Privacy Policy
Last updated 13 October 2026
This policy explains what personal information TaleRow collects from visitors, readers, authors and traders, why we need it, and how long we keep it. We only collect what we need to run our book events and bookshop.
Who we are
TaleRow runs independent book festivals and the TaleRow online bookshop at talerow.co.uk. We are the controller of the personal information described here, which means we decide how and why it is used. TaleRow currently trades under Trois Étoiles Press, registered with Companies House under company number 16870905, whose registered office is 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ.
For any question about this policy or your information, email talerow@troisetoilespress.com. The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the regulator for data protection.
What we collect and why
| Who | What we collect | Why | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anyone visiting the site | Pages viewed, device and browser type, IP address (through our hosting and security tools) | Keeping the site working and secure | Legitimate interests |
| Readers who reserve or buy books | Name, email address, billing details, the books ordered, any signing message you ask for | Taking your order, telling the author, delivering your ebook, keeping records | Contract; legal obligation (accounts) |
| Readers who pay | Payment is handled by Stripe. We never see or store your full card number. Stripe shares the payment status and its fee with us | Taking payment and working out what authors should invoice | Contract |
| Authors and traders who apply | Name, pen name, email, website, genres, a short description, Facebook and Instagram links, the events you want to attend | Reviewing your application and running the event | Contract; legitimate interests |
| Authors and traders who are accepted | A profile photo, a copy of your public liability insurance, your agreement to our rules (refunds, nut-free event, tablecloth) | Showing you on the website and social media, and checking you are insured to trade | Contract; legitimate interests |
| Authors who add books | Titles, prices, descriptions, cover images, ISBNs, ebook files (EPUB), Kindle and review links | Listing and selling your books in the bookshop | Contract |
| People who join the event WhatsApp group (optional) | Your mobile number | Adding you to the group so organisers and attendees can stay in touch | Consent |
| People who email or message us | Whatever you send us | Replying to you | Legitimate interests |
Access needs and other sensitive details
Authors and traders can tell us about any access needs when they apply. This can reveal information about health or disability, which the law treats as especially sensitive. We only ask so we can make the event work for you, we only use it for that, and we only use it with your clear agreement, which you give by choosing to fill the box in. It is shared only with the organisers who plan the venue layout. You can leave the box empty and you can ask us to remove it at any time.
Your insurance certificate is also kept more carefully than other files. It is stored privately and is not shown on the website.
Who we share it with
We do not sell your information. We share it only where needed to run TaleRow:
- Authors: when a reader buys one of their books, the author is emailed the books ordered, the reader’s first name and the first letter of their surname, any signing message, and what the sale was worth after payment fees.
- The public: an author’s or trader’s profile photo, name or pen name, genres, description, website, Facebook and Instagram links and books appear on the website and may be used on TaleRow’s social media.
- Payment: Stripe, to take payments.
- Website statistics: Google Analytics, to count visits to the website, only if you accept analytics cookies.
- Our service providers: our website host, email provider, and the planning tools our organisers use. They may only use information to provide their service to us.
- The event WhatsApp group: members of the group, including other authors and traders, can see your name and number if you join it.
- Authorities and advisers: if the law requires it, or to our accountant for our records.
If any provider processes information outside the UK, we make sure there are proper safeguards in place, such as the UK’s approved contract terms.
How long we keep it
Author and trader profiles are deleted automatically 48 hours after the last event you take part in. This removes your profile page, photo, paperback listings and book covers, your application, your insurance certificate, your phone number and any access needs. We email you when it has happened. You can also ask us to delete it sooner.
Some things stay after that:
- Order records (names, emails, what was bought and paid): six years, because we must keep accounting records.
- Ebook files: kept privately so readers who bought an ebook can still download it. They are not shown on the website. Ask us if you want an ebook withdrawn.
- Unsuccessful applications and enquiries: kept for 12 months so that you can be invited to future events, then deleted.
- Messages and emails: only as long as needed to deal with them.
Being removed from the WhatsApp group is up to you and the group admins. We delete your number from our own records as above.
Cookies, your rights and complaints
Cookies. We use cookies the site needs to work: they remember your basket, keep you logged in if you have an account, and keep checkout and payment secure.
Website analytics. We would also like to use Google Analytics to understand how many people visit the website and which pages are useful, so we can improve it. These analytics cookies are only set if you choose “Yes, please” on our cookie bar. You can choose “No thanks” and still use the whole website. The information is anonymous, is collected by Google Ireland Limited, and does not include your name or contact details; we do not use it to identify you. We do not record visits to our private application pages. You can change your mind at any time by clearing this website’s cookies in your browser, after which the bar will ask you again.
Your rights. You can ask us to:
- show you the information we hold about you
- correct anything that is wrong
- delete your information (we will do so unless the law says we must keep it)
- limit or object to how we use it
- give you a copy you can reuse elsewhere
- stop using it where you gave your consent. Withdrawing consent never affects anything already done.
Email talerow@troisetoilespress.com and we will reply within one month. There is no charge.
Complaints. If you are unhappy, please tell us first so we can put it right. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.
Changes. If we change this policy we will update the date at the top of this page.