Terms & Conditions
Hello! It looks like you’re hanging out on our website, and possibly even doing some retreats or courses or other things we offer. (We = Writers’ HQ. That’s us. Hi ????).
We don’t want to be all authoritarian n shit but we do have to put some rule in place so things work smoothly – mostly they’re to protect you and so that you know what’s going on and what you can expect, but also they protect us from nefarious types who steal our content and are generally dicks (yes, we know what you’ve done. We see you ????)
First things first: by using our site you’re agreeing to these T&C. If you don’t like them, you can opt out by pressing the tiny little X at the top of your browser. Bye bye.
What has Writers’ HQ ever done for us?
Writers’ HQ runs writing retreats and creative writing courses, both online and in real life, in a variety of different formats.
When you take a course or do a retreat or any of our other things, you agree to everything in this doc. That’s a weird idea isn’t it coz it’s highly likely you haven’t read it. Anyway. The T&C 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 (courses and retreats and whatever) and if Something Happens we may swap one thing for another thing, but it will always be of equal value.
Using Writers' HQ
You will (please) be over 18 if you use our site. You will not be a child under 18. We swear a lot. Swearing is bad for children.
We do our best to make sure everything is right and accurate and error-free but we can’t guarantee it. While we’re sorry if we get things wrong, we totally disclaim any liability for wrongness related to our content. Please don’t blame us if you don’t get your story finished, published, or otherwise lauded. We can’t help that, yo!
Your account on Writers’ HQ
If you want to access the good stuff, you have to make an account. We have free and paid account options. You will (please) use accurate and legal information and don’t pretend to be someone you are not THANKS.
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.
You will also (please) be financially responsible. Don’t spunk money with us that you don’t have, and don’t spend other people’s money either.
The law and stealing our content!
Don’t break the law. Please. It could be awkward. Here are law breaking things you are agreeing NOT to do when you use Writers’ HQ and 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.
Refusal of service
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, homophobe, transphobe, racist or otherwise having terrible political opinions that ruin the mood for everyone
- 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 behave.
Confirmation of orders
When you order something, you’ll get an email confirming it. If you don’t, or there is an error in the email, you have to let us know asap. We cannot be responsible for problems if you don’t let us know.
Third party things
We use third party services to make everything run smoothly. Sometimes third party services fuck up. We’re sorry when that happens, but 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.
You will agree (please) that Writers’ HQ isn’t responsible for any third party supplier fuckery.
Free membership
Paid membership
Cancelling your membership
Go to the my account link on the top right of all pages. Select ‘my membership’. Then click ‘subscription’. Click ‘view’ next to the subscription you want to cancel, and press the big cancel button.
This will stop THE NEXT payment coming from your account. You will still have course access for the remaining duration of that 30 day cycle, so if you cancel your subscription 5 days into your 30 day subscription cycle, you will have course access for another 25 days and then nada. Blackness. Darkness. The cold abyss of the netherworld. Or at least that’s how it should work. If it doesn’t give us a yell on ye olde help@writershq.co.uk email address.
A super important point: we CANNOT offer partial refunds on subscriptions. This means if you cancel part way through the month, we cannot part refund that month. Soz McGoz
Product descriptions
We try to get things as right as possible 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.
Please note: we cannot and will not promise you specific successes such as getting published. We do what we can to help, but the outcome isn’t down to us.
Things you post to this site
Just as we ask you not to steal our content, please don’t steal other people’s content and post it here.
When you do post to the site you agree to these things:
- Not to be a dick, as outlined in the dickery rules in the Refusal of Service section and on the forums.
- To abide by our community standards, which can be found on our forums and social media groups.To be polite and civil to all community members and our moderator team
We can boot you out at any time should your behaviour become unpleasant, unmanageable, illegal, or risk the community safety and harmony of Writers’ HQ.
Intellectual property
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, we’ll message you and ask you. We will not assume we can use without first asking. Posting on our site grants Writers’ HQ 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.
However, some people ARE ARSEHOLES and they may try to steal your work from our platform. It’s highly unlikely and has literally never happened before. We will help you chase them down and shake angry fingers 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?
Cancelling or returning merchandise
If your merch is damaged, send us a photo of the damaged good and 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 dig out the Royal Mail sending number wotsit for you to chase them with.
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.
Changing terms and conditions
Limitation of liability
By using our services you’re agreeing that we’re not at fault for any damage or injury or failure of performance that might arise from you using our service. We can help you, but we cannot promise any specific results. You’re agreeing not to sue us for any real or spurious reasons. Seriously. Don’t pin your dreams on us. We can help, but we can’t guarantee anything!
Oooh legal schmegals
INDEMNIFICATION
You shall indemnify and hold us harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, settlements, liabilities, costs, charges, assessments, and expenses, as well as third party claims and causes of action, including, without limitation, attorney’s fees, arising out of any breach by you of any of these Terms and Conditions, or any use by you of the website or service. You shall provide us with such assistance, without charge, as we may request in connection with any such defence, including, without limitation, providing us with such information, documents, records, and reasonable access to you, as we deem necessary. You shall not settle any third party claim or waive any defence without our prior written consent.
EFFECT OF HEADINGS
The subject headings of the paragraphs and subparagraphs of this Agreement are included for convenience only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of any of its provisions.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT; WAIVER
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and Writers’ HQ Ltd pertaining to the Site and Service and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations, and understandings between us. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement by Writers’ HQ Ltd shall be deemed, or shall constitute, a waiver of any other provision, whether or not similar, nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver. No waiver shall be binding unless executed in writing by Writers’ HQ Ltd.
NOTICES
All notices, requests, demands, and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and properly addressed as follows:
Writers’ HQ Ltd
Oast Business Centre
North Frith Farm
Ashes Lane
Tonbridge
Kent
England
TN11 9QU
RECOVERY OF LITIGATION EXPENSES
If any legal action or any arbitration or other proceeding is brought for the enforcement of this Agreement, or because of an alleged dispute, breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of the provisions of this Agreement, the successful or prevailing party or parties shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney’s fees and other costs incurred in that action or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which it or they may be entitled.
SEVERABILITY
If any term, provision, covenant, or condition of this Agreement is held by an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the rest of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired, or invalidated.