Privacy policy

PRIVACY POLICY

Last updated: August 11, 2026

Zen Publishers respects the privacy of its customers, website visitors, authors, publishers, imprint representatives, and other individuals who interact with its services. This Privacy Policy explains how Zen Publishers collects, uses, discloses, stores, and protects personal information.

This policy applies to the Zen Publishers online store, checkout, contact forms, intake systems, client communications, digital delivery methods, and publishing-identity services.

  1. ZEN PUBLISHERS’ ROLE

Zen Publishers determines how personal information collected through its store and services is used. For applicable privacy laws, Zen Publishers generally acts as the controller of that information.

Shopify and other contracted providers may process personal information on behalf of Zen Publishers or under their own privacy terms, depending on the service involved.

  1. PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

The information collected depends on how an individual uses the website or services.

A. CONTACT AND ACCOUNT INFORMATION

This may include:

• Name
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Billing or business address
• Company, publisher, or imprint name
• Customer-account details
• Communication preferences

B. ORDER AND TRANSACTION INFORMATION

This may include:

• Services purchased
• Order number and order history
• Payment status
• Billing information
• Refund or billing requests
• Discount or promotional information
• Transaction dates and amounts

Payment-card information is processed by Shopify and authorized payment providers. Zen Publishers generally receives transaction confirmation and limited payment details rather than complete payment-card numbers.

C. PUBLICATION AND METADATA INFORMATION

Publishing services may require:

• Book title and subtitle
• Author and contributor names
• Publisher or imprint information
• Format, binding, language, and edition
• Publication date
• Book description, subjects, categories, and keywords
• Suggested retail price and market information
• Cover files or publication assets
• ISBN and barcode information
• Website addresses and reader destinations

Some publication information may identify an individual, especially when an author uses a legal name, professional name, photograph, biography, or personal website.

D. RIGHTS AND AUTHORIZATION INFORMATION

Zen Publishers may request information needed to verify:

• Identity
• Authority to act for an author, publisher, imprint, or organization
• Copyright ownership or publishing rights
• Permission to use submitted text, artwork, names, trademarks, photographs, and links
• Authorization connected to an ISBN or publishing record

When sensitive documentation becomes necessary, Zen Publishers will identify the purpose, provide an appropriate submission method, and request consent where applicable.

E. INTAKE, COMMUNICATION, AND PROJECT INFORMATION

This may include:

• Contact-form submissions
• Intake-form responses
• Customer-service correspondence
• Metadata approvals
• Revision requests
• Consultation notes
• Files and instructions submitted for fulfillment
• Delivery and access records

F. WEBSITE AND DEVICE INFORMATION

Shopify, Zen Publishers, and authorized technology providers may automatically receive:

• Internet Protocol address
• Browser and device type
• Device identifiers
• General geographic location
• Store pages viewed
• Referring website
• Cart and checkout activity
• Date, time, and duration of a visit
• Cookie identifiers
• Website performance and security information

G. MARKETING INFORMATION

When a visitor subscribes to promotional communications, Zen Publishers may collect the person’s email address, subscription source, engagement activity, and communication preferences.

  1. SOURCES OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

Zen Publishers may receive personal information:

• Directly from the individual
• From a purchaser acting for an author, publisher, imprint, or organization
• Through Shopify, payment providers, and customer-account services
• Through contact forms, intake forms, consultations, and project files
• Automatically through cookies and similar technologies
• From ISBN agencies, bibliographic systems, printers, distributors, retailers, or other publishing platforms involved in an authorized project
• From fraud-prevention, security, or identity-verification providers
• From publicly available publishing and business records

A person submitting information about another individual represents that they possess appropriate authority or permission to provide it.

  1. HOW PERSONAL INFORMATION IS USED

Zen Publishers may use personal information to:

• Operate and secure the online store
• Process payments and administer orders
• Determine service eligibility
• Verify identity, authority, ownership, or publishing rights
• Prepare ISBN assignments and publishing records
• Review, create, submit, or maintain metadata
• Produce Bookland barcodes and QRPlus assets
• Manage Living Backmatter™ and stewardship services
• Communicate about intake, approvals, delivery, billing, and support
• Provide customer accounts and digital access
• Detect fraud, misuse, technical threats, and unauthorized activity
• Maintain transaction, tax, accounting, and publishing records
• Enforce agreements and protect legal rights
• Improve website performance and customer experience
• Send promotional communications according to the customer’s preferences
• Comply with applicable law, court orders, and valid regulatory requests

Zen Publishers limits personal-information processing to purposes that are reasonably necessary, relevant, and proportionate to its operations and services.

  1. PUBLICATION METADATA AND PERMANENT INDUSTRY RECORDS

ISBN administration and publishing services involve information designed for publication within the book industry.

When authorized by the customer, Zen Publishers may submit publication metadata to ISBN agencies, bibliographic databases, distributors, printers, retailers, libraries, discovery systems, QR-management providers, and other publishing platforms.

Public or industry-facing metadata may include:

• Title and subtitle
• Author and contributor names
• Publisher or imprint
• ISBN
• Publication format and edition
• Publication date
• Description and subject information
• Pricing and market details
• Cover image
• Publisher website or reader destination

Publication metadata may become public, searchable, syndicated, archived, or incorporated into third-party records. ISBN and bibliographic records may remain permanently associated with the approved publication or edition. Closing an account, ending a stewardship service, or submitting a privacy request may leave these authorized industry records intact where bibliographic integrity, contractual duties, or legal obligations require retention.

Customers should carefully review publication information before approving ISBN assignment or metadata submission.

  1. HOW PERSONAL INFORMATION MAY BE DISCLOSED

Zen Publishers may disclose personal information to the following categories of recipients when reasonably necessary:

A. COMMERCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROVIDERS

This includes Shopify, website hosts, customer-account systems, form providers, cloud-storage providers, email-delivery services, analytics providers, security services, and digital-delivery platforms.

B. PAYMENT AND FINANCIAL PROVIDERS

Payment processors, financial institutions, fraud-prevention services, and tax or accounting providers may receive transaction information required to process and document an order.

C. PUBLISHING AND PRODUCTION PROVIDERS

Authorized project information may be disclosed to ISBN agencies, bibliographic databases, barcode systems, QR-management providers, printers, distributors, retailers, libraries, metadata platforms, and other publishing-service providers.

D. PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS

Attorneys, accountants, insurers, auditors, consultants, and contractors may receive information required to provide professional services, subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations.

E. LEGAL, SAFETY, AND SECURITY RECIPIENTS

Information may be disclosed to courts, regulators, law-enforcement agencies, rights holders, or other appropriate parties when reasonably necessary to comply with law, respond to valid legal process, investigate fraud, protect safety, enforce agreements, or defend legal rights.

F. BUSINESS-SUCCESSION RECIPIENTS

Information may be transferred as part of a merger, financing, restructuring, acquisition, sale of assets, or similar business transaction. Appropriate confidentiality and data-protection measures will apply during the transaction.

G. RECIPIENTS AUTHORIZED BY THE CUSTOMER

Zen Publishers may disclose information at the customer’s direction or with the customer’s consent.

  1. SHOPIFY AND ENHANCED SERVICES

The Zen Publishers store operates through Shopify. Shopify processes customer information to provide storefront hosting, checkout, payment, security, analytics, customer-account, fraud-prevention, and related commerce services.

Shopify may also use information collected through merchant stores to improve or personalize Shopify services, provide analytics, protect its platform, and support advertising features when Shopify Network Intelligence or related Enhanced Services are enabled.

Shopify’s handling of customer information is described in the Shopify Consumer Privacy Policy:

https://www.shopify.com/legal/privacy/consumers

Customers may exercise privacy choices relating directly to Shopify through the Shopify Privacy Portal:

https://privacy.shopify.com/

Where available, customers may also use the Your Privacy Choices link within the Zen Publishers storefront to manage data-sharing and targeted-advertising preferences.

  1. COOKIES AND SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES

The website may use cookies, pixels, tags, local storage, and similar technologies to:

• Maintain website functions
• Remember cart and checkout activity
• Authenticate customer accounts
• Preserve privacy preferences
• Measure traffic and website performance
• Detect fraud and security threats
• Understand service interest and customer journeys
• Support marketing and advertising where permitted

Some cookies are required for store operation. Optional cookies may support analytics, personalization, or advertising.

Where consent is required, the store’s cookie banner allows visitors to manage optional technologies. Browser settings may also allow visitors to block or remove cookies, although some store features may function differently afterward.

  1. SALES, SHARING, AND TARGETED ADVERTISING

Zen Publishers earns revenue through publishing services. During the 12 months preceding this policy’s publication, Zen Publishers completed zero sales of personal information in exchange for money.

Certain privacy laws may classify disclosures involving analytics, cross-context behavioral advertising, Shopify Enhanced Services, or advertising technology as “sharing,” “sale,” or “targeted advertising,” even when money changes hands solely for the underlying service.

Eligible customers may opt out through:

• The Your Privacy Choices link in the storefront
• The Shopify Privacy Portal at https://privacy.shopify.com/
• A recognized Global Privacy Control signal
• A privacy request submitted through the Zen Publishers Contact page

Zen Publishers will process recognized opt-out signals and requests as required by applicable law and the store’s configured privacy technology.

Zen Publishers uses automated systems for ordinary store functions such as fraud screening, payment processing, security, and service recommendations. Decisions producing significant legal or similarly substantial effects remain subject to applicable privacy rights.

  1. EMAIL AND MARKETING CHOICES

Customers may receive service communications concerning purchases, intake requirements, approvals, security, delivery, policy changes, or account activity.

Promotional emails are sent according to the recipient’s consent and applicable law. A recipient may unsubscribe through the link contained in a marketing email or by contacting Zen Publishers.

Unsubscribing from promotional messages preserves transactional and service communications needed to complete an order, maintain a publishing record, protect an account, or satisfy legal obligations.

  1. DATA RETENTION

Zen Publishers retains personal information for the period reasonably required to:

• Complete purchased services
• Maintain customer and publishing records
• Provide stewardship or portal access
• Document payments, taxes, and accounting
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
• Protect security and prevent fraud
• Meet legal, regulatory, contractual, and insurance obligations
• Preserve authorized ISBN and bibliographic records

Retention periods vary according to the information and service involved.

Order, tax, payment, rights, authorization, and agreement records may remain available for the legally or operationally required period. Backup copies may remain temporarily within protected recovery systems.

Authorized ISBN assignments and bibliographic metadata may remain permanently connected to the publication or edition within industry systems.

When continued retention lacks a lawful or operational purpose, Zen Publishers will delete, anonymize, or securely dispose of the information.

  1. DATA SECURITY

Zen Publishers uses reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards appropriate to the nature of the information handled. These safeguards may include access controls, secure account credentials, encrypted transmission, reputable service providers, restricted permissions, protected storage, security monitoring, and staff or contractor confidentiality requirements.

Every electronic system carries some degree of risk. Customers can strengthen protection by using secure passwords, limiting shared-account access, maintaining trusted devices, preserving backup copies, and reporting suspicious activity promptly.

Zen Publishers will respond to a qualifying data-security incident according to applicable law.

  1. PRIVACY RIGHTS

Depending on location and applicable law, an individual may have the right to:

• Confirm whether Zen Publishers processes their personal information
• Request access to personal information
• Correct inaccurate information
• Request deletion
• Receive a portable copy of certain information
• Opt out of personal-information sales or sharing
• Opt out of targeted advertising
• Opt out of qualifying automated profiling
• Withdraw consent for consent-based processing
• Restrict or object to certain processing
• Appeal a privacy-request decision
• Receive equal service after exercising a privacy right

These rights remain subject to lawful exceptions, including completed transactions, fraud prevention, legal claims, tax records, security needs, publishing agreements, and permanent bibliographic records.

To submit a request, use the Zen Publishers Contact page and include:

• “Privacy Request” in the subject line
• Full name
• Email address connected to the order or account
• State or country of residence
• Type of request
• Relevant order number, when applicable

Zen Publishers may request reasonable verification before fulfilling a request. Verification protects customer information from unauthorized access or deletion.

Zen Publishers aims to respond within 45 days when required by applicable law. A legally permitted extension may apply when a request requires additional verification or involves complex records. Zen Publishers will explain any extension.

  1. APPEALS AND COMPLAINTS

When Zen Publishers declines all or part of a privacy request, the requester may submit an appeal through the Contact page. The appeal should include “Privacy Appeal” in the subject line and explain the reason for requesting reconsideration.

Zen Publishers will review the appeal and provide a written response within the period required by applicable law.

Delaware residents may also contact the Delaware Department of Justice at privacy@delaware.gov or use the state’s Personal Data Privacy Portal.

  1. INTERNATIONAL USERS

Personal information may be processed or stored in the United States, Canada, or another country where Shopify or an authorized provider operates.

Privacy and data-protection laws vary across countries. Where applicable, Zen Publishers and its providers use recognized contractual or legal safeguards for international transfers.

For individuals in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or Switzerland, processing may rely on:

• Performance of a contract
• Compliance with a legal obligation
• Legitimate business interests balanced against individual rights
• Consent

Eligible individuals may contact their local data-protection authority concerning unresolved privacy matters.

  1. CHILDREN’S PRIVACY

The store and publishing services are intended for adults and authorized business representatives.

Upon learning that a child under 13 supplied personal information without verifiable parental consent, Zen Publishers will take reasonable steps to delete it. A parent or legal guardian may contact Zen Publishers concerning a child’s information.

Projects involving a minor author require submission and authorization from a parent, legal guardian, or other legally authorized adult.

  1. THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES AND SERVICES

The website or a completed deliverable may contain links to third-party websites, reader destinations, retailers, distributors, payment providers, or publishing platforms.

Each third party controls its own privacy practices. Customers should review the privacy terms of a third-party service before providing information or activating an integration.

  1. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

Zen Publishers may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in services, technology, legal requirements, or information practices.

The revised policy will display an updated effective date. Material changes may also be communicated through the website, email, customer account, or another appropriate method.

  1. CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions, privacy requests, or appeals may be submitted through the Zen Publishers Contact page or through the customer-service information below:

Business name: Zen Publishers
Privacy email: contact@stayzen.pro
Business mailing address: 8 The Green STE B, Dover, KENT COUNTY, DE 19901 United States
Website: This online store and its Contact page

Avoid sending passwords, full payment-card numbers, banking credentials, Social Security numbers, or sensitive identity documents through ordinary email. Zen Publishers will identify a secure submission method when additional documentation is required.