Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

We take the protection of your personal data very seriously. This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we collect, how we use it, and what rights you have under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, EU Regulation 2016/679) and German data protection laws.

This website is operated and hosted in Germany. All data processing is carried out in accordance with European and German law.

2. Data Controller

The Last Ditch Publishers
Hamburger Chaussee 14
14641 Nauen-Lietzow


Email: contact@last-ditch-publishers.com

3. Data We Collect

When you use our website or services, we may collect the following categories of data:

  • Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address.
  • Submission Data: Book manuscripts, synopsis, cover ideas, and related materials submitted via our forms.
  • Account & Contract Data: Information necessary for author agreements, publishing contracts, and invoicing.
  • Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, referrer URL, and date/time of access.
  • Marketing Data: Newsletter subscriptions, communication preferences, and engagement with marketing campaigns.

We do not knowingly collect data from minors under 16 years of age.

4. Purpose and Legal Basis of Processing

We process personal data for the following purposes:

  1. Book Submission & Publishing Services
    • Reviewing and processing book manuscripts.
    • Contacting authors and entering into publishing agreements.
      (Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR – performance of a contract or pre-contractual measures)
  2. Customer Communication
    • Responding to inquiries via contact forms or email.
      (Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR)
  3. Marketing & Newsletters
    • Sending newsletters and promotional offers (with consent).
      (Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR – consent)
  4. Website Analytics & Security
    • Improving the website and protecting against misuse.
      (Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR – legitimate interest)

5. Data Storage and Hosting

Our website and all related data are hosted on servers located in Germany. We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse.

6. Data Sharing and Third Parties

We only share personal data when necessary:

  • Service Providers (e.g., IT hosting, email delivery, payment processors).
  • Publishing Platforms (e.g., Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo – only with your consent and when relevant to your contract).
  • Legal Requirements (if disclosure is required by law or authorities).

We do not sell or rent personal data to third parties.

7. Cookies and Tracking

This website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Enable basic website functions.
  • Analyze website traffic (e.g., Google Analytics or Matomo).
  • Provide marketing and social media integrations.

When you first visit our site, you will be asked to consent to non-essential cookies (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). You may change your preferences at any time.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary:

  • Book submissions and author data: for the duration of contract negotiations and publishing agreements.
  • Legal obligations: data retention according to German commercial and tax law (usually 6–10 years).
  • Newsletter data: until you unsubscribe.

9. Your Rights under GDPR

You have the following rights:

  • Right of Access (Art. 15 GDPR)
  • Right to Rectification (Art. 16 GDPR)
  • Right to Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”) (Art. 17 GDPR)
  • Right to Restriction of Processing (Art. 18 GDPR)
  • Right to Data Portability (Art. 20 GDPR)
  • Right to Object (Art. 21 GDPR)
  • Right to Withdraw Consent (Art. 7(3) GDPR)

To exercise your rights, please contact us at contact@last-ditch-publishers.com.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the German Data Protection Authority (Datenschutzbehörde).

10. International Data Transfers

As our publishing services may involve distribution to platforms outside the EU (e.g., Amazon, Apple Books), personal data may be transferred outside the European Economic Area. In such cases, we ensure that adequate safeguards (e.g., EU Standard Contractual Clauses) are in place.

11. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy to comply with legal requirements or to reflect changes in our services. The latest version will always be available on this website.

12. Contact

If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

The Last Ditch Publishers
Hamburger Chaussee 14
14641 Nauen-Lietzow


Email: contact@last-ditch-publishers.com