Terms & Conditions

NON-DISCLOSURE TERMS & CONDITIONS

​

Effective Date: June 11, 2025

 

By submitting any application to become a Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member for any and all works written and/or published by author T.M. Polak (“Author,” “Disclosing Party,” or “Company”), you (‘receiving party,’ or ‘Test Reader,’ or 'ARC Reviewer,' or 'Street Team Member') acknowledge and agree to the following terms for the purpose of preventing the unauthorized disclosure of Confidential Information as defined below. The parties agree to enter into a confidential relationship with respect to the disclosure of confidential information (‘Confidential Information’):

 

1. Definition of Confidential Information

The Author’s work received for the purposes of test reading, whether it be in electronic or in hard-copy form and a full manuscript or an excerpt. Also any information given via email, Facebook Messenger, text message, or any other means of communication.

 

2. Exclusions

If the Author has published the work that Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member has been requested to read, Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member will be allowed to speak (verbally or electronically) with members of the public regarding the work but not physically or electronically share it, unless a physical copy has been freely given as a gift from the author or legally purchased from a physical or digital book retailer or, if an electronic version (through which the Author has legally given permission to share the work).The Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member has permission to post a review on book review websites (e.g. Amazon, Goodreads) after the book has been published or under additional terms and conditions specified for ARC Reviewer and Street Team Member promotions (see below section titled "Supplemental Notice for ARC Reviewers and Street Team Members"). The Test Reader has permission to speak with the Author or other Test Readers regarding the Author’s work.

 

3. Intellectual Property and Copyright

The Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member agrees and confirms that any and all work submitted to them from the Author is the rightful intellectual property and copyrighted material of the Author. The submission of material for test reading and/or editing privileges made exclusively under this agreement is in no way to be represented as purchased or gifted property.

 

4. Unlawful Content Distribution

The Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member agrees that under no circumstances will they redistribute, copy (either electronically or physically), share, or make public any material in any size or quantity to any third party outside of this Agreement without expressed written consent from the Author. The Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member understands that this includes but is not limited to piracy, speaking about manuscript contents with anyone other than the Author, and duplicating the manuscript in any form. The Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member understands that this also includes all forms of communication but is not limited to in-person conversations, emails, text messages, social media platforms, online forums, or any other medium.

​

5. Preliminary Draft Notice

The Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member acknowledges that the manuscript received is not the final version and may undergo significant changes before publication. If the Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member wishes to publicly quote or promote the book, the Test Reader agrees to verify all quotes against the final published version before sharing publicly.

​

6. Feedback Commitment

By participating, the Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member agrees to read the manuscript in full and provide constructive feedback to the Author by the specified deadline dates established for each piece of work. Feedback should be thoughtful, respectful, and focused on aspects such as plot, character development, pacing, and overall reader experience.

​

7. Review and Public Commentary

The Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member may not post reviews or public commentary on the manuscript until the final version is officially published unless otherwise authorized to do so in writing by the Author (see below section titled "Supplemental Notice for ARC Reviewers and Street Team Members"). Once the book is published, the Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member is encouraged to leave honest reviews on platforms such as Amazon and Goodreads.

​

6. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be upheld by the legal authority (court) that presides over the Author’s and the Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member’s state and/or country of residence, whether that be a state of the United States or other country. The Company or Author has the right to prosecute any and all violations of the Agreement by any legal means available.

​

7. Liability

Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member is solely responsible for any violation of this Agreement. Author will not be held liable for Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member’s actions.

 

8. Length of Agreement

This Agreement will be valid indefinitely, unless otherwise specified in writing and signed by both parties, even in the event the Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member is no longer associated with the Author.

​

9. Contact

For questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at tmpolak.author@gmail.com.

​

By submitting any Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member applications, the Test Reader/ARC Reviewer/Street Team Member identified in the form submission fields of the relevant application confirms that they have read, understood, and agree to comply with these Non-Disclosure Terms & Conditions.

​

Supplemental Notice for ARC Reviewers and Street Team Members

​

1. Information Collected
When you apply to become an ARC/Street Team Member, we collect:

• Name, email address, and any social media handles provided.

• Demographic information (if requested, optional).

• Communication history (emails, direct messages, text messages).

• Feedback you provide on the manuscript.

 

2. Purpose of Collection
We collect this information to:

• Review and select participants for ARC/Street Team Member.

• Manage communication with ARC Reviewers and Street Team Members.

• Facilitate feedback collection for the manuscript under the Non-Disclosure Terms & Conditions.

 

3. How We Use Your Data
We use your data strictly to:

• Evaluate your application.

• Provide you with manuscript materials under the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

• Contact you regarding deadlines, feedback, and related opportunities.

 

4. Confidentiality
Your application and all communications will be kept confidential. Feedback you provide will be used solely to improve the manuscript or marketing strategy. We do not share your contact information with other readers or third parties unless required by law.

 

5. Data Retention
We retain your application data as long as is necessary for ARC/Street Team coordination and for record-keeping purposes related to manuscript development. You may request deletion at any time (except where legal obligations apply).

 

6. Data Security
We implement appropriate measures to protect your data, including password protection, secure storage, and access controls.

7. Your Rights
You have the right to:

• Access your data.

• Correct inaccuracies.

• Request deletion (subject to legal or contractual obligations).

 

8. Governing Law
Your data and participation in the ARC/Street Team process are subject to the jurisdiction specified in the Non-Disclosure Terms & Conditions.

 

9. Contact
For privacy concerns or to exercise your rights, please contact tmpolak.author@gmail.com.

​