Privacy Policy

Effective date: October 27, 2026

This website, mjjames.com, is operated by M.J. James, doing business as M.J. James Publishing ("I," "me," or "my"). I care about your privacy and want you to know plainly what I collect, why, and what choices you have. This policy applies to mjjames.com and to the email communications I send you.

What I collect

Information you give me.

  • Email list and Reader Club sign-ups. When you join my email list, request Chapter One, or join the Magnolia Isle Reader Club, I collect your email address and your first name if you provide it. I also record when and where you signed up.

  • Contact and publishing inquiries. If you write to me through the contact form or other forms, I receive the details you submit, such as your name, email address, and message.

  • Purchases and payments for services. If you pay me for a service, a third-party payment processor handles your payment details. I do not store your full card number.

  • Messages, reviews, and survey responses. If you reply to an email or submit a review or comment, I receive what you send.

Information collected automatically. When you visit the site, my website provider and analytics tools collect technical information such as your IP address, browser and device type, approximate location, the pages you view, how long you stay, and the website that referred you. This is collected through cookies and similar technologies.

How I use your information

  • To send you the things you asked for, such as Chapter One, my Letters from Magnolia Isle, newsletters, and book news.
  • To respond to your messages and inquiries.
  • To provide and manage publishing services you request.
  • To understand how readers use the site so I can improve it.
  • To keep the site secure and prevent abuse.
  • To meet legal and tax obligations.

I will only use your information for these purposes, or for purposes that are compatible with them.

Email communications

I send email only to people who have asked to receive it. Every email includes an unsubscribe link, and you can unsubscribe at any time. You can also write to me through the contact page and I will remove you. Even after you unsubscribe, I may send you messages directly related to a request you made or a service you purchased.

Who I share information with

I do not sell your personal information for money, and I do not rent or trade my email list. I share information only with service providers that help me run the site and my business, and only as needed to provide their services. These include:

  • Squarespace, which hosts the website, forms, and site analytics (squarespace.com/privacy).
  • Kit, which manages my email list and sends my emails (kit.com/privacy).
  • Google Analytics, which helps me understand site traffic (policies.google.com/privacy).
  • Payment processors, which handle payments for services.
  • Retailers such as Amazon, if you click a link to buy a book. Once you leave my site, the retailer's own privacy policy applies.

I may also disclose information if required by law, to protect rights and safety, or in connection with a sale or transfer of my business.

Cookies and analytics

Cookies are small files stored on your device. This site uses cookies that are necessary for the site to work, and cookies that measure traffic and performance, including Google Analytics and Squarespace Analytics. You can control cookies in your browser settings, and you can opt out of Google Analytics using Google's browser add-on at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout. Blocking some cookies may affect how parts of the site work.

Affiliate and purchase links

Some book and product links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Links to other sites

This site and my emails contain links to other websites and to social media platforms. I am not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. I encourage you to read their policies.

How long I keep information

I keep your email subscription information until you unsubscribe or ask me to delete it. I keep contact messages and client records for as long as needed to respond and to meet legal, tax, and business record obligations. Analytics data is kept according to the settings of the analytics provider.

How I protect your information

I use reputable service providers with security measures designed to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so I cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your privacy rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights over your personal information, including the right to:

  • know what personal information I hold about you and request a copy;
  • correct inaccurate information;
  • request that I delete your information;
  • object to or restrict certain uses of your information;
  • withdraw consent at any time, where I rely on consent;
  • receive your information in a portable format; and
  • not be discriminated against for exercising your rights.

California residents. Under the California Consumer Privacy Act as amended (CCPA/CPRA), you have the rights above. I do not sell personal information for money. You can limit analytics cookies through your browser settings or the Google Analytics opt-out described above.

Visitors from the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, and Switzerland. I process your information based on your consent (for example, email sign-ups), my legitimate interest in running and improving my site and business, the need to perform a contract with you, and legal obligations. My service providers may process information in the United States and other countries. Where required, those transfers rely on approved safeguards. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

Residents of other U.S. states with privacy laws may have similar rights, and I will honor valid requests.

To exercise any of these rights, contact me through the contact page at mjjames.com/contactme. I may need to verify your identity before acting on your request, and I will respond within the time required by law.

Children's privacy

This site is not directed to children under 16, and I do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has given me personal information, please contact me and I will delete it.

Do Not Track

Some browsers send "Do Not Track" signals. There is no common standard for responding to them, so this site does not currently change its behavior in response.

Changes to this policy

I may update this policy from time to time. When I do, I will change the effective date at the top of this page. If a change is significant, I will take additional steps to let you know.

Contact

Questions about this policy or your information? Reach me through the contact page at mjjames.com/contactme.

M.J. James, M.J. James Publishing