The small print
Terms
The terms for reading the tales and using the site.
Last updated: [date Richard approves these]
About these terms
The Ashmarch is run by me, Richard A K Martin. By using the site or signing up, you agree to these terms. How I handle your personal data is in the privacy notice. Questions go totales@theashmarch.com.
Votes and dedications
There's no vote running at the moment. If I ever open one, its rules, including who can take part and how any readers named in a dedication are chosen, will be set out here before it starts.
The stories and the art
The tales, the novel extracts, the other writing and the illustrations on this site are © Richard A K Martin. You're welcome to read them here, listen to the audiobooks, and share links to any page. Please don't copy, republish, record or sell the stories, in whole or in part, without asking me first. Quoting a short passage in a review, with credit, is fine.
Jenna-Leigh Saelens's work is credited to her on the Author page. Please don't reuse the art without permission.
Commissioned tales
You can ask me to write you into a tale (see Commission a tale). These are the terms for that.
- An enquiry first. The form on that page only writes an email. Nothing is agreed until we've settled the length, the price and the details by email.
- Payment before writing. Once we've agreed, I'll send a payment link. I start writing when it's paid.
- Turnaround. The time I give you, usually one to two weeks, is an estimate, not a promise. If it's going to take longer, I'll tell you.
- The dedication. The tale is dedicated to you, using the name you give me. Please give a name you're happy to see published.
- Who owns what. If you order a cover, the cover is yours. I keep all the rights in the story, and I may publish it on this site and elsewhere, [including in printed or paid collections]. You're welcome to keep and share your copy for your own enjoyment.
- Covers. Jenna-Leigh Saelens designs covers and prices them separately. [Her terms for the cover are agreed with her directly.]
- What I won't write. I won't write about real people without their consent, and I won't write anything hateful. I may also decline any request, for any reason, before you've paid.
- Refunds. If you change your mind before I start writing, I'll refund you in full. Once I've started, I can't offer a refund, except where the law says I must. [Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 you may have 14 days to cancel a service bought online; to start within that time, I'll ask you to agree in writing that writing may begin, and that you lose the right to cancel once the tale is finished.]
The site itself
I do my best to keep the site up and accurate, but it is provided as it is, and tales and dates can change. Nothing in these terms limits any right you have by law.
These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales.
Changes
If these terms change, the new version goes up here with a new date at the top.