What we collect: Your account info (name, email, profile), anything you post or share on the Platform (posts, messages, manuscripts), event registration and payment details, and some automatic data like your IP address and how you use the site.
Why we collect it: To run the Platform — connecting you with other writers, industry experts, and readers, giving you access to educational resources and publishing tools, and handling event registrations. We also use it to improve the Platform and, if you opt in, send you updates.
Do we sell your data? No.
Who sees it? Other members can see what you choose to make visible (your profile, posts, comments). We share limited data with service providers who help us run things — like payment processors and email tools — but we don’t hand your data to random third parties.
Where are you based, and does that matter? We’re a Wisconsin company, but we have members around the world. If you’re in the EU, UK, or California, you have specific legal rights (like requesting a copy of your data or asking us to delete it) under laws like GDPR and CCPA — see the full policy for details.
Your choices: You can access, correct, or delete your data, opt out of marketing emails anytime, and control what’s visible on your profile.
Cookies: We use them to keep you logged in and understand how people use the site. You can turn them off in your browser, but some features may not work as well.
Kids: The Platform isn’t meant for anyone under 13 (or 16, depending on where you live).
Questions? Reach us at tacprivacy@proton.me.
Changes: If we update this policy in a meaningful way, we’ll post the update and change the date at the top.
For the full legal details — including how we handle international data transfers, data retention timelines, and your rights under specific laws like GDPR and CCPA — see our complete Privacy Policy.
Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 09/22/2026
Last Updated: 09/22/2026
Phoenix Flow Media LLC dba The Author Connection (“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates a community platform dedicated to connecting writers, industry experts, and readers through networking, educational resources, collaborative publishing tools, and in-person and virtual events (the “Platform” or “Services”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you visit our website, create an account, or otherwise use our Services.
By using our Services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our Services.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide Directly
- Account information: name, email address, username, password, and profile details (e.g., bio, writing genre, professional credentials).
- Community and networking activity: posts, comments, messages, connections, and content shared within community forums or groups.
- Publishing/collaboration content: manuscripts, drafts, submissions, or other creative works you upload or share through our collaborative publishing framework.
- Event registration information: name, contact details, and payment information when registering for workshops, conferences, or other events.
- Payment information: billing details processed through our third-party payment processor(s) (see Section 4). We do not store full credit card numbers on our own servers.
- Communications: information you provide when contacting customer support, submitting feedback, or corresponding with us.
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Usage data: pages visited, features used, time spent on the Platform, referring URLs, and click patterns.
- Device and log data: IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
- Cookies and similar technologies: used to remember preferences, keep you logged in, and understand how the Platform is used (see Section 5).
1.3 Information from Third Parties
- Information from social media platforms if you choose to log in or connect your account (e.g., via Google or Facebook login).
- Information from event partners, co-hosts, or sponsors if you register for a jointly hosted event.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use collected information to:
- Create and maintain your account and member profile
- Facilitate networking connections between writers, industry experts, and readers
- Provide access to educational resources and collaborative publishing tools
- Process event registrations and payments
- Communicate with you about updates, events, and community activity
- Send marketing or promotional communications (with the ability to opt out at any time)
- Personalize your experience and recommend relevant connections, resources, or events
- Monitor, analyze, and improve the Platform’s performance and features
- Detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent, unauthorized, or illegal activity
- Comply with legal obligations
3. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share information in the following circumstances:
- With other members, as part of the core networking function of the Platform (e.g., your public profile, posts, and comments are visible to other members according to your privacy settings).
- With service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as payment processing, email delivery, hosting, and analytics — bound by confidentiality and data protection obligations.
- With event co-hosts or sponsors, limited to information necessary to facilitate your event registration.
- For legal reasons, if required by law, subpoena, or other legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of the Company, our members, or the public.
- In connection with a business transaction, such as a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, in which case information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
4. Third-Party Services
We use third-party services to operate the Platform, which may include:
- Payment processing: Stripe, Venmo, PayPal, Zelle
- Email/communications: Protonmail, Mailchimp
- Analytics: Google Analytics
- Hosting/infrastructure: Dreamhost, OVHcloud, SiteGround
These third parties have their own privacy policies governing their use of your information, and we encourage you to review them.
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to:
- Keep you logged in between visits
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Understand how members use the Platform to improve our Services
- Deliver relevant content and, where applicable, advertising
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may limit certain features of the Platform.
6. Your Privacy Rights and Choices
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
- Request deletion of your personal information
- Object to or restrict certain processing of your information
- Opt out of marketing communications at any time (via the “unsubscribe” link in emails or your account settings)
- Request a copy of your data in a portable format
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at tacprivacy@proton.me.
7. International Users
Phoenix Flow Media LLC dba The Author Connection is based in Wisconsin, United States, and our Services are available to members around the world. If you access our Platform from outside the United States, please be aware that your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.
7.1 European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, and Switzerland
If you are located in the EEA, UK, or Switzerland, the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) and equivalent UK/Swiss laws apply to our processing of your personal information.
Legal basis for processing. We process your personal information based on one or more of the following legal grounds:
- Consent — for optional communications, certain cookies, or specific features you opt into
- Performance of a contract — to provide the Services you’ve signed up for, including account access, event registration, and publishing tools
- Legitimate interests — to operate, secure, and improve the Platform, provided these interests do not override your fundamental rights
- Legal obligation — where processing is required to comply with applicable law
Your rights under GDPR. In addition to the rights listed in Section 6, you have the right to:
- Lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority
- Withdraw consent at any time, where processing is based on consent, without affecting the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal
International data transfers. Because we are based in the United States, transferring your information out of the EEA/UK/Switzerland requires an appropriate safeguard. We rely on mechanisms such as the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and/or the UK International Data Transfer Addendum, as applicable, to ensure your information receives an adequate level of protection.
7.2 California, United States
If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”), gives you the right to know what personal information we collect, request deletion, correct inaccurate information, and opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information (we do not sell personal information). To exercise these rights, contact us at tacprivacy@proton.me.
7.3 Other Jurisdictions
Members located in Canada, Brazil, Australia, and other jurisdictions with their own data protection frameworks (e.g., PIPEDA, LGPD, the Australian Privacy Act) are entitled to rights broadly consistent with those described above. As our international membership grows, we will update this section to reflect region-specific disclosures. If you have questions about your rights in your specific jurisdiction, contact us at tacprivacy@proton.me.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to provide the Services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Account information is generally retained until you delete your account, after which we will delete or anonymize your information except where retention is required by law.
9. Data Security
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Children’s Privacy
Our Services are not directed to individuals under the age of 13 (or 16, where applicable under local law), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without parental consent, we will take steps to delete it.
11. Public Content and Community Guidelines
Please be aware that any information you post publicly on the Platform — such as forum posts, comments, or public profile details — may be viewed by other members and, depending on your settings, the public. We encourage you to review your privacy settings and exercise discretion when sharing personal information within the community.
12. Links to Other Websites
Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services not operated by us. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties and encourage you to review their privacy policies.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify members of material changes by posting the updated policy on our Platform and updating the “Last Updated” date above. Continued use of the Services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
14. Contact Us
Phoenix Flow Media LLC dba The Author Connection5 Thorn Lane
Madison, WI 53711
United States
tacprivacy@proton.me
+1-608-218-4547
