Privacy Policy
UsefulWriter LLC | UsefulWriter.com | ActiveLessons.com | NarrativeSTUDIO
Last Updated: December 19, 2025
Our Commitment to Your Privacy
At UsefulWriter LLC, we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect across all our services, how we use it, and your rights regarding your data.
This policy applies to all UsefulWriter LLC services, including UsefulWriter.com, ActiveLessons.com, and NarrativeSTUDIO. We believe in transparency—if you have questions about this policy, please contact us using the information provided at the end of this document.
Who We Are
UsefulWriter.com, ActiveLessons.com, and NarrativeSTUDIO are owned and operated by UsefulWriter LLC, a Virginia limited liability company.
Contact Information:
UsefulWriter LLC
435 Merchant Walk Square, Ste 300 - 595
Charlottesville, VA 22902
United States
Phone: 434.263.9160
Email: hello@usefulwriter.com
Information We Collect
The information we collect varies depending on which of our services you use.
Information You Provide to Us
ActiveLessons.com (Newsletter Service)
When you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect:
- Email address (required for newsletter delivery)
- Name (optional, to personalize communications)
- Preferences (topics of interest, learning goals)
- Communication history (emails opened, links clicked)
NarrativeSTUDIO (Business Services)
When you subscribe to NarrativeSTUDIO, we collect:
- Business contact information (name, email, phone number)
- Company information (business name, website, industry)
- Billing information (bank account details for ACH payments, billing address)
- Project materials (brand guidelines, logos, style guides, topic preferences)
- Communication records (Planning and Strategy Call notes, project feedback, email correspondence)
- Authorized contacts (names and contact information for team members authorized to act on your account)
UsefulWriter.com (General Inquiries)
When you contact us through our website, we may collect:
- Contact information (name, email address)
- Message content (your inquiry or feedback)
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit any of our websites, we may automatically collect:
- Technical information (browser type, device type, operating system)
- Usage data (pages visited, time spent on pages, referring websites)
- IP address (for analytics and security purposes)
- Cookies and similar technologies (see Cookies section below)
Information We Do NOT Collect
We do not collect:
- Social Security numbers or government ID numbers
- Credit card numbers (we use ACH for NarrativeSTUDIO payments)
- Sensitive personal information (health data, religious beliefs, etc.)
- Information from children under 13 years of age
How We Use Your Information
To Deliver Our Services
- Send ActiveLessons.com newsletters
- Create and deliver NarrativeSTUDIO content
- Process payments for subscription services
- Respond to your questions and support requests
- Conduct Planning and Strategy Calls
- Deliver work product through our file transfer system
To Improve Our Services
- Understand which content and topics interest our audience
- Optimize content quality and delivery
- Test new features and service offerings
- Analyze service usage patterns
To Communicate With You
- Send service-related updates and notifications
- Notify you of new features, services, or offerings
- Request feedback on your experience
- Provide project updates (NarrativeSTUDIO clients)
To Maintain Security and Comply with Law
- Protect against spam, fraud, and abuse
- Ensure the security of our systems
- Comply with legal obligations
- Enforce our Terms of Service
How We Share Your Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.
Service Providers
We share information with the following service providers who help us operate our business:
Kit (formerly ConvertKit)
- Purpose: Email newsletter delivery and management
- Data shared: Email address, name, subscription preferences, engagement metrics
- Location: United States
- Privacy Policy: https://kit.com/privacy
DigitalOcean Spaces
- Purpose: Secure file storage and delivery for NarrativeSTUDIO work product
- Data shared: Work product files, project materials you provide
- Location: United States
- Privacy Policy: https://www.digitalocean.com/legal/privacy-policy
Payment Processor
- Purpose: ACH payment processing for NarrativeSTUDIO subscriptions
- Data shared: Bank account information, billing address, payment amounts
- Location: United States
Analytics Services
- Purpose: Understand how visitors use our websites
- Data shared: Anonymous usage data, technical information
- We use privacy-focused analytics that minimize personal data collection
Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to:
- Protect our legal rights
- Enforce our Terms of Service
- Prevent fraud or security threats
- Protect the safety of our users or the public
Business Transfers
If UsefulWriter LLC is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change and any choices you may have regarding your information.
Your Rights and Choices
Right to Access
You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
Right to Correction
If your information is inaccurate or incomplete, you can request that we correct it.
Right to Deletion
You can request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions (such as information we must retain for tax or legal purposes).
Right to Unsubscribe
You can unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time by:
- Clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any email
- Contacting us at hello@usefulwriter.com
Note: Unsubscribing from marketing emails does not unsubscribe you from transactional communications related to active NarrativeSTUDIO subscriptions (such as payment confirmations and delivery notifications).
Right to Object
You can object to certain processing of your information, such as marketing communications.
Right to Data Portability
You can request a copy of your information in a structured, commonly used format.
GDPR Rights (European Economic Area Residents)
If you are located in the EEA, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):
- Right to restrict processing
- Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
- Right to withdraw consent at any time
Note: Our services are intended for users in the United States. If you are located outside the United States, please be aware that your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States.
How We Protect Your Information
We implement reasonable security measures to protect your personal information, including:
- Encryption of data in transit using SSL/TLS
- Secure file transfer via encrypted cloud storage (DigitalOcean Spaces with CDN)
- Access controls limiting data access to authorized personnel only
- Secure payment processing through PCI-compliant payment processors
- Regular security assessments and system updates
However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Data Retention
ActiveLessons.com Subscribers
We retain your information for as long as you maintain an active subscription. When you unsubscribe, we will delete or anonymize your information within 30 days, except for information we are legally required to retain.
NarrativeSTUDIO Clients
We retain your business and project information for:
- Active subscriptions: Throughout the duration of your subscription
- After subscription ends: For a reasonable period to allow for reactivation and to comply with legal and tax obligations (typically 7 years for financial records)
- Project materials: Deleted within 90 days after subscription ends, unless you request earlier deletion or extended retention
General Website Visitors
Analytics data is retained in anonymized form and cannot be used to identify you.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help us remember your preferences and understand how you use our sites.
How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for:
- Essential functions (keeping you logged in, remembering preferences)
- Analytics (understanding how visitors use our websites)
- Performance (loading pages faster, improving user experience)
Your Cookie Choices
Most browsers allow you to:
- View and delete cookies
- Block cookies from specific websites
- Block all cookies (note: this may affect website functionality)
You can learn more about managing cookies at www.allaboutcookies.org.
Third-Party Links
Our websites may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
Children's Privacy
Our services have the following age requirements:
- ActiveLessons.com: Users must be at least 13 years old
- NarrativeSTUDIO: Users must be at least 18 years old
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will promptly delete it. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.
International Data Transfers
Our services are intended for users in the United States. Your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country.
By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States. We take reasonable steps to ensure your information is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
California Privacy Rights
If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):
Right to Know
You can request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect, the sources of that information, and how we use it.
Right to Delete
You can request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
Right to Opt-Out
You can opt-out of the sale of your personal information. Note: We do not sell personal information.
Right to Non-Discrimination
We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.
Categories of Information We Collect
In the past 12 months, we may have collected the following categories of personal information:
- Identifiers (name, email address, IP address)
- Commercial information (services purchased, payment history)
- Internet activity (website usage, email engagement)
- Professional information (business name, job title—for NarrativeSTUDIO clients)
To exercise your California privacy rights, contact us at hello@usefulwriter.com.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make changes:
- We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this document
- We will post the updated policy on our websites
- For material changes, we will notify you via email
We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
How to Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information:
Email: hello@usefulwriter.com
Mail:
UsefulWriter LLC
ATTN: Privacy
435 Merchant Walk Square, Ste 300 - 595
Charlottesville, VA 22902
United States
Phone: 434.263.9160
We will respond to your request within 30 days (or sooner if required by applicable law).
Your Consent
By using any UsefulWriter LLC service and providing us with your information, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in this Privacy Policy.
If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our services or provide us with your personal information.
Summary (The Short Version)
This summary is for convenience only and does not replace the full Privacy Policy above.
What we collect:
ActiveLessons: Email address, name (optional), engagement data
NarrativeSTUDIO: Business contact info, billing details, project materials
How we use it:
To deliver our services, improve our content, communicate with you, and process payments.
Who we share it with:
Only service providers who help us operate (Kit for email, DigitalOcean for file delivery, payment processors). We never sell your information.
Your rights:
Access, correct, or delete your data. Unsubscribe from marketing emails anytime. Request a copy of your information.
How we protect it:
Encryption, secure file transfer, access controls, and regular security assessments.
Our promise:
We respect your privacy, protect your information, are transparent about our practices, and never sell your data.