VerseVarmint

Privacy Policy

VerseVarmint is as transparent a varmint as one can hope to find. We are driven by passion and a desire to help the struggling writers of the world. We sat down to draft a complicated and comprehensive privacy policy, but the sweat and growing pit in our stomach made it hard to type. We promptly backed away from the computer, took a deep breath, pet a cat or two, and returned to offer up this instead.

VerseVarmint’s Privacy Policy (a work in progress)

  • VerseVarmint: a Literary Zine/ VerseVarmint/versevarmint.com/we/us/our
  • User(s)/subscriber(s)/writer(s)/creator(s)/individual(s)/ human being(s) ending up on our site/varmint(s)/visitor(s)/person(s)

Interactions with versevarmint.com may result in the collection and storage of data. Our site is built using WordPress products and utilizes WordPress’ web hosting services. We suggest that individuals also review WordPress’ Privacy Policy to gain a better understanding of how data is collected, stored, shared, and used in general.

On our end, any personal information, data, or other methods of identifying and/or tracking human beings these days (2025 and beyond) shall only be used for:

  • Publishing work submitted voluntarily by individuals
  • Including pertinent and approved biographical information about writers whose work is accepted for publication.
  • Contacting individuals regarding zine-related business, including but not limited to:
    • Subscriptions/unsubscribing
    • Approval for publication
    • Message of declination (we hope these are few and far between)
    • Responses to comments, inquiries, and/or messages
    • Reviewing statistical information pertaining to, but not limited to:
      • Site/page views, interactions, subscribers, likes
      • Broad geographical information about visitors to VerseVarmint.com
      • Referrers (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, Threads, etc.)

As indicated previously, versevarmint.com can view statistical information provided on the WordPress site dashboard, regarding but not limited to:

  • Views, interactions, clicks, comments, likes
    • Broad geographical information
    • Username
    • Referrer

Such statistical data is used solely by versevarmint.com/VerseVarmint: a Literary Zine to gauge the success of the website.

Regarding Sensitive Personal Information

Writers often produce material that contains inherently personal information. Such might include, but is not limited to:

  • Gender
  • Sexual orientation
  • Age
  • Race, ethnicity, culture
  • Medical history
  • Geographical information

These or any other sensitive personal information divulged in submissions to versevarmint.com or VerseVarmint: a Literary Zine shall only be shared/divulged as a result of publication with permission by the original creator. Creators consent to such sharing upon submitting work to us and/or agreeing to publication upon acceptance of work by us. Creators may withdraw consent and materials at any time.  

Any further collection of sensitive personal data is unintentional on the part of VerseVarmint. Furthermore, except as previously specified, we will never knowingly share, disclose, or sell your information. We urge caution and the practice of safe internet habits.    

Again, we ask that you also review WordPress.com’s Privacy Policy here.

Other possible collectors/trackers of data:

  • We use a Gmail account to receive submissions – Google has its own Privacy Policy
    • We do not currently use Google products/programs to view analytical data
    • Gmail addresses and other information may be shared
  • We ask for submission files
  • Social media links/plugins on versevarmint.com
  • Affiliate links/transfers
    • We support bookshop.org (indieboundbooks)
      • Bookshop.org/shop/versevarmint
      • Dashboard displays analytical information about referred purchasers

Deletion of Subscriptions/Stored Information

Anyone subscribing to versevarmint.com may request that we delete stored information/subscriptions by contacting us at versevarmint.com. This can be done on our contact page (conVerse With Us) or by emailing us at v.varmint.litzine@gmail.com. We will accommodate such requests to the best of our ability.

International Policies

We welcome and encourage our global varmints! VerseVarmint is aware that some countries outside the United States require specific privacy policies. We are reviewing our compliance with such privacy policies and plan to revisit this portion over the coming weeks.

As well as adding some bits about a few states in the US. California, for one.

Minors

We prefer to accept submissions and communications from individuals 18+.

Minors between the ages of 13 and 17 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to submit content to VerseVarmint: a Literary Zine or versevarmint.com. Limited biographical information is advised. We will not include profile pictures of individuals 17 and under.  

Terms and Conditions

  1. Any non-WordPress provided content on VerseVarmint.com or associated with VerseVarmint: a Literary Zine is the product and property of K. Mikolajek (Kristen Mikolajek) unless otherwise credited.
  2. Please do not copy or reproduce any written content (i.e., poetry, short stories, prose, essays, blog posts, etc.) or graphics (i.e., artwork, photographs, etc) without the permission of the original creator.
  3. Writers or content creators who contribute to VerseVarmint: a Literary Zine will be credited as the original creators and maintain full ownership of said materials. Individuals may request that their contributions be removed at any time.
  4. Writers or content creators who contribute to VerseVarmint: a Literary Zine/versevarmint.com consent to our use of their work as agreed upon by all parties.
  5. Please respectfully interact with others. We reserve the right to delete inappropriate comments and/or terminate subscriptions.
  6. Submission guidelines found here inform on the overall expectations we have of visitors to versevarmint.com and those submitting to VerseVarmint: a Literary Zine
  7. We will never contact any visitors/human beings unless requested or in response to a visitor-initiated interaction related to the zine/website business.

Payment/Monetization

  1. As of 7/18/2025, veresvarmint.com does not have a paid subscription option. We will update this section upon implementation.
  2. We offer links to affiliate sites such as bookshop.org
    1. We make a 10% (flat) commission from books purchased using our affiliate link
    1. 10% goes to support independent bookstores

Cookies Policy

Cookies?! We love cookies! But not these. Nope. They are an unfortunate but inescapable facet of the webby world. Here’s what we can tell you:

  • Versevarmint.com is a WordPress site. It uses cookies.
    • Analytics cookies
      • How you spend your time here
    • Authentication cookies
      • admin stuff
    • Commenter cookies
      • stores info so you don’t need to keep typing it every time you visit
    • Preference cookies
      • settings, how you want things to look each time you visit
    • Third-party cookies
      • social media links and the like

You can absolutely manage and even delete cookies! There are a few different ways:

  •  Coming soon!