Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 22, 2026

The Rustic Poet ("we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy. This policy explains what information we collect when you visit therusticpoet.com, how we use it, and the choices you have.

Information We Collect

We only collect information you choose to give us, plus a small amount of technical data needed to run the site.

  • Newsletter sign-ups. When you subscribe to Rustic Embers, we store your email address (and your name, if you provide one).
  • Contact form. When you message us, we collect your name, email address, and the contents of your message so we can reply.
  • Comments. If you comment on a journal entry, we store the name and email address you submit with your comment.
  • Purchases. If you buy a book or other item, we collect the details needed to fulfill your order, such as your name and shipping address. Payments are handled by a secure third-party payment provider; we do not see or store your full card details.
  • Automatic data. Like most websites, our server records basic technical information such as your IP address, browser type, and the pages you visit. We may also use cookies and similar tools (see below).

How We Use Your Information

  • To send you the Rustic Embers newsletter, if you have subscribed.
  • To respond to your messages and inquiries.
  • To publish and manage comments you submit.
  • To process and deliver any orders you place.
  • To keep the site secure and to understand how it is used so we can improve it.

Social Media Publishing

We publish our own poems and updates to our own social media accounts — Facebook Pages, Instagram, Threads, X, Bluesky, Pinterest, and LinkedIn — using each platform's official API.

  • We use access tokens granted by the account owner solely to create and manage posts on the account owner's own pages and profiles. We never post on behalf of, or to, anyone else's account.
  • We do not collect, store, or process the personal data of followers, commenters, or other users of those platforms.
  • Technical data obtained from these APIs (such as a Page ID, account ID, post ID, and the access token) is used only to publish and manage our own content, is stored securely, and is not sold or shared with third parties except as required to operate the publishing integration.
  • Our use of information received from the Meta Platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Threads) complies with the Meta Platform Terms and Developer Policies. Our use of Pinterest and X (Twitter) APIs complies with the Pinterest Developer Guidelines and the X Developer Agreement and Policy respectively.

Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to keep the site working correctly and to measure general traffic and usage. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some parts of the site may not work as well without them.

Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with the service providers that help us operate the site — for example, our email delivery service, website hosting, analytics tools, and payment processor — and only as needed for them to perform those services. We may also disclose information if required by law.

Email and Unsubscribing

Every newsletter we send includes an unsubscribe link. You can opt out at any time, and we will stop sending you marketing email.

Data Retention

We keep your information only as long as needed for the purposes described above, or as required by law. You may ask us to delete your information at any time.

Your Rights

You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you, ask us to correct it, or ask us to delete it. To make a request, contact us using the details below.

Children's Privacy

This website is not directed at children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or the information we hold, contact us at silas@therusticpoet.com.