Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 15, 2025

The International Gothic Literature Society (“we,” “our,” or “us”) values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data when you visit our website, engage with our community, or make purchases through our online store.

By using this website, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information from you:

Personal Information: such as your name, email address, shipping address, and other contact details when you subscribe to our newsletter, participate in events, or make a purchase.
Payment Information: processed securely through trusted third-party providers (e.g., PayPal, Stripe). We do not store or have access to your full credit card or banking information.
Website Usage Data: such as your IP address, browser type, and site activity, collected through cookies and analytics tools to help us improve your experience.
Voluntary Information: any additional information you choose to provide, such as messages, event sign-ups, or community participation.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information collected to:

Process and fulfill orders placed through our online store
Send newsletters, updates, and community communications (when you opt in)
Respond to inquiries and provide customer support
Improve website performance and user experience
Comply with legal requirements and prevent fraudulent activity

We will never sell or rent your personal information to third parties.

3. Sharing of Information

We may share your information only with trusted third parties necessary to operate our services, including:

Print and shipping partners (e.g., Printify) to fulfill product orders
Payment processors to securely handle transactions
Email marketing platforms to manage newsletters and updates
Analytics and security services to maintain website performance and integrity

These third parties are required to protect your information in accordance with relevant privacy laws.

4. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience. These help us:

Remember your preferences
Keep your shopping cart active
Understand how our site is used so we can improve it

You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies. Please note this may affect some features of the site.

5. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

Access the personal information we hold about you
Request corrections or updates to your information
Request deletion of your personal data
Withdraw consent for certain types of processing

To exercise these rights, contact us at gothicliteraturesociety@gmail.com

6. Data Retention & Security

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law.

We use industry-standard security measures to protect your data. While no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, we are committed to maintaining appropriate safeguards.

7. Children’s Privacy

Our website and offerings are not directed toward children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected such data, we will take steps to delete it promptly.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. Continued use of the website after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

9. Community & Social Media Platforms

The International Gothic Literature Society maintains a presence on social media platforms, including but not limited to Facebook and Instagram. Participation in these spaces is entirely voluntary.

Any information, comments, or content you choose to share within these groups or on our social media pages is public or semi-public and may be visible to other members. We encourage you to share mindfully and avoid posting personal or sensitive information you do not wish to be seen by others.

We do not control or guarantee the security of third-party platforms. Your use of these platforms is subject to their respective privacy policies and terms of service.

By participating in these spaces, you grant us permission to moderate content in alignment with our community guidelines. We may remove posts that violate these guidelines or relevant laws.

10. User-Generated Content & Community Spaces

Members may post or share content in our community spaces, including social media groups and other interactive areas. You are solely responsible for the content you share.

By posting in these spaces, you:

Grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display and moderate your content within the group or platform.
Agree not to post content that is unlawful, defamatory, harassing, or in violation of another person’s intellectual property.
Understand that anything you share in these spaces may be visible to other members and cannot be guaranteed to remain private.

We reserve the right to remove, report, or restrict content at our discretion to maintain a respectful and safe environment.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, or if you wish to exercise your rights, please contact us at:

📨 gothicliteraturesociety@gmail.com

🏛 International Gothic Literature Society are committed to protecting your privacy and honoring the trust you place in us when you join our circle.