A little note from Julia at Hope’s Books
Hello and welcome to Hope’s Books!
I’m Julia, the person behind the books and artwork and I believe looking after your personal information should be straightforward.
Whether you’re browsing my little bookshop, buying something special or joining a waiting list, I want you to know how your information is used and looked after.
Here’s what you need to know.
What information do I collect?
When you place an order, I may collect:
● Your name
● Your email address
● Your billing and delivery addresses
● Your telephone number, if provided or needed for delivery
● Details of the products you purchase
● Information needed to manage your order, payment and delivery
If you contact me with a question, I may also keep the information you provide so that I can respond and help you.
Waiting lists and book updates
If you join a waiting list for one of my forthcoming books, I’ll ask for your email address, your name if you’d like to provide it and which books you’re interested in.
These details are collected through my website using WordPress and Forminator, with hosting provided by IONOS.
If you separately choose to receive New Book Updates, I’ll also use your email address to tell you about future Hope’s Books releases.
Joining a waiting list does not mean you’re buying anything and it does not automatically subscribe you to marketing emails.
What will I do with your information?
I use your information to:
● Process and manage your purchases
● Arrange printing, packing and delivery
● Send order confirmations and relevant delivery information
● Answer questions and resolve problems
● Manage refunds or returns when applicable
● Maintain business records and meet legal obligations
● Contact you about books you have expressed an interest in
● Send book updates if you have chosen to receive them
● Keep the website working safely and securely
I use personal information only where there is a lawful reason to do so, such as fulfilling an order, meeting a legal obligation, running my business legitimately or acting on your consent.
I won’t add you to a marketing mailing list simply because you have purchased something.
How are payments handled?
Payments on Hope’s Books are processed through WooPayments, which uses payment-processing services provided by Stripe.
Your payment information is handled through secure payment systems.
I do not receive or store your full card number or card security code.
Payment providers may process information necessary to authorise payments, prevent fraud, issue refunds and comply with their legal obligations.
Who prints and delivers your purchases?
Hope’s Books works with specialist print-on-demand suppliers.
BookVault prints and dispatches books purchased through my website.
Prodigi produces and dispatches mugs and other gift products offered through the shop.
To fulfil your order, the relevant supplier may receive the information needed to produce and deliver your purchase. This can include your name, delivery address, relevant contact details and the items ordered.
These suppliers use that information to carry out the services required for your order.
If your order contains products from different suppliers, your purchases may arrive in separate parcels.
Who else may see your information?
I never sell your personal information to other businesses for their own marketing.
Services that help me operate Hope’s Books may process information on my behalf or as independent service providers, where appropriate.
These include:
● IONOS, which provides website hosting
● WordPress and WooCommerce, which support the website and online shop
● Forminator, which supports website forms
● WooPayments and Stripe, which handle payments
● BookVault and Prodigi, which fulfil relevant orders
● Delivery companies involved in getting your purchases to you
Some service providers may process information outside the United Kingdom. Where international transfers take place, appropriate data protection safeguards must apply.
How long do I keep your information?
I keep personal information only for as long as it is reasonably needed for the purpose for which it was collected, or where I am required to retain it by law.
Order and financial records may need to be kept for several years to meet tax, accounting and other legal requirements.
Waiting-list information will be reviewed regularly and kept for no longer than 24 months in the website’s form submissions, unless there is a lawful reason to retain it for longer.
You can ask me to remove your waiting-list details or stop sending optional book updates at any time.
What about cookies?
Like most online shops, Hope’s Books uses cookies and similar technologies that help the website work properly and securely.
Some cookies are needed for essential shopping functions, such as remembering the contents of your basket, managing checkout and keeping your visit secure.
Payment and other service providers may also use technologies necessary for their services.
If I introduce optional cookies for advertising, analytics or other non-essential purposes, I’ll explain what they do and provide the appropriate choices before using them where consent is required.
Keeping your information safe
I take reasonable steps to protect the information entrusted to Hope’s Books.
The website uses secure connections and established services for hosting, payments and order fulfilment.
No online system can guarantee absolute security, but protecting your information is an important part of running my business.
You’re in control
Under UK data protection law, you have rights concerning your personal information.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to:
● Ask what personal information I hold about you
● Request corrections to inaccurate information
● Ask for information to be deleted where applicable
● Object to certain uses of your information
● Ask for certain processing to be restricted
● Request a copy of information in a portable format where the law provides that right
● Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
Some information, such as records needed for tax or legal purposes, may need to be retained even after a deletion request.
You can unsubscribe from optional book updates at any time by contacting me.
You also have the right to raise a concern with the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
You can find further information at www.ico.org.uk.
Want to get in touch?
If you have any questions about your information, would like to exercise your rights or want to leave a waiting list, please email me:
julia@hopesbooks.co.uk
I’ll be happy to help.
Thank you for visiting my little bookshop.
Julia Griffith
Hope’s Books
www.hopesbooks.co.uk
Everyone needs a little Hope in their lives.