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Term & Condition

Welcome to California Book Publishers (“California Book Publishers,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of our website and all services we provide, including but not limited to ghostwriting, editing, proofreading, publishing, book design, printing, marketing, and related author services (collectively, the “Services”).

By accessing our website or using our services, you agree to be bound by these terms and our privacy policy. If you do not agree, you must not use the Website or our Services.

1. Definitions

For the purposes of these Terms:

“Website” refers to all pages and content on https://californiabookpublishers.com.
“Client,” “you,” or “your” refers to any individual, author, company, or entity that accesses the Website, submits an inquiry, places an order, or uses our Services.
“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to California Book Publishers.
“Services” include ghostwriting, book editing, proofreading, consulting, book publishing, book marketing, printing, layout design, cover design, audiobook-related services, and any other services we may offer.
“Project” means any individual engagement, order, or scope of work agreed upon between you and the Company.
“Deliverables” refers to any documents, manuscripts, edited files, designs, layouts, formats, or materials produced as part of a project.
“Order” means a request for services placed via phone, email, online form, or any other method approved by the company.
“Advance Payment” means the initial payment or retainer paid to commence a project.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing our Website, submitting an Order, making a payment, or using any of our Services, you:

Confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.
Agree that these Terms constitute a binding legal agreement between you and the Company.
Confirm that any person placing an Order on your behalf is authorized to do so and to bind you to these Terms.

If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must not use our Website or Services.

3. Eligibility

You must be of the legal age of consent in your jurisdiction to use our Services.
By placing an Order, you represent and warrant that you have the legal capacity and authority to enter into this agreement.
If you are using our Services on behalf of a business or organization, you represent that you are authorized to bind that entity to these Terms.

4. Services Offered

California Book Publishers provides, among others, the following Services:

Ghostwriting and book development
Book editing and proofreading
Book publishing and distribution support
Book marketing and promotional support
Book formatting, interior layout, and cover design
Printing coordination and production-related services
Author consulting and related professional services
Website development for authors
Any additional custom services agreed upon in writing

Each Project is governed by these Terms and any additional written agreement, proposal, email confirmation, or invoice that outlines the agreed scope, timelines, and fees.

5. Project Scope, Requirements, and Approvals

5.1 Project Requirements

Before starting any Project, we discuss your requirements, goals, genre, tone, and scope through email, calls, or forms.
You are responsible for providing complete, accurate, and final requirements at the beginning of the Project, including any reference material, outlines, guidelines, or instructions.
Any incomplete or incorrect requirements provided by you may affect quality, timelines, and outcomes, and may limit your eligibility for refunds.

5.2 Changes to Requirements and Scope

If you change your requirements, concept, or initial scope after work has started, this will be treated as a new Project or a scope expansion, and additional fees will apply.
If you submit one version of a manuscript for editing or ghostwriting and then later decide to replace it with a different version once work has started, the new version will be treated as a separate Project and will be billed separately.

5.3 Client Approvals

We may request your approval at various stages: outline, sample chapters, draft edits, design concepts, formatting proofs, or marketing materials.
Approvals can be given via email or other written means.
Once you approve a stage or Deliverable and we proceed, that approved work is considered accepted and is not eligible for refund, except as specifically provided in our Refund Policy.

6. Timelines and Turnaround

6.1 Standard Timelines

Approximate timelines are as follows, subject to Project size and complexity:

Editing and proofreading: usually 6 to 10 weeks per standard-length book after receipt of all materials and payment.
Formatting and layout: usually 3 to 6 weeks after final manuscript approval and completion of editing and proofreading.
Ghostwriting (manuscript only): We typically start working on the outline within 7 days of receiving the Advance Payment and your initial requirements. Total duration depends on the length of the Project and your responsiveness.
Ghostwriting with publishing and marketing: the overall process may take approximately 90 days up to 12 months (in rare cases), depending on your approvals, feedback cycles, and requested changes.

6.2 Dependencies and Delays

All timelines are estimations, and the project flow also depends on your timely responses, approvals, and provision of information or materials.
We are not responsible for delays caused by your non-responsiveness, late feedback, changes in scope, or third-party delays.
Rush or urgent requests may incur additional fees and must be agreed in writing.

7. Payments, Fees, and Taxes

7.1 Payment Terms

The full or partial upfront payment structure for each Project will be specified in your quote, invoice, or agreement.
In many cases, we require full payment in advance or a significant Advance Payment before work begins.
All payments must be made in the currency stated on the invoice and using the approved payment methods.

7.2 Processing and Transaction Fees

For certain refunds, a processing fee of ten percent (10%) of the total Project fee may be deducted, as described in our Refund Policy.
Any bank charges, transfer fees, or payment provider charges are your responsibility.

7.3 Non-Payment and Late Payment

We reserve the right to pause or stop work if payments are late or incomplete.
Final Deliverables will not be released until all due amounts are fully paid.

8. Revisions Policy

8.1 Included Revisions

Each Project includes two (2) revision rounds at no additional charge, unless otherwise specified in your Project agreement.
Revisions must be requested within 7 calendar days of delivery of the relevant draft or Deliverable.
Revisions are meant to refine and adjust the work in line with the original agreed scope, not to introduce entirely new concepts or directions.

8.2 Limitations on Revisions

You will not be entitled to unlimited or open-ended revisions. Revisions:

Must be reasonable, specific, and aligned with the original brief.
Cannot be used to change the genre, target audience, entire structure, or overall concept after work has substantially progressed.
Must be submitted as a consolidated list wherever possible to avoid duplication and confusion.

8.3 Additional Paid Revisions

After the included two (2) revision rounds have been used, any further revision requests will be charged according to the Project type and time required.
If your revision requests amount to a significant change of direction or scope, we will treat this as a new Project or a change order, with new fees and timelines.

9. Refund Policy

We expect you to read and understand this Refund Policy carefully before placing an Order.

9.1 General Principles

Refunds are not automatic and are considered only under specific conditions, as outlined below.
Under many scenarios, issues are handled first through revisions and support.
Refunds are not provided solely on the basis of subjective dissatisfaction with style if the Deliverables reasonably align with the agreed requirements.

9.2 Full Refund Before Work Starts

You may be entitled to a full refund less a 10 percent (10%) processing fee, if:

Our writer or editor has not yet started working on your Project, and
You request cancellation in writing within the specified period after payment.
Once work has started, you are no longer eligible for this full refund with a 10 percent processing fee.

9.3 No Refund After Acceptance of Work

You will not be entitled to any refund if:

You have accepted our work even once, such as approving a draft, design, or formatted file, or
You have accepted multiple revisions or revision rounds, or
The Project has been finalized and moved into formatting, production, or publishing.

9.4 Refund Eligibility Due to Incompetent Delivery

In rare cases where delivery is clearly not aligned with the documented and agreed requirements, you may request a refund only after:

You have used your included revisions in good faith, and
We have attempted to correct the issues, and
The work remains substantially off the agreed mark.

In such cases:

A partial refund based on a mutually agreed percentage may be offered.
We may also offer credits or future service value as an alternative, at our discretion.
Full refunds in such cases are exceptional and will be assessed by our internal review team based on evidence.

9.5 Refund Time Frame

Any refund request related to a completed stage or deliverable must be submitted within 7 days of delivery of that stage or Deliverable.
In all cases, refund requests must be made no later than 90 calendar days from the date of the original payment for that Project.
Requests made after these periods will not be considered.

9.6 Situations Where Refunds Are Not Available

You are not eligible for a refund if:

You change your mind about proceeding with the Project after work has started.
You provide incomplete, incorrect, or unclear requirements, leading to dissatisfaction.
You decide not to use the work delivered by us for personal, strategic, or business reasons.
You request a different direction, concept, or new set of requirements after the agreed scope is completed or mostly completed.
You are non-responsive to our queries, emails, or requests for clarification, which leads to delay or forced assumptions.
You make independent changes to the work provided and later become dissatisfied with the outcome of your own changes.
Dissatisfaction is based solely on personal taste or change in circumstances, not on failure to follow the agreed brief.
The dissatisfaction is limited to minor technical issues such as typos, minor formatting errors, or small discrepancies that can be corrected through revisions.

9.7 Project Changes Treated as New Projects

If you submit a manuscript for editing or ghostwriting and, after work has begun, you decide to replace it with a new or substantially different version, the replacement will be considered a new Project and will require a new payment.
Prior payments already consumed in working on the first version are not refundable.

9.8 Refund Processing

Approved refunds will be processed back to the original payment method, where possible.
A processing fee of ten percent (10%) may be deducted from eligible refunds to cover administrative and transactional costs.
The timeframe for the refund to appear in your account depends on your bank or payment provider.

10. Cancellations

You may request cancellation in writing.
If you cancel before work has started, the refund conditions in Section 9.2 apply.
If you cancel after work has started, your eligibility for any refund will be evaluated based on the work completed and the rules in Section 9.
The Company reserves the right to cancel any Project in cases of abuse, violation of these Terms, offensive or illegal content, or non-payment. In such cases, only the unused portion of the fee, if any, may be considered for partial refund at our discretion.

11. Formatting, Production, and Publishing

Once you finalize the manuscript and move the Project into formatting or production, no refunds or significant structural changes will be entertained.
The formatting process generally takes 4 to 6 weeks, depending on book size and complexity.
Minor formatting adjustments or corrections may be addressed, but substantial rewrites or structural changes at this stage will be billed as new work.

If your Project includes ghostwriting and final publishing, the overall process can span approximately 90 days to one year, primarily driven by:

Your speed in providing feedback and approvals.
The complexity of the manuscript and publishing plan.
Any additional services, such as marketing or printing.

12. Intellectual Property and Copyright

12.1 Client Intellectual Property

Any content, manuscript, concept, or material you provide to us remains your intellectual property. You represent that you either own the rights to this content or are authorized to use it.
You are responsible for ensuring that your content does not infringe any third-party rights.

12.2 Ownership of Deliverables

Upon full and final payment of all fees for a Project, and subject to these Terms, the rights to the final Deliverables, such as the written manuscript, edited version, formatted interior, and cover designs, are assigned to you, except where otherwise stated in writing.
Until full payment is received, all Deliverables remain the property of California Book Publishers and may not be used, published, or shared.

12.3 Company Materials and Tools

Any proprietary tools, methods, templates, internal documents, or processes used by us to deliver the Services remain our property and are not transferred to you.
We reserve the right to use general, non-identifying learnings and experience gained through the Project in our future work.

12.4 Portfolio and Credits

With your consent, we may reference your Project generically in our portfolio, unless confidentiality restrictions apply.
In some cases, we may request a credit line in the book or on associated materials. This will be discussed case by case.

13. Confidentiality and Data Security

We treat your manuscripts, ideas, and personal information as confidential.
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your data during transmission and storage.
Sensitive payment information is handled by third-party payment processors and is not stored on our servers.
You are responsible for keeping your own login information, if any, secure and confidential.

14. Client Responsibilities

By using our Services, you agree to:

Provide clear, complete, and accurate information and instructions.
Respond to emails, queries, and drafts in a timely manner.
Avoid submitting defamatory, illegal, plagiarized, or infringing content.
Review all Deliverables carefully and promptly, and notify us of any issues within the revision and refund timeframes.
Use the Deliverables in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

15. Website Use and Acceptable Use

You agree that you will not:

Use the Website for any unlawful purpose.
Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Website, servers, or systems.
Interfere with or disrupt the Website, including by introducing malware or harmful code.
Copy, reproduce, or distribute Website content without our prior written consent.

We may restrict or block access to the Website for any user who violates these Terms.

16. Email and Mobile Communication Policy

16.1 Consent and Use

By providing your email address and/or mobile number, you consent to receive communications from California Book Publishers, including:

Service-related updates
Project notifications and approvals
Invoices and payment reminders
Occasional marketing or promotional messages

16.2 Carrier Charges

Standard messaging and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier plan. You are responsible for any such charges.

16.3 Opt-Out and Unsubscribe

You can unsubscribe from marketing emails by clicking the “unsubscribe” link included in those emails.
You can opt out of SMS communications by replying with “STOP” or following the instructions provided in the message.
Even after opting out of marketing messages, we may still contact you with essential, non-promotional communications related to your active Projects or legal notices.

16.4 Privacy and Security

Your contact information will be handled according to our Privacy Policy and will not be shared with third parties except as necessary to deliver Services or as required by law.

16.5 Compliance

We strive to comply with all applicable regulations for email and SMS communications, including relevant guidelines for message content and frequency.

17. Third-Party Services and Links

Our Website or Services may include links to third-party websites or involve the use of third-party tools, platforms, or services.
We are not responsible for the content, terms, or policies of third-party websites or services.
Any third-party fees, licenses, or subscriptions required for your Project (for example, stock images, special fonts, or distribution fees) are your responsibility unless explicitly included in your package.

18. Disclaimer of Warranties

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

Our Services and Website are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis.
We do not guarantee specific sales, rankings, bestseller status, reviews, or commercial performance of any book or Project.
We do not warrant that the Website will be error-free, uninterrupted, or free of harmful components.
We do not provide legal, financial, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisors for those matters.

19. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

California Book Publishers will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including lost profits, lost data, or business interruption, arising out of or related to the use of our Services or Website.
Our total aggregate liability for any claim, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, will not exceed the total amount you paid to us for the specific Project giving rise to the claim.

20. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless California Book Publishers, its directors, employees, contractors, and affiliates from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of or in connection with:

Your use of the Website or Services.
Your violation of these Terms.
Your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property, confidentiality, or privacy rights.
Any content or material you submit or provide to us.

21. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Website or Services at any time if you breach these Terms or engage in fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity.
Termination does not affect any payment obligations already incurred or any rights and obligations that by their nature should survive termination, such as intellectual property provisions, limitations of liability, and indemnification.

22. Changes to Terms and Services

We may update or modify these Terms from time to time.
Any changes will be posted on the Website with an updated effective date.
Continued use of the Website or Services after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

23. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.
Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, the Website, or the Services will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in California.
You agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of these courts and waive any objection based on an inconvenient forum.

24. Client Questionnaire & Project Clarity Requirements

24.1 Mandatory Questionnaire Completion

Before the start of any Project, every Client is required to complete the official California Book Publishers Service Questionnaire relevant to the chosen service (ghostwriting, editing, proofreading, publishing, formatting, design, or marketing).
This questionnaire is a mandatory document that outlines your goals, expectations, preferences, requirements, and any specific instructions needed for us to begin work accurately.

24.2 Accuracy and Completeness of Responses

You are solely responsible for providing clear, complete, and accurate information in the questionnaire.

This includes but is not limited to:

Book genre, tone, and writing style
Target audience
Concept details, storyline elements, and character notes
Editing level required (light, standard, or developmental)
Formatting or design preferences
Publishing goals
Deadlines or schedule expectations
Any special requests or unique requirements

24.3 Consequences of Missing or Incomplete Information

If you fail to provide clarity, details, or required information in the questionnaire, you agree that:

We are permitted to proceed based on best judgment and industry standards.
Any dissatisfaction resulting from vague, incomplete, or missing instructions is not grounds for refunds, revisions, rewrites, or compensation.
Any issues that arise due to missing information in the questionnaire will not be considered the Company’s fault.

24.4 No Refund for Unstated Requirements

You are not eligible for a refund under any circumstances if:

The issue you are complaining about was not mentioned in your questionnaire.
The requirement was vague, unclear, incomplete, or omitted.
You changed your mind after submitting the questionnaire.
You provided additional requirements after work had already begun.

Refund eligibility requires full clarity in advance.

No clarity = No refund.

24.5 Changes After Questionnaire Submission

If you change your requirements, preferences, or instructions AFTER the questionnaire has been submitted and work has begun:

This will be treated as a new Project or
An additional paid revision depending on the size of the change.

24.6 Questionnaire as Proof of Agreement

The submitted questionnaire becomes part of the official Project record and will be used:

To evaluate refund requests.
To determine revision eligibility.
To assess whether our work met documented expectations.
As formal proof of the agreed scope and instructions.

Your approval of the questionnaire indicates that you understand its importance and accept its binding nature.

25. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms or would like clarification regarding any policy, you may contact us at:

California Book Publishers

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (760) 209-5002
Website: https://californiabookpublishers.com

Welcome to https://californiabookpublishers.com, the official website of California Book Publishers (“Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”). By using our Website or services, you agree to these legally binding Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree, please do not use the Website.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing our Website or using our services, you agree to comply with these Terms & Conditions and our Privacy Policy. These terms apply to all visitors, clients, and users.

2. Services Offered

California Book Publishers offers services such as:

Ghostwriting
Book editing
Publishing and distribution
Book marketing
Printing and layout design

Services are subject to individual project agreements and deliverables.

3. Intellectual Property

All materials on the Website, including text, images, graphics, logos, and other content, are the intellectual property of California Book Publishers or its licensors. You may not reproduce, reuse, or distribute any content without written permission.

Client-submitted content (e.g., manuscripts, outlines) remains the intellectual property of the client unless otherwise agreed.

4. User Responsibilities

You agree not to:

Use the Website for unlawful purposes
Upload content that is illegal, harmful, or infringes on others’ rights
Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
Disrupt the functionality of the Website or our services

5. Payments and Refunds

Payment terms are outlined in individual project agreements. All payments must be made as agreed before deliverables are released. Refunds, if applicable, are granted on a case-by-case basis depending on project status and services rendered.

6. No Guarantee of Publishing Success

While we offer professional publishing services, we do not guarantee book sales, bestseller status, or specific publishing outcomes. Results vary based on numerous external factors beyond our control.

7. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, California Book Publishers is not liable for:

Any direct, indirect, or consequential damages arising from use of our services or website
Any loss of data, business, or profits
Service delays or disruptions due to factors beyond our control

8. External Links

We may include links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the content, terms, or practices of such external sites.

9. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to update or modify these Terms & Conditions at any time. Continued use of our Website after changes indicates your acceptance.

10. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in California.

11. Contact Information

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

California Book Publishers
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (760) 209-5002
Website: https://californiabookpublishers.com