Privacy Policy
Dr Aimee Blackledge | Historical Fiction Consultant & Author
Last updated: March 2026
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1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy explains how I collect, use, and protect your personal data when you use this website or commission any of my consulting services. By providing me with your data, you confirm that you are over 13 years of age.
I am the data controller responsible for your personal data. My full contact details are:
• Name: Dr Aimee Blackledge
• Email: info@aimeeblackledge.com
• Address: Suite 121008, PO Box 6945, London, W1A 6US
Please let me know if your personal information changes at any time by emailing info@aimeeblackledge.com.
2. What Data I Collect, Why, and on What Grounds
Personal data means any information capable of identifying an individual. It does not include anonymised data. I may process the following categories of personal data about you:
Communication Data: Any communication you send me through the contact or enquiry forms on this website, by email, or through social media. I process this data to reply to your messages, keep records, and establish or defend legal claims. My lawful ground is legitimate interests.
Client & Transaction Data: Your name, email address, billing address, purchase details, and payment information when you commission a service. I process this data to deliver the service you have purchased and keep records of our transactions. My lawful ground is the performance of a contract between us.
Manuscript Data: The content of any manuscript or written work you share with me as part of a consulting service. I process this data solely to carry out the agreed service. I will never share your manuscript with any third party, submit it to AI software, or use it for any purpose other than fulfilling your commission. Your manuscript will be deleted once your project is complete and your debrief session has taken place.
Website Usage Data: Technical data about how you use this website, including your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and time spent on the site, collected via analytics tools such as Google Analytics. My lawful ground is legitimate interests, namely to maintain and improve this website.
Marketing Data: Your preferences regarding marketing communications and your newsletter subscription status. My lawful ground is your consent, which you can withdraw at any time.
I do not collect any sensitive personal data, including information about race or ethnicity, religious beliefs, health, or political opinions. I do not carry out automated decision-making or profiling.
3. How I Collect Your Data
I collect data in the following ways:
• Directly from you, when you complete a form on this website, send me an email, or commission a service.
• Automatically, through cookies and analytics tools as you browse this website. Please see my Cookie Policy for details.
• From third-party payment processors (Squarespace/Stripe) when you make a purchase.
4. Marketing Communications
I will only send you marketing communications if you have given your express consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the opt-out link in any marketing email or by emailing info@aimeeblackledge.com.
I will never sell, share, or transfer your personal data to any third party for their own marketing purposes.
5. Sharing Your Data
I may share your personal data with:
• Service providers who support the operation of this website and my business (such as Squarespace and Proton Drive), who are required to process your data only on my instructions and in accordance with the law.
• Professional advisers such as accountants or solicitors, where necessary.
• Government bodies where I am required by law to report processing activities.
Your personal data will never be sold or transferred to any third party for commercial purposes.
6. International Transfers
Some of my service providers are based outside the UK or EEA. Where I transfer your data internationally, I ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including standard contractual clauses approved by the relevant authorities or transfers to countries deemed adequate by the UK government.
7. Data Security
I take the security of your personal data seriously. Client files are stored and shared via Proton Drive, which uses end-to-end encryption. I use secure payment processing through Squarespace. Access to your personal data is limited to me personally and any essential service providers, who are bound by confidentiality obligations.
In the event of a personal data breach, I will notify you and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) as required by law.
8. Data Retention
I will only retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purpose for which it was collected. Client manuscript files are deleted once your project is complete and your debrief session has taken place. For legal and tax purposes, basic financial records are retained for seven years in accordance with HMRC requirements.
9. Your Rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:
• Request access to the personal data I hold about you.
• Request correction of any inaccurate data.
• Request erasure of your data in certain circumstances.
• Object to or request restriction of processing.
• Request transfer of your data to another party.
• Withdraw consent at any time, where processing is based on consent.
To exercise any of these rights, please email info@aimeeblackledge.com. I will respond within one month. There is no charge for reasonable requests.
If you are unhappy with how I handle your data, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk. I would be grateful if you would contact me first so I can try to resolve the matter.
10. Third-Party Links
This website may contain links to third-party websites. I am not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites and encourage you to read their privacy notices before providing any personal data.
11. Changes to This Policy
I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The current version will always be available on this website. I will notify you of any significant changes where I am required to do so by law.
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