The privacy policy and terms of service for bookmoth. Plain language where the law allows it.
Last updated: April 2026
Privacy Policy
Overview
bookmoth is a desktop application that runs on your own computer. There is no bookmoth account, no cloud sync, and no server-side storage of your work. Your projects, manuscripts, writing examples, and brief content live as files on your machine and nowhere else.
This policy explains the small amount of information that does leave your device, who it goes to, and why.
What we collect
We do not collect, store, or transmit your writing. We do not have analytics inside the app. We do not have user accounts.
The only personal information we hold is what you provide when you purchase a licence through LemonSqueezy, our payment processor. That includes your email address (so we can deliver your licence key) and the billing details you supply to LemonSqueezy directly. LemonSqueezy is the seller of record and handles all payment data under their own privacy policy.
Your API key
bookmoth uses a bring-your-own-key model. You supply your own Anthropic API key, which is stored locally on your machine, encrypted in your operating system's secure storage. We never see your key. Calls to the Anthropic API are made directly from your device to Anthropic's servers, not routed through us.
What gets sent to Anthropic
When you draft a chapter, generate a writing profile, ask the editor for feedback, or use any other AI feature, the relevant prose is sent to Anthropic's API for processing. This is governed by Anthropic's own privacy policy and data handling terms. We do not see, log, or retain any of this content.
Imported manuscripts
When you bring an existing manuscript into bookmoth using the import feature, the file is parsed locally on your device and stored as part of your project on your machine. The contents are sent to Anthropic's API for chapter summary generation and editorial features, in the same way any other prose in your project is. We never see, store, or transmit your manuscripts.
Licence validation
When you activate bookmoth, the app contacts LemonSqueezy's licence API to verify your key and register the device. This exchange includes your licence key and a generated machine identifier. No personal data and no project content is involved.
Updates
The app periodically checks a public file on bookmoth.app to see whether a newer version is available. This is a simple file fetch and includes no identifying information beyond standard request headers.
Cookies on bookmoth.app
The bookmoth website uses no tracking cookies. We do not run analytics, advertising pixels, or session tracking on the marketing site.
Contact
If you have questions about how bookmoth handles your data, email us.
Last updated: April 2026
Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions govern your use of bookmoth, a desktop application that helps novelists plan, draft, and develop their work in their own voice. bookmoth is operated by Stu McCardle as a sole trader, registered in England and Wales (referred to in these terms as "we", "us", "our"). For correspondence, including the trader's geographical address, please contact us.
By purchasing or using bookmoth, you agree to the terms below.
1. Licence
Upon purchase, you are granted a personal, non-transferable licence to install and use bookmoth on one device that you own. If you need to move your licence to a different device, for example after replacing your computer, you can deactivate it on the old device from within the app, or contact us for assistance. You may not resell, sublicense, or distribute the software.
2. Acceptable use
You agree to use bookmoth lawfully and in accordance with the terms of any third-party services it connects to, including the Anthropic API. You are responsible for the content you create with the app and for ensuring that your use of AI-generated material complies with applicable law and the policies of any platform where you publish it.
3. Refunds
bookmoth is a digital product and all sales are generally final once the download link has been delivered. We may, at our sole discretion, offer a refund in exceptional circumstances, such as where the software fails to function as described and we are unable to resolve the issue within a reasonable time. Refund requests should be sent to our support email with a clear explanation of the problem. We aim to respond within five working days. Approval is not guaranteed and is decided case by case.
This clause does not affect your statutory rights as a consumer under applicable law.
4. AI-generated content
bookmoth uses AI to assist with planning, drafting, editorial feedback, and revision. The AI is provided by Anthropic via their API, using your own API key. We do not control or guarantee the output of the AI, and you are solely responsible for reviewing, editing, and deciding how to use any text the app produces. AI-generated content may contain errors, inaccuracies, or material that does not reflect your intent, and should always be reviewed before publication or distribution.
5. Your work
You retain full ownership of everything you write in bookmoth, including any text generated with the assistance of the AI features, subject to Anthropic's own terms regarding the use of their API. We claim no rights over your manuscripts, briefs, writing examples, or any other content you create or import.
6. Disclaimer of warranties
bookmoth is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We do not warrant that the software will be uninterrupted, error-free, or compatible with every system configuration. You use the app at your own risk.
7. Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of bookmoth, including loss of data, loss of work, or loss of profit. Our total liability in connection with the software is limited to the amount you paid for your licence.
8. Third-party services
bookmoth relies on third-party services, principally Anthropic for AI processing and LemonSqueezy for payments and licence delivery. Your use of these services is governed by their own terms and policies. We are not responsible for outages, changes, or actions taken by these providers.
9. Changes to these terms
We may update these terms from time to time. Material changes will be reflected in the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of bookmoth after a change constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.
10. Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
11. Contact
For any questions about these terms, or to obtain the trader's geographical address for correspondence, please email us.