Privacy Policy

Robin Alden Howard

Privacy Policy

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Last updated: October 18, 2026

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Who we are and what this policy covers

Robin Alden Howard operates robinaldenhoward.com and the connected online services that link to this policy. In this policy, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Robin Alden Howard and the operation of those services.

This policy covers the website as a whole: author and publishing information, book and service inquiries, purchases, member accounts, newsletters, forms and community features, together with AuthorCue365, ReaderCue365, ARC and beta-reader features, planners, journals and related tools where available. It explains how we collect, use, disclose, protect and retain personal information. A feature-specific notice may provide additional details. The Google Calendar restrictions below apply specifically to Google API data and are not broadened by the general provisions of this policy.

This policy does not control independent retailers, social networks or other third-party services you visit through links. Their own privacy policies apply to their handling of information.

Information you provide

We collect information you choose to provide when you create an account, contact us, complete a form, subscribe, purchase, register for an activity or use a connected tool. Depending on the activity, this can include your name, email address, display name, telephone number, billing or delivery details, messages, communication preferences and information needed to provide the service you request.

The tools also process content you choose to enter or upload. Examples include book details, covers, manuscripts, scripts, generated book cards, reading lists, ratings, reviews, journal entries, event details, tasks, schedules, notes, contacts, business records and planner preferences. Please provide other people's information only when you have an appropriate reason and permission to do so, and avoid entering unnecessary sensitive information.

Account, purchase and technical information

Our website platform provides account identifiers, sign-in and email-verification status, permissions and purchase or plan information used to check access. Payment services process payment credentials and transactions under their own terms and privacy policies. We receive purchase and payment-status information needed to fulfil orders, manage access, handle support and maintain business records.

Website and hosting providers may process your IP address, browser and device information, pages requested, timestamps, referring links and diagnostic or security records when delivering the services. Cookies and similar browser storage may support authentication, security, preferences, account separation and features such as installed web apps or saved local data.

How we use information

We use information to operate the website and tools, identify your account, verify eligibility, process purchases, provide requested services, save your work, support collaboration and communicate about your account or requests. We also use relevant information to maintain security, prevent misuse, troubleshoot problems, improve features, resolve disputes and meet applicable legal obligations.

We use newsletter and marketing contact information to send communications you request or are otherwise permitted to receive. You can unsubscribe from marketing emails using the link in the message or by contacting us. Unsubscribing does not stop necessary purchase, account, security or service messages. Joining an ARC or beta-reader activity does not automatically subscribe you to marketing emails.

Manuscripts, scripts and automated processing

When you choose an automated manuscript or script analysis feature, the uploaded file and the information needed for that analysis are sent to the processing provider to produce the requested result, such as a book card or script card. The current analysis implementation uses the OpenAI API. Do not submit a manuscript, script or other material unless you have the rights and permissions needed for that processing.

The processing workflow uses private upload storage and cleanup controls for temporary files and analysis jobs. Saved book cards and other results you keep in your account may remain after the temporary upload is removed. Provider retention and handling are subject to the provider's applicable API terms, privacy policies and account settings. We do not promise that every provider copy disappears immediately when you delete a local file or an account record.

This processing is separate from the Google Calendar integration. Google Calendar data is not sent through these manuscript-analysis or marketing-content workflows and is not used to train AI models.

Private records and information you share

Account-scoped tools restrict access according to the feature and its sharing settings. New Author Planner records are private by default. An owner can authorize up to two collaborators and control their permissions. Scheduling a record or placing it in another section does not itself share it. Revocation stops future access through the planner but cannot retrieve copies someone already saved.

Public features work differently. Information you intentionally submit for a public profile, directory, review, comment, published event or similar feature may be visible to other people. The ARC Reader Directory displays the profile information you choose to make public; account email addresses are not displayed in that public directory. ARC participation also involves account verification, agreement and access records used to operate the network and protect authors' files.

Book covers, promotional images and other material deliberately published on a public page or shared through a public delivery link may be accessible outside your account. A private manuscript upload and a published promotional image do not have the same visibility. Review the feature's notices and sharing choices before submitting content.

Optional Google Calendar connection

Author Planner can connect to Google Calendar with your permission. Connecting is optional, and you can use the planner without connecting Google. Google asks you to grant read-only access to your calendar list and events. The integration uses that access to let you choose calendars and display their events alongside your planner schedule. Although Google's permissions cover your calendar list and events, the application's event requests are limited to your selected calendars and the date range being displayed.

Calendar data accessed includes identifiers, names, timezones and primary-calendar status. Event data accessed includes identifiers, titles, start and end dates or times, cancellation status and links to the original Google events. This integration does not request event descriptions, guest lists or attachments, and it cannot create, edit or delete Google events with the permissions it requests. It does not request access to Gmail, Google Drive files or Google Contacts, and it does not receive your Google password.

Google events form a private display for the connected planner owner. They are not converted into planner task records or shared with planner collaborators. If you manually copy information into a planner record, that separate record follows the sharing choices you make for it.

Storage and use of Google information

The service stores encrypted Google access and refresh tokens on the server to maintain your authorized connection, together with your saved calendar selections and relevant calendar metadata. Tokens are separate from planner records and are excluded from planner backups and revision history. Event results are processed by the service and displayed temporarily in your browser; the integration does not save an event archive in the planner database. The private display is cleared when the planner locks, you switch planners or you disconnect Google.

Temporary consent and confirmation records expire after ten minutes and are removed during subsequent access or scheduled cleanup. An expired confirmation cannot be used even before cleanup runs.

We use Google information to provide the calendar connection and private display you choose. We do not sell it, use it for advertising or credit decisions, transfer it to advertising platforms, or use it to train AI models. It is not used to personalize the separate marketing-prompt tools. Human access must be limited to your affirmative permission for specific support, necessary security investigation or legal requirements; we do not provide routine human review of your Google events.

Google API data is handled in accordance with the Google API Services User Data Policy and its Limited Use requirements:
https://developers.google.com/terms/api-services-user-data-policy

Disconnecting Google Calendar

Choose Menu → Google Calendar → Disconnect Google Calendar in the planner to remove stored connection tokens, pending connection information and saved calendar selections from the application. The service also requests revocation from Google. If Google cannot confirm revocation, the planner tells you. You can remove access directly in your Google Account at:
https://myaccount.google.com/connections

Disconnecting does not delete or change your original Google events. Deleting your planner also removes its Google connection. If you only revoke access in your Google Account, Google's access authorization stops, but local connection metadata may remain until you disconnect in the planner, delete the planner or request removal. A connection cannot be restored from a planner backup.

Service providers and other disclosures

We use providers to host and operate the services, manage membership and transactions, deliver messages, process requested content and maintain security. These currently include Wix for the website and backend functions, Netlify for connected web-app hosting, Cloudflare for protected services and storage, OpenAI for requested manuscript or script analysis, and Google for an authorized Calendar connection. Payment, email, delivery and other providers may process information needed for the particular service you choose.

Information is disclosed as needed to provide those functions, carry out your sharing instructions, respond to requests you authorize, protect accounts and systems, resolve disputes or comply with applicable legal requirements. It may also be disclosed in connection with a business restructuring or transfer subject to applicable protections and notices. Google API data remains subject to the narrower Limited Use restrictions above; a business transfer of that data requires the consent required by Google's policy.

Cookies, browser storage and external services

Our website and connected apps use cookies or browser storage where needed for accounts, preferences, security and features you use. If analytics, marketing or embedded third-party features are enabled, their notices and applicable cookie choices also apply. You can manage browser storage through your browser and use any cookie controls presented on the site. Blocking storage may affect sign-in or saved preferences. Clearing browser storage can remove locally saved work, so export information you want to keep first.

Links to retailers, social networks, book platforms and other external services are governed by those providers' policies. Third-party embeds may also receive technical information when loaded. Connecting Google Calendar does not authorize us to post to social media or access other Google products.

Retention and deletion

We retain information for the feature or business purpose for which it is used, including account operation, fulfilment, saved work, support, security, accounting and applicable legal obligations. Retention varies by feature. Temporary processing files, saved account content, order records and security records do not necessarily have the same deletion schedule.

In Author Planner, items moved to Trash are normally recoverable for 30 days, and a deleted planner has a 30-day recovery period. After recovery expires, content is removed through scheduled cleanup; limited non-content identifiers and security records may remain. These periods describe Author Planner and do not establish a universal 30-day limit for every website record.

A download, export, recipient's copy or browser-stored copy is not automatically erased when server data is deleted. Providers may retain operational records or backups under their applicable policies and obligations. Deleting a website account and deleting connected tool data may be separate operations; contact us if you need both removed.

Your choices and requests

You can update information through the available account and tool controls, change sharing settings, unsubscribe from marketing, disconnect Google, and use available export or deletion features. You can also request access, correction or deletion by emailing robin@robinaldenhoward.com. We may verify your identity and clarify which account or service your request concerns.

Depending on where you live and the laws that apply, you may have additional rights concerning access, portability, correction, deletion, consent or objections to certain processing. Some information may need to be retained for legal, transaction, security or dispute-related reasons. Contact us with your request so we can assess it under the applicable requirements.

Security and international processing

We use access controls and appropriate technical safeguards to protect information. These include account-scoped checks, protected storage and encrypted Google connection tokens. No website, transmission or storage system can guarantee absolute security. Protect your account, use trusted devices and keep downloaded files private.

Our service providers may process information in the United States and other countries where they operate. Their security, contractual and legal protections apply to that processing. Privacy laws may differ from those in your location.

Children and policy changes

These services are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect their personal information. If you believe a child has provided information, contact us so we can investigate and take appropriate action.

We may update this policy to reflect changes in services or data practices. We will revise the date above and provide additional notice when appropriate or required. If Google data would be used in a new way or new Google permissions are needed, we will disclose the change and obtain the required consent before doing so.

 

 

Contact

Robin Alden Howard
Park Rapids, Minnesota, United States
Website: https://www.robinaldenhoward.com
Email: robin@robinaldenhoward.com