This Privacy Policy explains how Bill G. Wolcott (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects your information when you visit this website, join our email list, take part in our community, make a purchase, or use any service or application we may offer in the future. We call all of these the “Services.” By using the Services, you agree to the practices described here.
Who we are
This website is the home of the author Bill G. Wolcott and the book Half-Raised. If you have any question about your privacy, you can reach us through our contact page.
Information we collect
We collect information in three ways: information you give us directly, information collected automatically as you use the Services, and information we receive from trusted third parties.
Information you give us
- Email and mailing lists. When you join our newsletter or inner circle, we collect your email address and any name you provide.
- Accounts and membership. If you create an account or join a membership, we collect your login details and any profile information you add.
- Comments, message boards, and community. When you comment, post on a message board, or take part in any community feature, we collect what you write along with your name, email, and the time of the post.
- Messages and contact. When you write to us, we keep your message and contact details so we can reply.
- Purchases. If you buy the book or another product, our payment provider collects the details needed to process your order. We receive a record of the purchase, not your full card number.
Information collected automatically
- Cookies and similar technologies that remember your settings, such as your light or dark theme choice, and keep you signed in.
- Log and usage data such as your IP address, browser type, pages viewed, and the dates and times of your visits.
- Device data such as the type of device and operating system you use.
Information from third parties
We may receive limited information from the services we use to run the site, such as our email platform, payment processor, and analytics tools, as described below.
How we use your information
- To send the emails and updates you asked for.
- To create and manage your account, membership, and community participation.
- To process and deliver your orders.
- To operate, maintain, and improve the Services.
- To keep the Services safe, prevent abuse, and detect spam and fraud.
- To respond to your questions and requests.
- To meet our legal obligations.
We do not sell your personal information.
Email, newsletters, and mailing lists
When you join a list, you are giving us permission to email you. Every email includes an unsubscribe link, and you can opt out at any time. We use a third-party email platform to send and manage our lists, and your email address is stored with that platform on our behalf. Leaving the list stops future mailings, although we may keep a basic record to honor your choice.
Community, comments, message boards, and blog interaction
Parts of the Services let you post in public, including blog comments, message boards, and other community features. Anything you post in a public area can be read, copied, and shared by others, so please be careful about what you share. We may review, edit, or remove posts to keep the community safe, and we may store posts even after they are removed from public view. Please do not post private or sensitive information about yourself or anyone else.
Cookies and similar technologies
Cookies are small files stored on your device. We use them to remember your preferences, keep you signed in, understand how the site is used, and improve it. You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings, although some features may not work as well without them.
How we share information
We share information only in these limited cases:
- Service providers who help us run the Services and act on our instructions.
- Legal reasons, when we believe disclosure is required by law or needed to protect rights, safety, or property.
- Business transfers, if the site or its assets are ever merged, acquired, or sold, in which case information may be passed to the new owner under this policy.
We do not sell or rent your personal information to anyone.
Service providers we rely on
To run the Services we use trusted providers for hosting, email delivery, payment processing, membership management, and analytics. Each receives only the information it needs to do its job and is expected to protect it.
Data retention
We keep your information for as long as needed to provide the Services, meet legal and accounting requirements, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. When information is no longer needed, we remove or anonymize it.
Your privacy rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, delete, or receive a copy of your personal information, to object to or limit certain uses, and to withdraw consent. To make a request, contact us through our contact page. We will respond as required by law, and you will not be treated unfairly for exercising these rights.
Children’s privacy
The Services are not intended for children under the age of 16, and we do not knowingly collect information from them. If you believe a child has provided us information, please contact us and we will delete it.
Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your information. No method of storage or transmission over the internet is completely secure, so we cannot promise absolute security, but we work to keep your information safe.
International visitors
We are based in the United States, and your information may be processed there or in other countries where our providers operate. By using the Services, you understand that your information may be transferred to and stored in locations with data laws different from your own.
Our mobile application
We may offer a mobile application in the future. If we do, the app may collect additional information, such as information you enter, app usage, and device identifiers, and may use permissions you grant on your device. We will update this policy or provide an in-app notice that explains those practices before or when the app becomes available.
Sensitive subject matter
This website shares a personal story that touches on abuse, trauma, mental health, suicide, and self-harm. If you choose to share your own experience with us or in the community, you may be giving us sensitive personal information. Please share only what you are comfortable making known, and remember that public posts can be seen by others. The Services are not a crisis or counseling service. If you are struggling, please see the crisis resources in our Terms and Conditions.
Links to other sites
The Services may link to websites we do not control. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites, and we encourage you to read their policies.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be posted on this page with a new “last updated” date. If we make a significant change, we will take reasonable steps to let you know.
How to contact us
If you have any question about this policy or your information, please reach us through our contact page.
