Terms of Service

1. About these terms

By using our website, requesting a quote, or engaging us for services, you agree to these terms. If you don't agree, please don't use the site or buy the services.

We may update these terms from time to time. Material changes will be flagged at the top of this page with a new updated date.

2. The services we provide

Penman Books offers self-publishing services including editing, cover design, interior formatting, ISBN registration, distribution setup and marketing services. The specific deliverables for your project are defined in the quote and service agreement you sign before work begins.

Indicative timelines on the website are typical — the actual timeline for your project is agreed in writing once your manuscript is received.

3. Intellectual property

You retain full copyright in your manuscript at all times. You also receive the rights to the cover artwork and the interior formatting we produce, once your final payment has cleared.

We may showcase finished books — cover artwork, your name, your book title — on our website, bookshop, social media and in marketing materials. If you'd prefer we don't, tell us in writing before the project ends and we'll remove your work from our public-facing channels.

4. Payments

Payments are invoiced in INR (or USD by arrangement) via Razorpay, UPI, NEFT or international card. Invoices are typically structured as a deposit on signing and the balance on delivery, or in two milestone payments for larger projects.

Late payments may pause work and incur a 2% per month interest charge after 14 days overdue.

5. Refunds

Refunds are governed by our refund policy at /refunds. In summary: work that has not started is fully refundable; work in progress is refundable for the unstarted portion; completed deliverables are not refundable but covered by our guarantee at /guarantee.

6. Confidentiality

Your manuscript is confidential. Our team, freelancers and contractors are all bound by NDA to keep it that way. We use the manuscript only to deliver the services you've contracted us for.

7. Limitation of liability

Our liability for any claim arising from the services is limited to the fees paid for those services. We are not liable for indirect or consequential losses such as lost royalties or anticipated profits.

8. Governing law

These terms are governed by Indian law. Any disputes that can't be resolved by reasonable conversation will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in New Delhi.

9. Contact

For anything to do with these terms, write to info@penmanbooks.com.