Privacy Policy
Last Updated: September 29, 2026
Your privacy matters to me. This Privacy Policy explains what information may be collected when you visit BessAuer.com, how I use that information, and the choices you have regarding your information.
Information You Choose to Provide
I may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you:
Join the HoundsHouse Early Reader Team
Subscribe to email updates or newsletters
Sign up for art exhibition or event updates
Complete a quiz, survey, or other interactive feature
Submit a contact form
Communicate with me directly
Depending on the form or feature, this information may include your name, email address, reading preferences, quiz responses, comments, and other information you choose to provide.
I use this information only for purposes reasonably related to why you provided it, such as sending requested updates, communicating with Early Readers, providing information about books, artwork, exhibitions, events, or other work by Bess Auer, and responding to messages or inquiries.
Email Communications
If you choose to join an email list or request updates, I may send you emails related to the topics you requested, including books, Early Reader opportunities, HoundsHouse news, artwork, exhibitions, events, and other related updates.
You may unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in the email or by contacting me.
Participation in the HoundsHouse Early Reader Team does not require you to remain subscribed to general marketing emails.
Early Reader Program
If you join the HoundsHouse Early Reader Team, the information you provide may be used to communicate with you about Advance Reader Copies (ARCs), book releases, reader activities, and related HoundsHouse opportunities.
Digital advance copies may be delivered through BookFunnel. If you use BookFunnel to receive a book, information you provide to or that is collected by BookFunnel is also subject to BookFunnel's own privacy practices.
Leaving a book review is always voluntary and is not a condition of receiving an Advance Reader Copy.
Website Analytics
This website is hosted by Squarespace. Squarespace may collect information about visitors to help operate, secure, and analyze the website. This may include information such as:
Browser, network, and device information
IP address
Pages visited
Referring websites or pages
Interactions with the website
Dates and times of visits
I may use aggregated website analytics to better understand how visitors find and use BessAuer.com and to improve the website and its content.
Cookies
BessAuer.com may use cookies and similar technologies. Some cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. Others may be used for analytics and performance purposes.
Depending on your location and the settings available on the website, you may be able to accept or decline non-essential cookies through the website's cookie consent controls.
You can also control cookies through your browser settings.
Third-Party Services and Links
BessAuer.com may use or link to third-party services, including Squarespace, BookFunnel, social media platforms, email services, embedded media, booksellers, galleries, and other websites.
When you interact with a third-party service—for example, by viewing embedded content, clicking a social media link, purchasing a book from a retailer, or downloading an ARC through BookFunnel—that service may collect information according to its own privacy policy.
I am not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites or services.
How I Share Information
I do not sell or rent your personal information.
Information may be shared with service providers when reasonably necessary to operate this website, deliver requested content or communications, manage email lists, distribute digital books, or provide other services you have requested.
I may also disclose information when required by law or when reasonably necessary to protect the rights, safety, or security of myself, website visitors, or others.
Data Retention
I retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, to maintain appropriate business records, or to meet legal obligations.
You may request that your personal information be corrected or deleted by contacting me.
Your Choices and Privacy Rights
Depending on where you live, applicable privacy laws may provide you with certain rights concerning your personal information.
You may contact me to request access to, correction of, or deletion of personal information I maintain about you, or to ask questions about how your information is used.
You may also unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time.
Children's Privacy
This website and its mailing lists are not intended to knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13 without appropriate parental or guardian consent.
Although the HoundsHouse books include young-adult fiction, the website's email lists and Early Reader program are not intended as a means of knowingly collecting personal information from children under 13.
If I learn that personal information from a child under 13 has been collected without appropriate consent, I will take reasonable steps to delete it.
Security
I take reasonable steps to protect personal information provided through this website. However, no method of transmitting or storing information online can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Changes to This Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time as the website, services, or applicable privacy requirements change. The current version will be posted on this page with the date of the most recent update.
Contact
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or would like to make a request concerning your personal information, please contact:
Bess Auer
BessAuer.com