understand how readers find and interact with our Site so we can improve it.
4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
4.1 What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit. They help websites remember your preferences and gather usage statistics.
4.2 Types of Cookies We Use or Allow
- Strictly Necessary: Core site functionality, cannot be disabled — Hostinger Horizons platform cookies
- Analytics/Performance: Understand site usage and improve content — Google Analytics (_ga, _gid, _gat)
- Third-Party / Embedded: Widgets, embeds, or outbound links to third-party services — Mailerlite signup forms, Book Funnel book delivery, Fourthwall widgets
4.3 Cookie Consent
- US Visitors: Cookies are used by default in accordance with US standard practice. You may opt out of analytics cookies via your browser settings or the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-On.
- EU/UK Visitors: We aim to obtain your consent before placing non-essential cookies. If a cookie consent banner is present on the Site, please use it to manage your preferences. You have the right to withdraw consent at any time.
- Canadian Visitors: Implied consent may apply to analytics cookies under PIPEDA; express consent is obtained for newsletter subscriptions.
4.4 Managing Cookies
You can control or delete cookies at any time through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the Site.
5. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Respond to contact form submissions and inquiries
- Send newsletters and email updates you subscribed to
- Analyze Site traffic and improve the reader experience
- Detect, prevent, or address technical issues or abuse
We do not use your information for:
- Selling or renting your data to third parties
- Targeted advertising or ad retargeting
- Automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal effects
6. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your data only in the following limited circumstances:
6.1 Service Providers (Data Processors)
We use trusted third-party platforms to operate the Site. These providers process your data only as instructed by us and are subject to data processing agreements where required:
| Provider | Purpose | Data Shared |
|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics | Site analytics | Anonymized usage data |
| Mailerlite | Newsletter delivery | Email address |
| Fourthwall | Merchandise/Book storefront for direct purchase of products from their site | |
| Book Funnel | Book delivery / reader magnet distribution | Name, email address (if you redeem a book) |
| Hostinger Horizons | Website hosting and infrastructure | Technical/server logs |
6.2 Outbound Links to Social Platforms
This Site contains links to third-party social media profiles and services, including Instagram, Threads, and Linktree. When you click an outbound link, you leave our Site and are subject to that platform’s own privacy policy and data practices. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services.
6.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, court order, or governmental authority, or when we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, protect your safety or the safety of others, or investigate fraud.
6.4 Business Transfers
If this Site is ever sold, transferred, or merged with another business, your data may transfer to the new owner, who will be bound by the terms of this policy or will provide you with advance notice of any changes.
7. Third-Party Services, Additional Disclosures
Google Analytics
This Site uses Google Analytics 4 (GA4), a web analytics service provided by Google LLC. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect information about your use of the Site. We have enabled IP anonymization where available. Google may transmit data to servers in the United States and other countries.
Mailerlite
Newsletter signups are processed through Mailerlite. By subscribing, your name and email are transferred to and stored on Mailerlite’s servers, which may be located outside your country of residence. Mailerlite is compliant with GDPR and operates under Standard Contractual Clauses for international data transfers.
Fourthwall
If this Site includes a Fourthwall storefront embed or widget, interactions with that widget are governed by Fourthwall’s own privacy policy. Since this Site does not process payments directly, any purchase-related data is handled entirely by Fourthwall.
Book Funnel
If you download a free book, ARC, or reader magnet through a Book Funnel link, your name and email may be collected by Book Funnel and/or added to our mailing list (as disclosed at the point of sign-up). Book Funnel operates its own privacy practices.
8. Data Retention
- Contact form submissions
- Up to 12–24 months from the date received, or until no longer needed to address the inquiry
- Newsletter subscriber data
- Until you unsubscribe, at which point your email is removed from active lists within a reasonable period (typically 30 days)
- Analytics data
- Per Google Analytics default data retention settings (up to 14 months for user-level data, configurable)
- Server/access logs
- Per Hostinger’s standard log retention policies
9. Data Security
We take reasonable precautions to protect your information against unauthorized access, disclosure, or destruction. These include:
- Hosting on a secure platform (Hostinger Horizons) with HTTPS/SSL
- Using reputable, vetted third-party processors
- Limiting access to personal data to only those who need it to operate the Site
Please note: No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Children’s Privacy
This Site is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or under 16 in the EU/UK). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has submitted personal data through this Site, please contact us at inquire@julielbrown.com and we will delete it promptly.
11. Your Rights by Region
11.1 EU and UK Visitors (GDPR / UK GDPR)
If you are located in the European Union or United Kingdom, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Right of Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
- Right to Rectification: Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data
- Right to Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”): Request deletion of your data under certain circumstances
- Right to Restriction: Ask us to limit how we process your data
- Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
- Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, withdraw it at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing
- Right to Lodge a Complaint: File a complaint with your national data protection authority
Note on International Transfers: We are a US-based operator. Your data may be transferred to and processed in the United States and other countries, which may not have the same level of data protection as your home country. When we use EU/UK-compliant processors (such as Mailerlite), appropriate safeguards (Standard Contractual Clauses or equivalent) are in place.
11.2 Canadian Visitors (PIPEDA / Quebec Law 25)
If you are located in Canada, you have the right to:
- Access your personal information
- Challenge the accuracy and completeness of your data
- Withdraw consent for the collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information (subject to legal or contractual restrictions)
CASL Notice: We obtain express consent before adding anyone to our newsletter mailing list. Every email we send includes a clear unsubscribe mechanism.
11.3 California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)
At this time, this Site does not meet the thresholds that trigger California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) obligations (we are a small, noncommercial author site that does not sell personal data). However, as a matter of good practice:
- We do not sell your personal information.
- We do not share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.
- You may contact us at any time to request access to or deletion of your data.
11.4 All Other US Visitors
We provide the same baseline rights to all visitors regardless of state: you may contact us to request access to, correction of, or deletion of data we hold about you.
12. How to Exercise Your Rights
To submit a data access, correction, deletion, or objection request, please contact us at:
Email: inquire@julielbrown.com
Subject line: “Privacy Request”
We will respond within 30 days of receiving your request (or within the timeframe required by applicable law). We may ask you to verify your identity before processing a request.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of the Site after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
14. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact:
Julie L. Brown
Email: inquire@julielbrown.com