Terms and Conditions

1. About This Website

stevensheeley.com is an author website providing information about my books, writing, fictional worlds, news, updates, reader features, and related content. It is provided for general informational, promotional, and entertainment purposes.

2. Audience and Content Suitability

This website is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. By using it, you confirm that you are at least 13 years old or are using it with the permission and supervision of a parent or legal guardian.

My books and related materials may contain violence, peril, mature themes, emotional distress, trauma, death, coercion, and other content that may not be suitable for all younger readers.

Beta reader, ARC reader, proofing, and other reader programmes offered through this website are restricted to people aged 18 or over unless expressly stated otherwise.

Setting a display handle and participating in the Standing also requires confirming you are 18 years of age or older.

3. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, all text, images, graphics, logos, designs, fictional names, fictional settings, excerpts, book descriptions, website copy, and other materials on this website are owned by Steven Sheeley or used with permission. All rights are reserved.

You may view, read, and print reasonable portions for personal, non-commercial use. You may not copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit, distribute, modify, sell, license, create derivative works from, or commercially exploit website material without prior written permission, except where permitted by law.

4. Book Excerpts and Fictional Content

Excerpts, sample chapters, character materials, worldbuilding notes, series information, and other fictional content remain protected by copyright. Access does not give you ownership or permission to reproduce, distribute, adapt, train systems on, or commercially use that material.

5. Newsletter and Reader Communications

Newsletter subscriptions and reader-programme registrations are voluntary. If you subscribe or provide consent, you agree to receive the communications described at the point of signup.

You may unsubscribe from marketing emails using the unsubscribe link provided. Some transactional or programme-administration messages may still be sent where necessary to complete or manage a request you initiated.

6. Reader Programmes

The website may offer Beta reader, ARC reader, proofing, giveaway, or other reader opportunities. Registration or application does not guarantee selection, invitation, acceptance, access to unpublished material, a free copy, publication credit, compensation, or any continuing role.

Additional programme terms, confidentiality requirements, deadlines, eligibility rules, or campaign conditions may apply. Participation may be changed, suspended, declined, or ended where reasonably necessary, subject to applicable law.

7. Reader Hub Accounts

If you create a Reader Hub account, you agree to provide accurate information, keep your password confidential, and take responsibility for activity that occurs through your account. You may delete your account at any time from the Manage Account page; deletion is immediate and permanent.

I may suspend, restrict, or terminate a Reader Hub account for violating these Terms, abusive or harassing conduct, attempted fraud or impersonation, or other conduct that harms the website, other readers, or the integrity of reader programmes.

8. Gamification and Interactive Features

Interactive or gamified features are provided for entertainment and reader engagement. They may change, reset, become unavailable, or be removed without notice. Unless expressly stated otherwise, they do not create prizes, rewards, accounts, memberships, entitlements, or contractual rights.

This includes the Faction Recruitment Assessment, badges, and “the Standing” — a display handle, avatar, faction result, and badge count visible to other signed-in readers once your handle is approved. I may reject, remove, or reset a handle, avatar, badge, or assessment result at my discretion, including for names or content that are offensive, impersonating, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate.

9. Retailer Links and Third-Party Websites

This website may link to retailers, publishers, social media platforms, review sites, newsletter services, and other third-party resources. I do not control those services and am not responsible for their content, availability, security, privacy practices, terms, pricing, delivery, refunds, or products.

10. No Direct Sales

Unless clearly stated otherwise, this website does not directly sell books, merchandise, subscriptions, or other products. Purchases made through external links are handled by the relevant third party.

11. Acceptable Use

You agree not to use this website in a way that:

• violates law or infringes rights;
• interferes with the website’s operation, security, or availability;
• attempts unauthorised access to systems or data;
• introduces malware or harmful code;
• scrapes, harvests, mines, mirrors, or systematically collects content or data without permission;
• uses content for spam, fraud, impersonation, or misleading activity;
• chooses a display handle that impersonates another person, or is offensive, misleading, or infringing;
• uses content for artificial intelligence training, dataset creation, automated content generation, model development, or similar commercial processing without written permission.

12. No Warranties

This website is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. I do not guarantee that it will always be available, error-free, secure, uninterrupted, complete, or current. I may update, change, suspend, or remove any part of it at any time.

13. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, I will not be liable for loss or damage arising from use of, reliance on, or inability to use this website or a linked third-party service. Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability that cannot legally be limited or excluded.

14. Privacy

Your use of this website is also governed by the Privacy Policy.

15. Changes to These Terms

I may update these Terms from time to time. The effective date will be updated and the current version posted here. Continued use after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

16. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Nothing in these Terms affects rights that cannot legally be excluded.

17. Contact

Questions about these Terms may be sent to:

Steven Sheeley
info@stevensheeley.com