Terms and Conditions

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Welcome to CANREADS! These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of our website, www.canreads.ca (“Site”), and the services provided by CANREADS (“we,” “us,” “our”). By accessing or using the Site or ordering services, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use our Site or services. 

2.1 Scope of Services

Visibility features (including Author & Book Spotlights), and related services (collectively, “Services”). Editorial reviews are written by experienced reviewers and published as editorial content; they are not promotional blurbs or guarantees of positive evaluations.

2.2 Editorial Independence

Editorial reviews are editorially independent and may include both strengths and constructive critique. Reviews are not pay-for-play and funding does not influence outcomes. Reviews are written by vetted reviewers who reflect relevant reader or industry experience. This ensures genuine feedback, not guaranteed praise. (See FAQ for details.)

2.3 Fees

You agree to pay all applicable fees for services ordered through the Site. Fees are non-refundable except as provided in these Terms.

2.4 Submission Requirements

By submitting a book for review, awards, or promotional features, you agree to provide all necessary materials and accurate information as requested by CANREADS. 

2.5 Book Delivery

To ensure each book is matched with the most suitable reviewer, CANREADS may adjust fulfillment format or delivery logistics as needed, while maintaining the full scope of review and evaluation services. 

Where the Author elects to fund physical review copies (including Amazon orders or shipping), such fees are allocated toward reviewer access, distribution, and fulfillment at CANREADS’ sole discretion. CANREADS does not guarantee that physical copies will be ordered or distributed in all cases. Digital formats may be used where appropriate based on reviewer location, availability, and cost efficiency.

All funds allocated toward reviewer copies and distribution are non-refundable once review assignments have commenced, and any unused portion may be applied toward related review fulfillment costs, including (but not limited to) reviewer compensation, administrative handling, and platform operations.

2.6 AI-Generated Content

CANREADS does not accept books or manuscripts that have been generated, in whole or in substantial part, by artificial intelligence (“AI”) or generative AI tools. Limited use of AI-assisted tools for spelling or grammar is permitted, provided the submitted work is fundamentally written by the author.

By submitting a book or manuscript to CANREADS, you represent and confirm that the work complies with this requirement. CANREADS reserves the right to disqualify or decline any submission that it reasonably determines does not comply with this policy.

Submissions disqualified for violation of this policy are not eligible for a refund. Authors are responsible for ensuring their work meets CANREADS eligibility requirements before purchasing a service or submitting their book.

3.1 Standard Refund Policy

Refunds are governed by the following criteria:

• 100% refund if the request is made before the book is assigned to a reviewer.
• 50% refund if requested within two weeks of submission after assignment.
• No refunds after two weeks.
   

Disagreement with a review, critique, or evaluation does not qualify for a refund. Review publication may be cancelled upon refund request, but editorial work already completed is not refundable.

3.2 Submission Inactivity Policy

Clients are responsible for submitting all required manuscript files and materials within a reasonable timeframe following purchase.

In order to complete review and awards-related services, CANREADS may contact clients through the email address and/or contact methods provided at checkout, including follow-up reminders where applicable.

If required materials are not submitted and a client remains unresponsive for an extended period despite repeated contact attempts, CANREADS reserves the right to mark the order as fulfilled and close the submission administratively.

Due to reviewer allocation, scheduling, and administrative preparation associated with awards programming, orders become non-refundable once the submission deadline for the applicable awards season has passed.

3.3 AI-Generated Content: Notwithstanding the refund timelines above, submissions that are disqualified because they violate CANREADS' AI-Generated Content policy are not eligible for a refund, regardless of when the violation is identified. This includes submissions identified as ineligible after payment, assignment, or commencement of review or evaluation.
 

4.1 Independent Reviews

CANREADS Critical Reviews are independent editorial assessments intended to inform readers while providing authors with thoughtful, professional feedback. Reviews may contain both praise and constructive criticism.

Purchasing a review does not guarantee:

– a positive review;

– a recommendation;

– publication of favourable commentary;

– finalist status or recognition in the CANREADS Awards Program.

All opinions expressed within a review belong to the assigned reviewer.

4.2 Editorial Process

Before publication, every review is edited by the CANREADS editorial team.

Editorial revisions may include:

– grammar

– spelling

– clarity

– readability

– consistency

– formatting

– pull quote selection

– style consistency

Editors may revise wording where necessary while preserving the reviewer's intended meaning and overall assessment.

4.3 Review Revisions

Authors may contact CANREADS if they believe a review contains:

– a demonstrable factual inaccuracy;

– an incorrectly attributed quotation, event, or character;

– a significant misreading of the text;

– or wording introduced during the editorial process that materially changes the reviewer's intended meaning.

CANREADS will carefully investigate these concerns and make corrections where appropriate.

However, CANREADS will not revise reviews solely because an author:

– disagrees with the reviewer's opinion;

– wishes criticism to be removed or softened;

– prefers alternative wording;

– disagrees with literary interpretation;

– disagrees with commentary regarding pacing, characterization, dialogue, prose, themes, or structure.

Editorial opinions that are honestly held and reasonably supported by the submitted work will not be altered. Reviewer independence is fundamental to the integrity and credibility of CANREADS.

4.4 Publication

Unless otherwise requested before publication, CANREADS reviews may be published on the CANREADS website and promoted through CANREADS' marketing channels, including social media and newsletters.

Published reviews may remain publicly accessible indefinitely.

Award submissions are evaluated independently by qualified readers and judges.

Receiving a review does not influence judging decisions. Judging decisions are final.

Submission to the Awards Program does not guarantee finalist status, award recognition, publicity opportunities, or promotional features.

All content on the CANREADS website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, badges, reviews, images, and design elements, is the property of CANREADS or its licensors and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

The CANREADS name, logo, badges, stickers, seals, and other branding elements (collectively, the “CANREADS Marks”) are the exclusive property of CANREADS. Authors, publishers, and third parties may not reproduce, modify, distribute, or create derivative materials using the CANREADS Marks without prior written permission from CANREADS.

Official CANREADS stickers and branded materials must be purchased directly through CANREADS. Printing, producing, or distributing CANREADS-branded stickers or materials independently is not permitted.

Unauthorized use of the CANREADS Marks may result in removal of content, revocation of permissions, cancellation of services, or other remedies available under applicable law.

By submitting content, you represent that:

• You are the owner or authorized representative of the book submitted.
• You have the right to grant CANREADS permission to use submitted content for reviews and promotional features.
• Submitted content does not violate any laws or third-party rights.
   

The Site and Services are provided “as is” and “as available.” CANREADS makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of data, use, profits, revenues, or reputation. 

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless CANREADS, its officers, directors, employees and agents from any claims, damages, losses, costs, or expenses arising from your use of the Site or Services.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, without regard to conflict of law principles.

CANREADS may modify these Terms at any time. Updated Terms will be posted on the Site. Continued use of the Site constitutes acceptance of revised Terms. 

If you have questions about these Terms, contact info@canreads.ca.