Wendy & Words respects the privacy, confidentiality and intellectual property of clients and website visitors. This policy explains how I handle personal information, manuscripts and other client material, including my use of professional editorial software and AI-assisted tools.

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Client confidentiality

​Client confidentiality is an important part of my editorial practice.

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Manuscripts, correspondence and other unpublished material provided to Wendy & Words are treated as confidential and are used only for purposes connected with providing the requested editorial services.

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I do not publish, distribute sell or otherwise disclose client manuscripts or confidential information to other people or organisations except where:

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• this is necessary for the operation of professional services or software I use in providing my editorial services

• clients have authorised the disclosure

• disclosure is required or authorised by law.

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Where third-party professional services or software are used, I take reasonable steps to select and use services with privacy, security and data-handling arrangements appropriate for confidential client material.

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I am also happy to consider signing a client's non-disclosure agreement where appropriate.

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Ownership of your work

You retain ownership, copyright and intellectual property rights in your manuscript and other original material you provide to me. Using Wendy & Words' editorial services does not transfer ownership of your work to me.

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How I collect and use personal information

I may collect personal information when you contact me through my website, communicate with me by email, request a quotation or engage my editorial services.

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This may include:

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• your name and contact details

• your business or organisation details, where relevant

• information about your manuscript or project

• manuscripts and other documents you provide for editorial work

• information reasonably required to quote for, administer and provide my services.

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I use this information for purposes connected with responding to enquiries, preparing quotations, providing editorial services, communicating with clients, invoicing and administering my business.

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Storage and protection of information

I take reasonable steps to protect personal information and client material from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

 

Some information and documents may be stored or processed using reputable third-party technology and cloud services that support my business and editorial work.

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Personal and business records may also be retained where reasonably necessary for administrative, taxation, legal or professional record-keeping purposes.

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Sensitive material

Some manuscripts contain highly personal or sensitive information, including information relating to health, relationships, religious or philosophical beliefs, legal matters or other private experiences. If your manuscript contains information requiring particular confidentiality or care in its handling, please let me know before providing it so that we can discuss any appropriate handling requirements.

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Editorial software and AI-assisted tools

Your manuscript is edited by me—not by AI.

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I personally read, assess and edit every manuscript I work on and apply my own professional editorial judgement throughout the process. I also use professional digital tools to support my editorial work. These may include established editorial software such as PerfectIt and, where useful, AI-assisted editorial tools.

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AI-assisted tools may help me with tasks such as identifying patterns, themes, repetition and inconsistencies; comparing sections of a manuscript; examining relationships between chapters or ideas; supporting broad structural or whole-manuscript analysis; and exploring possible approaches to clarity, flow or wording.

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AI supports and supplements my own analysis; it does not replace it. I independently consider its observations and suggestions and decide whether they are accurate, useful and appropriate for your manuscript. I remain responsible for the editorial advice, recommendations and changes I provide.

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I do not use AI to generate substantial new manuscript content on a client's behalf without discussing and agreeing this with the client.

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Privacy when using AI-assisted tools

I use AI-assisted tools selectively and with consideration for client confidentiality.

 

I take reasonable steps to use services whose privacy, security and data-handling arrangements I consider appropriate for confidential editorial work. I also use available privacy and data-protection settings designed to prevent client material from being used to train publicly available AI models.

 

I do not knowingly submit client manuscripts for public display or for the purpose of training publicly available AI models.

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Website enquiries and third-party services

​My website and business may use third-party services to provide functions such as contact forms, website hosting, email, file storage and other business services.

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Information submitted through these services may be processed by the relevant service provider in accordance with its own privacy and data-handling practices.

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Access, correction and questions

If you would like to ask how your personal information or manuscript material is being handled, or would like to request access to or correction of personal information I hold about you, please contact me.

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If you have any questions about this Privacy, Confidentiality & AI Policy, please contact Wendy Stuart, Wendy & Words. wendyandwords@gmail.com

 

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