Privacy Policy
Last updated: April 4, 2025
This website is operated by Rowan Thornwell, a pseudonym for an independent author based near Byron Bay, Australia. Rowan is the name used for all author-related communication, storytelling, and public-facing content. Your privacy is respected and protected with the same care given to the stories shared here.
This policy outlines how your information is collected, stored, and used on rowanthornwell.com — and how you can stay in control of it.
1. Who This Policy Is For
Whether you’re a reader, subscriber, reviewer, or simply visiting — this policy applies to you.
2. What Is Collected and Why
✉️ Newsletter Sign-Up
When you join the mailing list, we collect:
- Your email address
- Your name (optional)
This allows us to send occasional updates about upcoming releases, exclusive content, excerpts, or slow-burning thoughts from Rowan Thornwell. You can unsubscribe at any time.
💬 Reader Reviews
If you leave a review, we collect:
- Your name or pseudonym
- Your review content
- Star rating (if submitted)
Your review may be displayed publicly on the site. You choose how you’re credited.
📬 Contact Form
If you message Rowan directly, we collect:
- Your name and email
- Your message content
This is used only to respond to your inquiry. It is never added to the newsletter or used for marketing.
🍪 Cookies and Analytics
Like most websites, we use cookies for:
- Understanding how the site is used
- Improving functionality and layout
- Ensuring performance across browsers
Analytics are anonymous. No personal identity is tracked without consent.
3. How Your Data Is Handled
- Email data is stored securely via Mailchimp, which complies with GDPR and global data standards.
- Review data is stored through the Site Reviews plugin on WordPress.
- No financial or payment information is collected.
- Your data is never sold, traded, or shared.
4. Your Rights
At any time, you may:
- Request access to the information we hold about you
- Request that your data be updated or deleted
- Unsubscribe from emails in one click
For any data-related request, email: contact@rowanthornwell.com
5. Children’s Privacy
This website is intended for users aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors.
6. Third-Party Tools Used
- Mailpoet (for email subscriptions)
- Google Analytics (for anonymous site stats)
- Site Reviews (to manage and display testimonials)
Each of these services maintains its own privacy practices, in compliance with relevant laws.
7. Updates to This Policy
This policy may be updated from time to time. The latest version will always be available on this page with a noted revision date.
Final Note
Rowan Thornwell is a pseudonym.
The stories told here are fiction.
The privacy and trust you offer are very real — and they are held with care.