terms & conditions

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User," "you," or "your") and The Slow Burn Reader ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"), governing your access to and use of the website located at theslowburnreader.com, including all subdomains, related pages, features, content, and services offered therein (collectively, the "Platform").

By accessing or using the Platform in any manner — including browsing, registering an account, making a purchase, submitting content, or participating in any community feature — you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms in their entirety, together with our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated herein by reference.

IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY CEASE ALL USE OF THE PLATFORM.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. When we do, we will update the "Last Updated" date above. Continued use of the Platform after any modification constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically.

Use of the Platform is available only to individuals who are at least 18 years of age, or the applicable age of majority in their jurisdiction, whichever is greater. By using the Platform, you represent and warrant that you meet this eligibility requirement.

If you are using the Platform on behalf of an entity, you represent and warrant that you have authority to bind that entity to these Terms, and references to "you" include both you individually and the entity.

We reserve the right to refuse service, terminate accounts, or cancel orders at our sole discretion, for any reason or no reason, at any time.

3.1 Account Creation

Certain features of the Platform require you to create an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to update such information as necessary to keep it accurate, current, and complete.

3.2 Account Security

You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. You agree to notify us immediately at hello@theslowburnreader.com if you suspect any unauthorized use of your account. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to protect your account credentials.

3.3 Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account, without notice or liability, for any reason, including but not limited to: violation of these Terms, fraudulent or illegal activity, conduct harmful to other users, authors, or the integrity of the Platform, or extended periods of inactivity.

Upon termination, your right to use the Platform ceases immediately. Provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination will survive, including but not limited to Sections 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 14.

4.1 Nature of the Platform

The Slow Burn Reader operates as a curated book marketplace connecting readers with independent authors and publishers ("Sellers" or "Authors"). We facilitate transactions between buyers and Sellers but, except where we are the direct seller of a product, we are not a party to the transaction between you and any individual Seller.

4.2 No Endorsement

While we apply editorial curation standards to books listed on the Platform, the presence of any title or Seller does not constitute our endorsement, warranty, or guarantee regarding the quality, accuracy, completeness, legality, or any other aspect of the content or products offered by that Seller, except as explicitly stated by us in writing.

4.3 Seller Responsibility

Individual Sellers are solely responsible for the accuracy of their product listings, descriptions, pricing, availability, and fulfillment of orders placed for their products. We are not liable for any Seller's failure to fulfill an order, misrepresentation of a product, or breach of any obligation to a buyer.

5.1 Product Listings

We make reasonable efforts to display products and their descriptions accurately. However, we do not warrant that product descriptions, pricing, or other content on the Platform is accurate, complete, current, or error-free. Prices and availability are subject to change without notice.

5.2 Order Acceptance

Submission of an order constitutes an offer to purchase. No contract is formed until we or the applicable Seller accept the order, which typically occurs upon confirmation of payment and dispatch of an order confirmation. We reserve the right to cancel or refuse any order at any time, including after acceptance, for reasons including but not limited to product unavailability, pricing errors, or suspected fraud.

If we cancel an order after payment has been processed, you will receive a full refund to your original payment method.

5.3 Pricing

All prices are displayed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated. Prices do not include applicable taxes, shipping fees, or other charges, which will be calculated and disclosed prior to the completion of your purchase.

5.4 Payment Processing

Payment is processed through third-party payment processors. By submitting payment information, you authorize us and our processors to charge the applicable amount to your chosen payment method. We do not store full payment card details on our servers. Your use of payment services is additionally subject to the terms of the applicable third-party payment processor.

5.5 Sales Tax

We collect and remit applicable sales tax in accordance with the laws of applicable jurisdictions. You are responsible for any taxes, duties, or levies imposed by your local jurisdiction on purchases made through the Platform.

6.1 License Grant

Upon purchase of a digital product, including but not limited to ebooks and downloadable content, we or the applicable Seller grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the digital product for your personal, non-commercial use only.

6.2 Restrictions

You may not reproduce, redistribute, transmit, resell, lend, rent, lease, sublicense, or otherwise transfer any digital product to any third party. You may not remove, alter, or circumvent any digital rights management ("DRM") mechanisms, copyright notices, or other proprietary markings associated with any digital product.

6.3 No Refunds on Digital Products

Because digital products are delivered electronically and are immediately accessible upon purchase, all sales of digital products are final and non-refundable, except as required by applicable law or as expressly stated in our Refund Policy.

6.4 Access and Availability

We do not guarantee that access to your purchased digital products will be uninterrupted or error-free. In the event of a technical failure resulting in permanent loss of access to a purchased digital product, your sole remedy is a replacement download or store credit at our discretion.

7.1 Physical Products

Physical books and merchandise sold through the Platform may be fulfilled by us directly, by third-party print-on-demand services, by dropship suppliers, or by individual Sellers. The applicable fulfillment method will be disclosed in the product listing or order confirmation where possible.

7.2 Shipping Timelines

Estimated shipping and delivery timelines provided on the Platform are estimates only and are not guarantees. Delivery times may vary based on product type, fulfillment method, carrier performance, and factors beyond our control, including customs processing for international orders.

7.3 Risk of Loss

Risk of loss and title for physical products passes to you upon delivery to the applicable carrier. We are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged packages after handoff to the carrier, though we will make reasonable commercial efforts to assist you in resolving such issues.

7.4 International Orders

Orders shipped internationally may be subject to import duties, taxes, and customs processing fees imposed by the destination country. These charges are the sole responsibility of the recipient. We have no control over and cannot predict the amount of such charges.

8.1 All Sales Are Final

All purchases made through The Slow Burn Reader are final. We do not accept returns or issue refunds on the basis of a change of mind, buyer's remorse, dissatisfaction with content, or any expectation that was not met by the product description. Every physical book listed on the Platform has been read and editorially reviewed before it reaches our shelf. We stand behind what we carry. We do not, however, guarantee it will be the right book for every reader.

8.2 Digital Products

All sales of digital products, including ebooks and downloadable content, are final and non-refundable under all circumstances, without exception. Once a download link has been accessed or a file delivered, no refund will be issued.

8.3 Damaged or Defective Physical Products

The only circumstance under which a refund, replacement, or store credit may be issued for a physical product is if the item arrives in a condition that is materially damaged or physically defective due to a fulfillment or shipping error.

To be considered for a remedy under this provision, you must:

(a) Contact us at hello@theslowburnreader.com within 7 days of the confirmed delivery date;

(b) Provide clear photographic evidence of the damage or defect at the time of receipt; and

(c) Provide your order number and the name on the order.

Requests submitted after the 7-day window will not be considered, regardless of circumstance.

8.4 What Does Not Qualify

The following do not qualify as damage or defect and will not be considered for a refund, replacement, or store credit under any circumstances:

(a) The content, story, writing style, or subject matter of the book not meeting your personal expectations;

(b) Minor cosmetic imperfections consistent with standard manufacturing or shipping, such as small scuffs, slight spine creases, or minor cover wear;

(c) A book you have already read, partially read, or otherwise used;

(d) Orders where the product was accurately described in the listing and delivered as described; or

(e) Dissatisfaction resulting from a purchasing decision made without reading the product description, editorial notes, or available reviews on the Platform.

8.5 Our Determination

We review all damage and defect claims at our sole discretion. If a claim is approved, we will offer, at our election, one of the following remedies: a replacement of the same item (subject to availability), store credit in the amount of the purchase price, or a refund to the original payment method. We reserve the right to request the return of the damaged item before issuing any remedy, with return shipping prepaid by us in that circumstance only.

8.6 Incorrect Item Received

If you receive an item that is materially different from what you ordered, please contact us at hello@theslowburnreader.com within 7 days of delivery with your order number and photographic evidence. We will arrange the appropriate remedy at no additional cost to you. This provision applies only to incorrect fulfillment, not to dissatisfaction with a correctly fulfilled order.

8.7 Refund Processing

Approved refunds will be processed to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days of our written confirmation. Processing timelines may vary by financial institution.

9.1 Membership Tiers

The Platform may offer one or more paid membership programs (collectively, "Membership") that provide access to exclusive benefits, content, discounts, or other features. The specific terms, pricing, and benefits of each Membership tier are described on the applicable membership page and are subject to change.

9.2 Billing and Renewal

Membership fees are billed in advance on a recurring basis (monthly or annual, as selected at enrollment) and will automatically renew at the end of each billing period unless cancelled prior to the renewal date. By enrolling in a Membership, you authorize us to charge your payment method on a recurring basis.

9.3 Cancellation

You may cancel your Membership at any time through your account settings or by contacting hello@theslowburnreader.com. Cancellation will take effect at the end of the current billing period. We do not provide prorated refunds for unused portions of a membership period unless required by applicable law.

9.4 Modification or Discontinuation

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any Membership program, or change the benefits, pricing, or terms associated with any Membership tier, at any time with reasonable prior notice. If we materially reduce the benefits of a Membership you have already paid for, we will provide you with a prorated refund for the affected period upon request.

9.5 Membership Restrictions

Membership benefits are personal to the account holder and may not be transferred, gifted, or shared. We reserve the right to revoke Membership benefits if we determine, in our sole discretion, that they are being used in violation of these Terms or in a manner inconsistent with the intent of the program.

10.1 Program Overview

The Platform may offer a loyalty or rewards program ("Loyalty Program") that allows eligible users to earn points or credits through qualifying purchases and activities. Points or credits have no cash value and cannot be redeemed for cash.

10.2 Earning and Redemption

The earning rates, eligible activities, redemption values, and permitted uses of Loyalty Program points or credits are set forth on the applicable program page and are subject to change at any time without notice.

10.3 Expiration

Points or credits may expire if your account is inactive for a period specified in the program terms, or upon termination of your account for any reason.

10.4 Modification or Termination

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the Loyalty Program at any time, with or without notice. We are not liable to you for any loss of points or credits resulting from modification or termination of the program.

10.5 No Property Interest

You acknowledge that points or credits earned through the Loyalty Program do not constitute property, have no monetary value, and cannot be transferred, inherited, or assigned.

This Section applies to individuals and entities who register on the Platform as Sellers or Authors.

11.1 Seller Eligibility

To list products on the Platform as a Seller, you must complete the seller registration process, agree to any additional Seller Agreement or Vendor Agreement provided by us, and comply with all applicable laws governing the sale of your products.

11.2 Seller Representations and Warranties

By listing products on the Platform, each Seller represents and warrants that:

(a) You hold all necessary rights, licenses, and permissions to sell the products you list, including all intellectual property rights in the content, cover art, text, and other materials included in or associated with the product;

(b) Your products do not infringe any third party's copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, right of publicity, or any other proprietary or intellectual property right;

(c) Your products comply with all applicable laws, including but not limited to consumer protection laws, content regulations, and laws governing the sale of books and digital products;

(d) All product descriptions, pricing, and other information you provide are accurate and not misleading; and

(e) You are authorized to enter into this agreement and to perform your obligations hereunder.

11.3 Commission and Fees

Sales made through the Platform are subject to a commission structure as set forth in the Seller Agreement. Commission rates are calculated based on the product sale price and are subject to change with reasonable prior notice to Sellers.

11.4 Seller Conduct

Sellers may not engage in any fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative practices, including but not limited to review manipulation, false advertising, or misrepresentation of product content. We reserve the right to remove any Seller listing, suspend any Seller account, and withhold payment of any outstanding balance pending investigation of suspected misconduct.

11.5 Seller Indemnification

Each Seller agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless The Slow Burn Reader and its officers, employees, contractors, and agents from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or related to: (a) the Seller's products; (b) any breach by the Seller of these Terms or any Seller Agreement; (c) any infringement by the Seller of any third party's intellectual property rights; or (d) any violation by the Seller of applicable law.

12.1 Scope

Certain areas of the Platform may permit you to post, submit, or otherwise contribute content, including but not limited to book reviews, discussion comments, ratings, and responses to editorial prompts ("User Content").

12.2 License Grant

By submitting User Content, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, and fully sublicensable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, distribute, display, and perform such User Content in connection with the operation and promotion of the Platform, in any format or medium now known or hereafter developed.

12.3 Representations and Warranties

By submitting User Content, you represent and warrant that: (a) you own or have the right to submit the content; (b) the content does not infringe any third party's intellectual property rights or other rights; (c) the content is accurate and not misleading; and (d) the content complies with these Terms and all applicable laws.

12.4 Prohibited Content

You may not submit User Content that:

(a) Is false, misleading, or fraudulent;

(b) Is defamatory, obscene, pornographic, harassing, threatening, abusive, hateful, or discriminatory;

(c) Infringes any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or other proprietary right;

(d) Contains viruses, malware, or other harmful code;

(e) Constitutes unsolicited commercial solicitation or spam;

(f) Violates the privacy of any individual; or

(g) Violates any applicable law or regulation.

12.5 Monitoring and Removal

We reserve the right, but are not obligated, to monitor, review, edit, or remove any User Content at our sole discretion and at any time, without notice to you and without liability.

12.6 No Compensation

You acknowledge that you will not receive any compensation for User Content you submit.

13.1 Our Intellectual Property

The Platform and all content, features, functionality, design elements, logos, trademarks, service marks, graphics, text, images, and software included therein (excluding Seller content and User Content) are the exclusive property of The Slow Burn Reader or its licensors and are protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

13.2 Limited License to Users

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Platform for your personal, non-commercial use, subject to these Terms. This license does not include the right to: (a) scrape, crawl, or systematically collect content from the Platform; (b) reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works of Platform content; (c) frame or mirror any portion of the Platform without our express written consent; or (d) use any data mining, robots, or similar automated data collection tools on the Platform.

13.3 Feedback

If you submit feedback, suggestions, or ideas about the Platform ("Feedback"), you grant us an unrestricted, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable license to use such Feedback for any purpose without obligation to compensate you.

13.4 DMCA and Copyright Infringement

We respect intellectual property rights and expect our users and Sellers to do the same. If you believe content on the Platform infringes your copyright, please send a notice to hello@theslowburnreader.com that includes: (a) identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed; (b) identification of the allegedly infringing material and its location on the Platform; (c) your contact information; (d) a statement that you have a good faith belief that the use is not authorized; and (e) a statement, made under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the owner's behalf.

In addition to restrictions stated elsewhere in these Terms, you agree not to use the Platform to:

(a) Violate any applicable federal, state, local, or international law or regulation;

(b) Engage in any conduct that restricts or inhibits any other user's use or enjoyment of the Platform;

(c) Impersonate any person or entity, or falsely state or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity;

(d) Engage in any unauthorized collection or use of personal information about other users;

(e) Transmit any advertising or promotional material without our prior written consent;

(f) Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Platform, other user accounts, or any systems or networks connected to the Platform;

(g) Introduce any viruses, Trojan horses, worms, logic bombs, or other malicious or technologically harmful material;

(h) Conduct any systematic or automated data collection activities without our express written consent; or

(i) Otherwise attempt to interfere with the proper functioning of the Platform.

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites, services, or applications that are not owned or controlled by us. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services. We do not endorse or make any representations about third-party sites.

Certain features of the Platform are powered by third-party service providers, including payment processors, print-on-demand fulfillment services, email marketing platforms, analytics tools, and membership management software. Your use of these features is subject to the applicable third-party terms of service and privacy policies, in addition to these Terms.

We encourage you to review the terms and privacy policies of any third-party services you access through or in connection with the Platform.

Your use of the Platform is subject to our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the Platform, you consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your information as described in the Privacy Policy.

THE PLATFORM AND ALL CONTENT, PRODUCTS, AND SERVICES MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE PLATFORM ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT: (A) THE PLATFORM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE; (B) ANY DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED; (C) THE PLATFORM OR ITS SERVERS ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS; OR (D) THE RESULTS OF USING THE PLATFORM WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS.

YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM AND ANY CONTENT OR PRODUCTS OBTAINED THROUGH THE PLATFORM IS AT YOUR OWN RISK AND SOLE DISCRETION.

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL THE SLOW BURN READER, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, LICENSORS, OR SERVICE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY:

(A) INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES;

(B) LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, BUSINESS, OR GOODWILL;

(C) PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE;

(D) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF YOUR DATA OR TRANSMISSIONS; OR

(E) ANY OTHER LOSSES ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM OR THESE TERMS,

EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

IN NO EVENT WILL OUR TOTAL CUMULATIVE LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE TOTAL AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS ($100.00).

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain warranties or liabilities, so the above limitations may not apply to you. In such jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless The Slow Burn Reader and its officers, directors, employees, agents, contractors, licensors, and service providers from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, losses, costs, expenses, and fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to:

(a) Your use of the Platform in violation of these Terms;

(b) Your User Content;

(c) Any product or transaction involving you as a Seller;

(d) Your violation of any applicable law or the rights of any third party; or

(e) Any dispute between you and another user or Seller.

We reserve the right to assume exclusive control over the defense of any matter for which you are required to indemnify us, and you agree to cooperate with our defense of such claims.

20.1 Governing Law

These Terms and any disputes arising out of or related to your use of the Platform or these Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Mexico, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

20.2 Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal legal proceeding, you agree to contact us at hello@theslowburnreader.com and attempt to resolve the dispute informally. We will attempt to resolve disputes informally within 30 days of receiving written notice. If we are unable to resolve the dispute within that period, either party may proceed with formal dispute resolution.

20.3 Binding Arbitration

Except for claims that qualify for small claims court, you and The Slow Burn Reader agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Platform will be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, rather than in court. The arbitration will be conducted in English, and the arbitrator's decision will be final and binding.

You and we both waive the right to a trial by jury and the right to participate in a class action or class arbitration. Each party may bring claims only in their individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding.

20.4 Exceptions

Notwithstanding Section 20.3, either party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent actual or threatened infringement, misappropriation, or violation of intellectual property rights.

20.5 Venue

For any dispute that is not subject to arbitration or otherwise permitted to be heard in court, you and we submit to personal jurisdiction in the federal and state courts located in the State of New Mexico.

20.6 Time Limitation on Claims

Any claim or cause of action you may have arising out of or relating to your use of the Platform or these Terms must be filed within one (1) year after the claim or cause of action arises, or it will be permanently barred.

By creating an account or making a purchase on the Platform, you consent to receive electronic communications from us, including transactional emails, membership communications, and promotional messages (where you have opted in). You agree that electronic communications satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing. You may opt out of promotional communications at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions in those messages.

We will not be liable for any failure or delay in performance resulting from causes beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics, war, terrorism, government action, internet outages, power failures, supply chain disruptions, or failure of third-party service providers.

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable under applicable law, such provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, or if it cannot be so modified, it will be severed from these Terms. The remaining provisions of these Terms will continue in full force and effect.

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not constitute a waiver of that right or provision. No waiver of any provision of these Terms will be effective unless in writing and signed by an authorized representative of The Slow Burn Reader.

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any Seller Agreement or other agreements incorporated by reference herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and The Slow Burn Reader with respect to your use of the Platform and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations, and understandings of any kind.

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding these Terms, please contact us:

The Slow Burn Reader Email: hello@theslowburnreader.com

These Terms and Conditions were last updated on 6/8/2026.