The Author's Bestiary

Terms of sale

These terms apply when you buy anything from The Author's Bestiary. I’ve kept them short and in plain English. If anything is unclear, email [email protected].

Who you’re buying from

The Author's Bestiary is run by The Author’s Bestiary Ltd, a company registered in Scotland (company number SC906357). Registered office: The Old Library, Fort Road, Helensburgh, United Kingdom. Email: [email protected].

Checkout, payment and receipts are handled by Payhip, with payments processed by Stripe or PayPal. Your contract is with The Author’s Bestiary Ltd.

Prices and payment

Prices are in US dollars and are one-time payments unless a product says otherwise. Prices include any VAT that applies, so the price on the site is the price you pay. Your bank may convert the amount if your card is in another currency.

Software licences

  • A personal licence: each licence is for one person, to use for books they write themselves, under any of their pen names and through their own imprint.
  • Included: co-written books where you’re one of the authors, and charity anthologies you take part in.
  • Publishers: if you publish other authors’ books (a press, publishing house or imprint with authors other than yourself), you need a publisher’s licence. Email [email protected] and we’ll sort one out.
  • How many computers: each licence key works on the number of computers stated on the product page (two for the desktop apps). You can free a computer yourself in the app, or email me if a computer has died.
  • Not allowed: sharing or reselling your key, letting other people use your licence, formatting or preparing books for clients or other authors (paid or free), or copying, decompiling or redistributing the software.
  • Updates: updates are included at no extra cost for as long as the product is sold. New, separate products are not included.
  • Free trials: trials are free to use as described on each product page. Please don’t try to get around their limits.

Your books and files

Everything you make with the software belongs to you. The apps run on your own computer and your files stay there. You’re responsible for checking your files (proofreading, retailer requirements, rights to the fonts and images you use) before you publish them. The apps help with that but can’t guarantee every retailer will accept every file.

Some apps can optionally connect to AI services such as Claude or ChatGPT. Those connections use your own accounts, and those services’ own terms apply.

Ebooks and downloads

Ebooks are delivered by BookFunnel straight after purchase. They’re for your own use; please don’t share or resell them.

Consultations

  • After buying a consultation you’ll get a link to book your session(s). Sessions are held by video call.
  • Rescheduling: free up to 48 hours before a session. Inside 48 hours we’ll try to find another time; a session you miss without notice may be forfeited.
  • Multi-session packages are best used within six months so the advice stays fresh, but they don’t expire.
  • Consultations are advice based on my experience. Publishing results depend on many things, so I can’t guarantee any particular outcome.

Cancellations and refunds

Software and ebooks. UK law gives you 14 days to cancel most online purchases. For digital products, that right ends once the download or licence key is delivered, because you ask for it to be supplied straight away and agree to lose the right to cancel when it is. That doesn’t leave you stuck: if something doesn’t work for you, email me. If I can’t fix it, I’ll refund you.

Consultations. You can cancel within 14 days of buying for a full refund, as long as no session has taken place. If you ask for a session within those 14 days and then cancel, you pay only for the sessions already held.

Printed books (when available): you can return an unused book within 14 days of receiving it for a refund. If it arrives damaged or misprinted, I’ll replace it or refund you.

To cancel or ask for a refund, email [email protected] with your order details. Refunds go back to your original payment method, usually within 14 days.

Your legal rights

Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights. Digital products must be as described, fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality; if they aren’t, you’re entitled to a repair, replacement or refund.

Our responsibility

We’re responsible for loss or damage you suffer that’s a foreseeable result of us breaking these terms or not using reasonable care. We’re not responsible for losses that weren’t foreseeable, for business losses such as lost sales or royalties, or for problems caused by retailers, distributors or third-party services. Nothing here limits our liability where the law doesn’t allow it, including for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or fraud.

Personal data

How your data is used is explained in the privacy notice.

Law and disputes

These terms are governed by the law of Scotland, and the Scottish courts can hear any dispute. If you live elsewhere in the UK or abroad, you keep any protections of your own country’s consumer law and can bring a claim there. If you have a problem, please email me first. I’d always rather sort it out.

Changes

I may update these terms from time to time. The version that applies is the one on this page when you placed your order.

Last updated 20 October 2026.