Terms & Conditions

Writers’ HQ runs writing retreats, creative writing courses and workshops, both online and in real life, in a variety of different formats.

When you take a course or attend a retreat or take part in any of our other events, you’re agreeing to everything on this T&C page. That’s a weird idea isn’t it, ’cause it’s highly likely you haven’t even read it? Anyway. The T&Cs cover you, us, and all other people using our stuff and things.

So. You agree to this stuff, we agree to provide the service we’ve promised, we both agree not to be dicks about it. And if for some reason we need to make alterations to our offerings, we will always make sure any replacement is of equal value.

Writers’ HQ content is for users over the age of 18. We swear a lot. Even some adults get shocked about the swearing. We have been told it’s bad for children. So please ensure you are at least 18 years of age before you go clickin’.

We do our best to make sure everything is right and accurate and error-free on our website but we can’t guarantee it because, well, human error exists.

We also can’t guarantee that if you follow our courses and advice and guidelines to the letter you will magically get published and win all the prizes or even finish your damn story. We will do our best to help you and wave pom-poms along the way but, uh, we can’t be held accountable for your writing success, sorry.

If you want to access the good stuff, you have to register for a Writers’ HQ account. There are two tiers of membership: freebie and Gold Star. These offer a range of content according to your membership level.

When registering for an account, please use accurate and legally correct information and don’t pretend to be someone you are not. (We only do that in fiction)

You also need to be over 18. Please do not make an account with Writers’HQ if you are under 18. We cannot be responsible for everyone here and we want to keep you safe.

Please be financially responsible. Don’t spunk money with us that you don’t have, and don’t spend other people’s money either.

Hey. Don’t break the law. Please. It could get awkward. Here are law-breaking things you are agreeing NOT to do when you use Writers’ HQ and our associated materials:

• You won’t copy or re-use our materials for any purposes, especially not commercial ones (yes we see you content-thieves. The internet is not *that* big).
• You won’t post anything abusive, defamatory, threatening, libellous, invasive or otherwise objectionable.
• You won’t post anything or use our content for anything that would constitute a criminal offence or violates any laws.

Most importantly, just don’t nick our content. We work really bloody hard on this. Don’t be lazy. Get your own ideas. Also, you’re not as funny as we are. Sorry, but it’s true.

If you’re a dick, we can refuse you access to our services. Dickery includes but is not limited to:

• Stealing our content
• Suspicion that you are stealing our content
• Being rude to any of the wonderful people who run or work for Writers’ HQ, or any of our community
• Refusal to abide by the really very reasonable rules
• Being a fascist, bigot, or otherwise having terrible opinions that actively harm other people
• Not paying your fees or paying in an illegal manner

If necessary, we reserve the right to boot you out without notice and with immediate effect. So don’t be a dick.

We sometimes use third party services to make everything run smoothly. Sometimes third party services fuck up. We’re sorry when that happens but we cannot be held responsible for this and you agree that we’re not in breach of contract if it does. We will always try to get everything fixed as quickly as possible.

To access the majority of our courses and events, you will need to register as a Gold Star member. When you do this, you will have the choice of paying via a monthly subscription, a 3-month subscription, or an annual subscription.

A monthly subscription allows you access to all our lovely stuff for 30 days. We will automatically take payment at the end of the 30 days and renew your access. You can cancel any time you like via the ‘my account’ section. On cancelling, you will get access to the membership materials until the end of your billing period and your account will then revert to a free membership. You will not lose any of your information or progress in the ‘my account’ section.

A 3-month subscription will give you 90 days of full access, as above. It will also auto-renew after the subscription ends unless you change it or cancel.

An annual subscription will give you 365 days access and all the same rules apply as with a monthly or 3-month sub.

Writers’ HQ can change the content we offer, or close down our site entirely if necessary, but obviously we’re going to try very hard not to do that.

We try to describe things as accurately as possible (we’re writers, yo) but sometimes we get it wrong. We’ll update descriptions and prices as mistakes become clear or as updates become available. If we have to cancel an order as a result, we’ll get in touch with you and let you know what’s going on.

The stuff we post is OURS.

The stuff you post is YOURS.

No one will steal any content that belongs to anyone else.

If we love what you’ve posted and want to use it in some way, we’ll message you and ask your permission first. We will never assume we can use your words without consent. Posting on our site grants Writers’ HQ ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHTS AT ALL to use your content without your permission because we are NOT ARSEHOLES.

The exception is testimonials and reviews – if you post a testimonial or review, we will use it all over the place to show everyone how much you love us.

Similarly, if you want to use any of our content, please email us and ask for permission first.

It is worth noting that some people ARE ARSEHOLES and may try to steal your work from our platform. It’s highly unlikely and has literally never happened before. If it does, we will help you chase them down and yell at them, but we cannot be held legally responsible for the actions of someone else and you agree not to sue us our anything because that really isn’t our fault.

Very important bit that we cannot stress enough:

You may not modify, publish, transmit, participate in the transfer or sale of, create derivative works from, distribute, display, reproduce or perform, or in any way exploit in any format whatsoever any of Writers’ HQ content or intellectual property, in whole or in part, without our prior written consent.

If we catch you doing this, we’ll immediately boot you from the service with no refund and also publicly shame the fuck out of you because seriously what are you even doing?

If your merch is damaged, send us a photo of the damaged goods/packaging within 10 days of recieving it, and if we are at fault then we’ll replace the item.

If the item is lost, give us a shout on the same email address and we’ll do our best to track it down or replace it.

Unless the product is damaged we cannot accept a return. We love you and support you through all your life choices but we can’t be held responsible for your consumer errors. If you really don’t want the item you have ordered, give it to a writerly friend as a gift. They’ll love you forever.