Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 2, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how information is collected, used, stored, and protected when you visit the official website for Elena Chaikin and Devils in the Windy City or join the Oldblood Archive mailing list.

Who We Are

This is the official website of author Elena Chaikin and Devils in the Windy City. The website address is https://devilsinthewindycity.com.

Information We Collect

We collect personal information when you voluntarily submit it through a form on this website.

When you join the Oldblood Archive mailing list, we collect:

• Your first name, if you choose to provide it
• Your email address
• Your consent to receive email updates
• The date and time of your form submission

Providing a first name is optional. A valid email address and affirmative consent are required to join the mailing list.

How We Use Your Information

Information submitted through the mailing-list form is used to send occasional emails about Devils in the Windy City, including publication news, previews, release updates, and important announcements from Elena Chaikin.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We do not use your mailing-list information for unrelated advertising.

Mailing-List Consent

You will be added to the mailing list only after actively selecting the consent checkbox and submitting the form.

You may withdraw your consent at any time by using an unsubscribe option included in an email or by contacting elenachaikin24@gmail.com.

Because a separate email-delivery platform has not yet been selected, subscribers may also contact Elena Chaikin directly to request removal from the mailing list.

Gravity Forms

This website uses Gravity Forms to collect mailing-list submissions. Information entered into the form is stored within this website’s WordPress database and may be accessed by the website administrator.

The mailing-list form is configured to prevent Gravity Forms from storing the submitter’s IP address. Name, email, and consent information are included in the website’s personal-data export and erasure tools.

Gravity Forms currently collects and stores subscriber information but is not being used with a separate email-marketing or newsletter-delivery platform. If another service is added in the future, this Privacy Policy will be updated to identify that provider and explain how subscriber information is handled.

How Long We Retain Your Information

Gravity Forms entries are scheduled to be deleted automatically after 730 days. Entries may remain in the system briefly beyond that period while the website completes its scheduled deletion process.

Limited records may be retained when reasonably necessary to document consent, honor an unsubscribe request, prevent abuse, resolve a dispute, maintain security, or comply with a legal obligation.

Cookies and Technical Information

This website may use cookies or similar technologies that are necessary for security, site operation, form submission, administrative functions, and visitor preferences.

The website’s hosting provider, security tools, anti-spam services, or other technical services may process information such as your IP address, browser type, device information, referring page, and activity timestamps as needed to operate and protect the website.

Embedded Content and External Websites

This website may contain embedded videos, images, social-media links, or other content provided by external websites. Embedded content behaves in the same way as if you visited the external website directly.

Those websites may collect information about you, use cookies, or monitor your interaction with their content according to their own privacy policies. This website is not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites.

Service Providers and Data Sharing

This website uses Gravity Forms to collect mailing-list submissions. Personal information may also be processed by service providers used to host and operate the website, maintain security, prevent spam, or support essential website functions. These providers receive information only as needed to perform their services.

We do not sell or rent personal information to third parties.

Information may be disclosed when required by law, in response to a valid legal request, or when reasonably necessary to protect the rights, safety, and security of the website, its owner, or its visitors.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to request access to, correction of, export of, or deletion of personal information held about you. You may also withdraw your consent to receive email.

To submit a privacy request, email elenachaikin24@gmail.com. Please provide the email address used to join the mailing list so the relevant information can be located. Additional verification may be requested before a request is completed.

Certain information may be retained when necessary for administrative, legal, security, fraud-prevention, or recordkeeping purposes.

Data Security

Reasonable administrative and technical measures are used to protect submitted information. However, no website, database, or method of electronic transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Children’s Privacy

This website and its mailing list are not directed to children under the age of 13. Personal information from children under 13 is not knowingly collected. If such information is discovered, it will be deleted.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated when the website, mailing-list practices, plugins, or service providers change. The date at the top of this page will be revised when material changes are made.

Contact

Questions or requests concerning this Privacy Policy may be sent to elenachaikin24@gmail.com.