Terms of Service

1. Introduction

Welcome to BookSparker. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the BookSparker platform, including our website at booksparker.com, all related services, tools, and applications (collectively, the "Service"). The Service is operated by BookSparker Ltd ("BookSparker," "we," "us," or "our").

By creating an account or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

We may update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email or an in-app notice at least 14 days before they take effect. Your continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

2. Eligibility and Accounts

You must be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction) to use BookSparker. By creating an account, you represent that:

• All information you provide is accurate, current, and complete.
• You will maintain the accuracy of your information.
• You are responsible for all activity under your account.
• You will not create multiple accounts for the same purpose or to circumvent restrictions.

BookSparker offers two account types:

• Author accounts: For uploading, managing, and marketing books, creating landing pages, participating in newsletter swaps, group promotions, and paid promotions.
• Reader accounts: For discovering, downloading, and reading books shared by authors through the platform.

3. Subscriptions and Payments

3.1 Plans and Billing

BookSparker offers a free plan and paid subscription plans (currently "Growing Author" and "Pro Author") billed either monthly or annually. Prices are displayed on our Pricing page and are subject to change with 30 days' notice.

• Monthly plans are billed on the same date each month. Each billing cycle is a separate, non-refundable charge.
• Annual plans are billed as a single upfront payment for 12 months of service. Annual payments are non-refundable, and the subscription remains active until the end of the paid period.

3.2 No Refunds

All payments are final and non-refundable. When you subscribe, you are purchasing access for the full billing period (monthly or annual). We do not offer partial refunds for unused time, downgrades, or early cancellations. If you cancel, you retain access to paid features until the end of your current billing period.

3.3 Cancellation

You may cancel your subscription at any time from your account settings. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — you will not be charged again, but no refund is issued for the remaining time. After cancellation, your account reverts to the free plan.

3.4 Failed Payments

If a payment fails, we may retry the charge and/or suspend your access to paid features until the payment issue is resolved. We are not responsible for any consequences of suspended access due to failed payments.

4. Paid Promotions and Platform Commission

4.1 Paid Swap Promotions

Authors may offer or purchase paid promotional placements ("Paid Swaps") through the platform. When a paid swap is completed, the payment is processed through Stripe Connect.

4.2 Platform Commission

BookSparker charges a 15% platform commission on all paid swap transactions. This commission is automatically deducted from the payment before the remainder is disbursed to the selling author. By using the paid swap feature, you agree to this commission structure.

4.3 Payouts

Payouts to authors are processed through Stripe Connect. You are responsible for setting up and maintaining your Stripe Connect account, providing accurate banking and tax information, and complying with Stripe's terms of service. BookSparker is not responsible for delays caused by Stripe or your financial institution.

5. User Conduct and Platform Integrity

5.1 Acceptable Use

You agree to use BookSparker in good faith and in accordance with its intended purpose. You must not:

• Upload content you do not own or have the legal right to distribute.
• Use the platform for spam, fraud, or deceptive practices.
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Service.
• Use automated tools to scrape data or interfere with the Service.
• Reverse engineer or attempt to extract the source code of the platform.
• Harass, threaten, or abuse other users.

5.2 Newsletter Swap and Promotion Rules

When participating in newsletter swaps or group promotions, you must:

• Honour all swap commitments you agree to — send your swap on the agreed date and include the agreed content.
• Not fabricate, inflate, or falsify confirmation evidence (e.g., fake screenshots, manipulated click data).
• Provide accurate information about your mailing list size, engagement rates, and book details.
• Not use deceptive tactics to attract swap partners (e.g., misrepresenting genre, audience, or list quality).
• Respond to swap requests and messages in a timely manner.

5.3 Prohibited Conduct

The following actions are strictly prohibited and may result in immediate account suspension or termination:

• Repeatedly failing to send agreed newsletter swaps without valid reason.
• Submitting fake or manipulated swap confirmations.
• Creating multiple accounts to circumvent bans, limits, or restrictions.
• Engaging in click fraud or artificially inflating performance metrics.
• Using the platform to distribute malware, viruses, or harmful content.
• Abusing the dispute or reporting system.
• Any activity that we reasonably determine undermines platform trust or integrity.

6. Account Suspension and Termination

6.1 By You

You may close your account at any time by contacting us at info@booksparker.com or through your account settings. Closing your account does not entitle you to a refund of any subscription fees already paid.

6.2 By Us

We reserve the right to suspend, restrict, or permanently terminate any account at our sole discretion, with or without notice, if we reasonably believe the user:

• Has violated these Terms or any applicable law.
• Is acting in bad faith or engaging in suspicious activity.
• Is undermining the trust, safety, or integrity of the platform.
• Has been reported by multiple users for misconduct.
• Is using the platform in a manner that is harmful to other users or to BookSparker.

Terminated accounts forfeit all active subscriptions, pending payouts (if related to the violation), and access to the platform. We are under no obligation to provide advance warning, though we will endeavour to do so when appropriate.

7. Content and Intellectual Property

7.1 Your Content

You retain full ownership of any content you upload to BookSparker (books, cover images, descriptions, etc.). By uploading content, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to host, store, display, distribute, and convert your content as necessary to operate the Service.

7.2 Prohibited Content

You may not upload content that:

• Infringes on any third party's intellectual property rights.
• Contains illegal, harmful, threatening, or abusive material.
• Promotes violence, discrimination, or harassment.
• Contains malware, viruses, or malicious code.
• Violates privacy rights or includes personal information without consent.

7.3 BookSparker IP

The BookSparker name, logo, platform design, features, and underlying technology are owned by BookSparker Ltd and protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, or distribute any part of our platform without written permission.

7.4 DMCA / Copyright Claims

We respond to valid copyright infringement notices. If you believe your work has been infringed, contact us at info@booksparker.com with a detailed description of the alleged infringement. We will investigate and take appropriate action, which may include removing the content and suspending the uploader's account.

8. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, BookSparker Ltd, its directors, employees, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of the Service, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, revenue, or business opportunities.

Our total liability for any claim arising under these Terms shall not exceed the total amount you paid to BookSparker in the 12 months preceding the claim.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless BookSparker Ltd, its directors, officers, employees, and agents from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from: (a) your use of the Service; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any third party's rights, including intellectual property rights; or (d) any content you upload or distribute through the platform.

10. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. Nothing in these Terms limits your rights under mandatory consumer protection laws in your jurisdiction.

11. General Provisions

• Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.
• Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and BookSparker.
• No Waiver: Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision.
• Assignment: You may not assign your rights or obligations under these Terms without our written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations without restriction.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us: