Refund Policy

At 9th Colony Literary, we are committed to delivering high-quality publishing, editorial, branding, marketing, media, and distribution services in a timely and professional manner. Every project is individually tailored to each Author and involves the allocation of professional personnel, production resources, scheduling, and administrative support.

Because our services are customized and often begin immediately after an agreement is executed, the following Refund Policy governs all cancellations and refund requests.

1. Author Authorization to Begin Services

By signing the Service Agreement and submitting payment, the Author expressly authorizes 9th Colony Literary to commence work on the project immediately.

The Author understands and acknowledges that once professional services have begun, cancellation rights may be limited in accordance with this Refund Policy because of the commitment of company resources, personnel, scheduling, and production efforts.

Nothing in this policy is intended to exclude or restrict any refund or cancellation rights that cannot legally be excluded or restricted under applicable law.

2. Seven (7) Calendar Day Cancellation & Refund Window

Refund requests are eligible for consideration only if all of the following conditions are met:

  • The request is submitted in writing within seven (7) calendar days from the date the Service Agreement is fully executed by both parties.

  • No material performance of the contracted services has commenced.

  • No project resources have been substantially allocated to the Author's project.

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to 9th Colony Literary through the designated company email address.

3. Administrative Setup Fee

If a cancellation request is approved within the seven-day period and before any material professional services have commenced, 9th Colony Literary may deduct a USD $150 Administrative Setup Fee from the refundable amount.

This fee covers reasonable costs already incurred, including but not limited to:

  • Client onboarding

  • Project creation

  • Internal administration

  • Account provisioning

  • Scheduling

  • Initial consultation preparation

  • Internal project coordination

4. Commencement of Professional Services

Once 9th Colony Literary has materially commenced performance of the contracted services, fees relating to services already performed or substantially committed may become non-refundable, subject to applicable law.

Material performance includes, but is not limited to:

  • Project onboarding

  • Manuscript receipt or evaluation

  • Submission or review of author questionnaires

  • Editorial assessments

  • Publishing consultations

  • Strategic publishing recommendations

  • Marketing consultations

  • Book positioning analysis

  • Cover design concepts

  • Interior formatting

  • Metadata preparation

  • Copyright guidance

  • ISBN processing

  • Brand development

  • Website planning

  • Promotional planning

  • Book trailer preparation

  • Media planning

  • Publicity strategy

  • Scheduling of interviews or promotional appearances

  • Distribution preparation

  • Any custom creative, editorial, publishing, or consulting work performed on behalf of the Author

Because these services are individually customized and cannot generally be returned, transferred, or resold once performed, fees for completed professional services may be considered earned to the extent permitted by applicable law.

5. Customized Professional Services

9th Colony Literary provides customized professional publishing and consulting services rather than mass-produced consumer products.

Each project is uniquely developed for the individual Author and requires dedicated professional time, creative effort, and specialized expertise.

Accordingly, completed or substantially performed work generally cannot be returned, reused, or resold once produced.

6. Project Delays Caused by the Author

9th Colony Literary shall not be responsible for delays resulting from:

  • Failure to provide requested materials

  • Delayed manuscript submissions

  • Failure to respond to communications

  • Missed approval deadlines

  • Changes requested after work has commenced

  • Extended periods of inactivity by the Author

Such delays do not, by themselves, constitute grounds for cancellation or refund.

7. Continuation of Services

If a refund request is denied because services have commenced or because the applicable cancellation period has expired, the Author remains entitled to receive the contracted services under the Service Agreement.

9th Colony Literary will continue performing the agreed services unless both parties mutually agree in writing to terminate the agreement.

8. Project Documentation

To ensure quality, accountability, and accurate project management, 9th Colony Literary maintains detailed project records, including but not limited to:

  • Signed agreements

  • Payment confirmations

  • Email correspondence

  • Project timelines

  • Consultation records

  • Questionnaires

  • Manuscript submissions

  • Editorial work

  • Design drafts

  • Production schedules

  • Marketing materials

  • Client approvals

  • Internal project logs

These records may be used to verify the commencement, progress, and completion of contracted services.

9. Payment Disputes

9th Colony Literary is committed to resolving concerns fairly and professionally. Authors are encouraged to contact 9th Colony Literary regarding any concern about a payment, service, cancellation, or refund and allow a reasonable opportunity for the matter to be reviewed and resolved.

Where a payment dispute or chargeback is initiated, 9th Colony Literary may provide the applicable payment processor with relevant documentation, including the Service Agreement, payment confirmation, correspondence, project records, approvals, and evidence of services performed.

Nothing in this policy limits any legal rights that cannot be waived under applicable law or any rights available under applicable payment-network rules.

10. Author Acknowledgment

By signing the Service Agreement and submitting payment, the Author acknowledges that they have:

  • Read this Refund Policy in its entirety.

  • Understood the terms and conditions contained herein.

  • Authorized 9th Colony Literary to begin work immediately.

  • Understood that customized professional services may become non-refundable once material performance has commenced.

  • Agreed that the Administrative Setup Fee may apply where applicable.

  • Accepted this Refund Policy as part of the Service Agreement.

9th Colony Literary is committed to delivering professional publishing services with integrity, transparency, and respect for every Author. We encourage all prospective clients to review this policy carefully and to contact us with any questions before signing an agreement or submitting payment.