1. Who we are
This Privacy Policy applies to the website michaelloucks.com and to related services operated under the same brand, including the mailing list at lists.michaelloucks.com and the Patron Vault at patrons.michaelloucks.com (together, the “Services”).
The Services are operated by Michael Loucks (“I,” “me,” or “my”).
2. What this policy covers
The only personal data I collect through the Services is information you provide when you subscribe to the mailing list or when you create or maintain a Patron Vault membership.
The main hub site at michaelloucks.com is a simple directory of links. It does not require an account and does not ask you for personal information.
3. Information I collect
Mailing list
- Email address (required to subscribe)
- Name (optional, if you choose to provide it)
- Subscription preferences and status (for example, subscribed or unsubscribed)
Patron Vault
- Email address (used for account access, including magic-link login)
- Membership and entitlement information (tier, subscription status, and related access rights)
- Billing and payment status information needed to provide membership access
Payment card numbers and other payment credentials for Patron Vault subscriptions are entered on and processed by Stripe. I do not store full payment card numbers on my systems.
4. How I use your information
I use the information described above only to:
- Send occasional announcements to mailing-list subscribers who have opted in
- Provide, maintain, and administer Patron Vault memberships and library access
- Respond to subscription, access, billing-status, or unsubscribe requests
- Operate and secure the Services (for example, authenticating logins and preventing abuse)
I do not use your information for advertising networks, data brokers, or unrelated commercial profiling.
5. Sharing and disclosure
I do not sell, rent, share, trade, or otherwise disclose your personal information to any third party. Your subscriber and member data is not provided to marketers, list brokers, affiliates for their own use, or other third parties.
Patron Vault payments are processed by Stripe so that you can pay for a membership. When you pay, you provide payment details to Stripe under Stripe’s own terms and privacy policy. Stripe returns limited subscription and customer information needed to grant and maintain your vault access. That payment processing is not a sale or rental of your data, and I do not authorize Stripe (or anyone else) to use your data for unrelated marketing on my behalf.
I may disclose information only if required by law, regulation, legal process, or a valid government request, or if necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of the Services or others. Aside from such rare legal compulsion, your data is not disclosed.
6. Cookies and similar technology
The main hub site does not use advertising or analytics cookies. The Patron Vault may use session or similar cookies (or comparable browser storage) solely to keep you signed in and to operate the membership site. The mailing list may use essential technology needed to process subscription forms and manage your list preferences.
7. Linked third-party sites and services
The hub links to independent services and sites that I do not control, including (among others) Discord, Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee, ZBookstore, Amazon, and companion wiki sites. Those services have their own privacy practices. This policy does not cover them. If you use those services, their policies apply to the data they collect.
8. How long I keep your information
- Mailing list: I keep your email (and optional name) while you remain subscribed. When you unsubscribe, I process the removal from active mailing and retain only what is needed to honor the unsubscribe and prevent accidental re-mailing, if applicable.
- Patron Vault: I keep account and membership records for as long as needed to provide access, maintain subscription history relevant to entitlements, and handle support or billing questions. When a membership ends, I retain only what is reasonably necessary for those purposes or as required by law.
9. Your choices
- Mailing list: You may subscribe or unsubscribe at any time using the links on the mailing-list site or the unsubscribe controls included in list messages.
- Patron Vault: You may manage or cancel a paid membership through the available account/billing tools (including Stripe Customer Portal where offered). You may also contact me to request help with access or account email issues.
- Access / correction / deletion: You may request that I correct or delete personal information I hold about you, subject to any records I must keep for legal, security, or accounting reasons.
10. Security
I take reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure; I cannot guarantee absolute security.
11. Children
The Services are not directed to children under 13, and I do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided such information, contact me and I will delete it.
12. International visitors
The Services are operated from the United States. If you access them from another country, you understand that your information may be processed in the United States.
13. Changes to this policy
I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The effective date at the top of this page will change when I do. Continued use of the Services after an update means you accept the revised policy.
14. Contact
For privacy questions, access requests, or deletion requests, contact:
Michael Loucks
Email: privacy@michaelloucks.com
If you prefer a different contact address, use any published author contact method you already use for site or membership support, and mark the message as a privacy request.