Open Studio Works is an independent publishing brand operated by Mike Zaengle, based in Sacramento, California. If you have any questions about this policy or your data, contact us at mike@openstudioworks.com.

When you join the waitlist: We collect your email address. That's it.

When you make a purchase: We collect your name, email address, and shipping address to fulfill your order. Payment is processed by Stripe — we never see or store your credit card number, expiration date, or CVV. Stripe handles all of that directly.

Automatically, when you visit the site: Like all websites, openstudioworks.com collects standard technical information when you visit — including your IP address, browser type, device type, pages visited, and time spent on the site. This is collected by Squarespace, the platform this site is built on, and is used for analytics purposes. We use this data in aggregate to understand how people find and use the site.

Cookies: This site uses cookies — small text files stored on your device — to support site functionality and analytics. Squarespace sets these automatically. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some site features may not work as expected if you do.

Waitlist email: We use it for one purpose — to notify you when Open Studio is available for purchase. You will receive one email. You will not be added to a marketing list or receive ongoing communications unless you explicitly opt in at a later date.

Purchase information: We use your name, email, and shipping address to process your order, fulfill it through our print and fulfillment partner, and communicate with you about your purchase if needed.

Analytics data: We use aggregate, anonymized data to understand site performance and improve the experience for visitors. We do not use this data to identify individual visitors.

We do not sell your data. We do not rent your data. We share it only with the services required to run this site and fulfill your order.

Our print and fulfillment partner: When you place an order, your name and shipping address are passed to our fulfillment partner so they can print and ship your book directly to you. They do not receive your payment information and do not use your data for any purpose other than fulfilling your order.

Stripe: Processes payment for purchases. Your payment information goes directly to Stripe and is governed by their privacy policy. We never handle or store your card details.

Kit (ConvertKit): Manages our email list. Your email address is stored in Kit when you join the waitlist or subscribe to updates. Kit's privacy policy applies to how they store and process that data.

Squarespace: Hosts this website and collects standard analytics data. Squarespace's privacy policy governs how they handle that data.

All third-party services we use are required to handle your data securely and in compliance with applicable privacy laws.

Waitlist emails: We retain your email address until you ask to be removed or until the list is no longer in use.

Purchase data: We retain your name, email, and order details for as long as necessary to fulfill the order and comply with legal obligations (typically seven years for financial records under US law).

Analytics data: Retained by Squarespace per their data retention policies.

If you are a California resident (CCPA): You have the right to know what personal information we collect and how we use it. You have the right to request deletion of your personal information. You have the right to opt out of the sale of your personal information — though we do not sell personal information. To exercise any of these rights, contact mike@openstudioworks.com.

If you are located in the European Economic Area (GDPR): You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data. You have the right to restrict or object to processing. You have the right to data portability. Our legal basis for processing your data is either your consent (for the waitlist) or the performance of a contract (for purchases). To exercise your rights, contact mike@openstudioworks.com. If you are unsatisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

We take reasonable steps to protect your information. Payment data is handled entirely by Stripe and never passes through our systems. Email addresses are stored in Kit, which uses industry-standard security practices. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security — but we use the tools available to minimize risk.

This site is not directed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us at mike@openstudioworks.com and we will delete it.

This site may contain links to other websites — including mikezaengle.com. This Privacy Policy applies only to openstudioworks.com. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of other sites.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date at the top. We will not retroactively reduce your rights under this policy without your explicit consent.

Questions, requests, or concerns about your privacy? Email mike@openstudioworks.com. We will respond within 5 business days.