The rules of the road, in plain language.

Using Folio Authors

Folio Authors is publishing software for authors. It brings manuscript assessment, editing, formatting, cover design, publishing, audiobooks and marketing into one place, with human experts available whenever you want one. By creating an account or using Folio Authors, you agree to these terms.

You choose the services you need and move at your own pace. Nothing is required, and nothing starts until you confirm it.

Your account

• You sign up with your name, email address, phone number and country, or continue with Google.
• Your country sets your billing currency automatically.
• Keep your login details safe. You're responsible for activity on your account.
• Choose your plan while you set up your account. It can't be changed later from inside the app.

Your book & your rights

• You confirm the manuscript is your own work, or that you have the right to submit it.
• You're responsible for quotes, images, lyrics and other third-party material, and for getting any permissions needed.
• You're responsible for the facts in your book.
• Text suggested by our software or a human editor and accepted by you becomes part of your work. Human editors work on a work-for-hire basis and keep no rights in your book.

What the tools can and can't do

• You decide every change. Suggestions appear with a reason, and you can accept, reject or edit each one, with full undo.
• Software is not a human editor. Automated suggestions are not a person's judgment. Choose a human expert for that.
• Fact-checking flags, it doesn't guarantee. We point out claims, dates and details worth verifying. You confirm them before you publish.
• Assessments are guidance. A score or report helps you see where your manuscript stands. It isn't a promise about how your book will sell or be received.

Plans, pricing & refunds

Our order process is conducted by our online reseller Paddle.com. Paddle.com is the Merchant of Record for all our orders. Paddle provides all customer service inquiries and handles returns.

Pricing is per book, not per month, and there are no subscriptions. The price of anything you buy is shown and confirmed before work starts.

Refunds & cancellation

• Software purchases (including the Standard plan and tool credit packs) follow our Refund Policy: full refund within 30 days of purchase, no questions asked.
• For human services (such as editing services): cancel before work starts and you get a full refund.
• If you cancel partway through a human service, you pay only for the work already done.
• If something goes wrong on our side with a human service, such as an editor who can't finish, we'll redo the work or refund the affected portion.

Acceptable use

We work on fiction and non-fiction of all genres, including difficult themes that serve the story. We may decline manuscripts that promote violence against people, sexually exploit minors, or are plagiarized, unlawful or fraudulent. If we decline, we'll tell you why, and you won't be charged for work we didn't do.

• Don't upload work you have no right to submit.
• Don't attempt to disrupt or gain unauthorized access to Folio Authors or other people's accounts.

SMS & mobile communications

When you provide your mobile phone number to Folio Authors (during signup, onboarding, or when requesting an editorial consultation or support), you consent to receive informational and transactional SMS/text messages from us. These communications include account verification codes, booking confirmations, appointment reminders for editorial consultation calls, project status updates, and customer support responses.

• Message frequency: Message frequency varies depending on your account activity, consultation bookings, and project milestones.
• Message & data rates: Standard message and data rates may apply as determined by your mobile carrier plan.
• How to opt out: You may cancel or opt out of SMS messaging at any time by replying STOP to any text message received from us. After sending STOP, you will receive an SMS confirmation that you have been unsubscribed, and no further text messages will be sent to your number unless you re-enroll.
• Customer support & assistance: For help or questions regarding SMS messages, reply HELP to any message, email us at support@folioauthors.com, or call us directly at (408) 508-6903.
• Carrier liability: Wireless mobile carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

What we collect

How we use it

• To create and run your account, and to sign you in.
• To deliver the services you request, and to bill you for them in your currency.
• To show your progress and keep your manuscripts organized.
• To contact you about your account, quotes, editorial consultations, and projects.
• To send requested SMS notifications, verification codes, and appointment updates.

Your manuscript

• Your manuscript is used only to deliver the services you requested.
• It's never published, shared or sold.
• Human editors are bound by confidentiality and see only what they need to work on your book.
• Your original upload is always kept so you can return to it.

Security

Uploads are encrypted and stored securely, and access to your account is protected by your login. No system is perfectly secure, so please use a strong, unique password.

Your choices

• SMS opt-out. You can cancel SMS messages at any time by replying STOP to any text message, or by contacting customer support. Reply HELP for assistance, email support@folioauthors.com, or call us at (408) 508-6903.
• Delete your work. Ask us to delete your manuscript and its edits at any time.
• Keep it yours. Your rights to your book never change, whatever you decide about your data.
• Ask us anything. If you'd like to know what we hold about you, or want something corrected, reach out through the site or call us at (408) 508-6903.