Privacy Policy

GWM & Associates Privacy Policy

Effective Date: February 18, 2025

1. Our Commitment to Privacy

GWM & Associates ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of personal and project-related information entrusted to us by authors, writers, and visitors to our website, https://gwmandassociates.com. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your information when you engage with us—whether through our website, consultations, or service matchmaking offerings.

As a literary consulting and author services referral agency, we understand the importance of discretion, integrity, and security in managing your creative work, personal information, and publishing journey.

2. Information We Collect

We collect only the information necessary to fulfill our role in connecting you with suitable publishing service providers and in offering strategic consulting. This may include:

• Contact Information: Name, email, phone number, mailing address
• Author & Project Details: Manuscripts, proposals, bios, goals, genre, target audience, publishing status
• Professional Background: Experience, publishing history, media presence, or platform details
• Communication Records: Emails, call logs, meeting notes
• Billing Information: Details for invoicing and service payments (note: payments may be processed by secure third-party vendors)
• Website Usage Data (if applicable): Cookies, IP address, browser type, and user behavior for site optimization and analytics

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• To Facilitate Author-Provider Matchmaking: Evaluating your goals and referring you to trusted editors, marketers, ghostwriters, designers, or publishers
• To Deliver Strategic Services: Providing consultations, publishing advice, brand development support, or manuscript evaluations
• To Communicate With You: Responding to inquiries, providing updates, and issuing service recommendations or invoices
• To Manage Service Agreements: Tracking project progress and ensuring deliverables as outlined in agreements
• To Improve Our Services: Using anonymized or aggregated data to better understand client needs
• To Comply With Legal Obligations

4. Information Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or share your information for third-party marketing purposes. Your manuscript and professional data stay under strict confidence unless disclosure is:

• At Your Direction or Consent: For example, introducing you to a vetted editor or hybrid publisher
• To Essential Service Providers: Such as secure file storage services, email providers, CRM tools, or payment processors—who are all bound by confidentiality agreements
• To Meet Legal Requirements: In rare cases, we may share data in response to subpoenas or lawful requests
• In Case of a Business Transfer: Should our firm undergo a merger or reorganization, your information would remain protected by the terms of this policy

5. Data Security

We take reasonable measures to safeguard your data and intellectual property, including:

• Secure cloud-based document handling
• Access restrictions within our team
• Use of encryption and authentication tools where appropriate
• Despite our efforts, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we encourage you to always retain personal backups of your materials.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal and project data only for as long as necessary to:

• Deliver our services and track collaboration history
• Comply with accounting, legal, or administrative obligations
• Provide continuity should you return for future projects
• Unless otherwise agreed upon, project materials are archived or securely deleted once services are fulfilled.

7. Your Rights

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

• Access the information we hold about you
• Correct or update inaccuracies
• Request deletion (subject to contract and legal limits)
• Object to certain data processing activities
• To make such a request, please email us at submissions@gwmandassociates.com.

8. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or best practices. The “Effective Date” will always reflect the latest version. Continued use of our services after an update indicates acceptance of the new terms.

9. Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy or your information, contact:

GWM & Associates

Toll-Free: (888) 826-7646
Direct: (646) 551-3722
1177 6th Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Email: submissions@gwmandassociates.com