Writing your book uses real resources the moment you start, so our refunds are simple: if you haven't used what you paid for, you can have your money back. This policy is part of our Terms of Service.
1. The short version
- Haven't used it? Full refund within 14 days of paying.
- Already used it? No refund, but you can cancel any time and keep your plan until the end of the period you paid for.
- Charged by mistake or twice? Always refunded in full.
- Bought in our iPhone or Android app? Apple or Google handles the refund (see section 6).
2. What counts as “using it”
Since your last payment, you've used a paid plan or add-on if any of these happened:
- a chapter was written or rewritten for you (beyond the free first chapter);
- you downloaded a PDF, Word or ebook file, or ordered printed copies;
- an ISBN was assigned to one of your editions;
- a manuscript was uploaded with a manuscript pack;
- our team started work on your website.
Setting up a book, answering questions and reading your free first chapter don't count.
3. Plans (Author and Bestseller)
- First payment: full refund if you ask within 14 days and haven't used the plan.
- Renewals (monthly or yearly): full refund if you ask within 7 days of the renewal and haven't used the plan since it renewed. We send a reminder before a yearly plan renews.
- After you've used the plan: no refund or partial refund, including for unused months of a yearly plan. Cancel any time to stop the next renewal; your books stay saved.
- Switching plans: upgrades and downgrades are prorated automatically, so you only pay for the time on each plan.
4. ISBNs, manuscript packs and websites
- ISBNs ($39 each): refundable until the ISBN is assigned to your book. Once assigned, an ISBN is permanently registered and can't be reused, so it can't be refunded.
- Manuscript packs: unused uploads can be refunded within 30 days of purchase. Uploads you've used can't be.
- Website design: full refund until our team starts work. Once work has started, design fees aren't refundable, but we'll keep revising until it's right as described in your package.
5. Printed copies
Books are printed on demand just for you, so we can't take back copies you've changed your mind about. If a copy arrives damaged, misprinted or defective, tell us within 30 days with a photo and we'll reprint it or refund it, whichever you prefer.
6. Purchases made through Apple or Google
If you bought a plan or add-on inside our iPhone, iPad or Android app, the store handled the payment, so the store handles refunds:
- Apple App Store: request a refund at reportaproblem.apple.com. Apple decides these requests; we can't issue or block refunds for App Store purchases.
- Google Play: within 48 hours of buying you can request a refund directly in Google Play. After that, contact us and we'll apply this policy and refund through Google Play where it qualifies.
Subscriptions bought in the apps renew automatically until you cancel them in your device's subscription settings, at least 24 hours before the renewal date.
7. How to cancel
- Bought on our website: go to Account → Plan & billing → Manage billing and choose Cancel. It takes effect at the end of the period you've paid for.
- iPhone or iPad: Settings → your name → Subscriptions → Author Out Loud.
- Android: Google Play → Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions → Author Out Loud.
Cancelling never deletes your books. You can still sign in and read them, and pick up where you left off if you come back.
8. How to ask for a refund
Send us a note from the contact page (choose “Billing”) with the email on your account. We reply within two business days. Approved refunds go back to your original payment method and usually show up within 5 to 10 business days.
9. Your legal rights
Nothing in this policy limits rights you have under the law where you live. If you're in the UK or European Union, you have 14 days to cancel a purchase of digital services. When you ask us to start writing or processing your book within those 14 days, you agree that the service begins straight away, and that the right to cancel ends once it has been fully provided (or, where the law allows, that you pay for what was used).