Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 2026

Keight Editing (“Keight Editing,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the information you provide through our website, contests, services, and related platforms. By using this website, submitting a contest entry, purchasing services, or communicating with us, you agree to this Privacy Policy.

Information We Collect

We may collect information including:

  • Name

  • Email address

  • Payment information processed through third-party providers

  • Manuscript submissions

  • Contest entry information

  • Communications submitted through forms or email

  • Website usage analytics and cookies

Payment information is processed securely through third-party payment providers. Keight Editing does not directly store full payment card information.

How We Use Information

We may use collected information to:

  • Process contest entries and purchases

  • Communicate regarding submissions or services

  • Administer contests

  • Provide critiques or editorial services

  • Improve website functionality and user experience

  • Send updates, announcements, or promotional emails

  • Prevent fraud or misuse of the platform

Contest Submissions

Contest submissions remain the intellectual property of the entrant. By entering a contest, entrants grant Keight Editing a limited non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use entrant names, manuscript titles, placement status, and reasonable excerpts of finalist or winning entries for contest administration, website display, announcements, marketing, social media, and archival purposes.

Cookies & Analytics

Our website may use cookies, analytics tools, and related technologies to improve performance and understand visitor behavior. Users may disable cookies through their browser settings, though portions of the site may not function properly.

Third-Party Services

We may use third-party providers including:

  • Website hosting platforms

  • Email marketing services

  • Payment processors

  • Contest management platforms such as Zealous

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party services.

Data Security

We take commercially reasonable measures to protect information submitted through our website and services. However, no online transmission or storage method is guaranteed to be completely secure.

Children’s Privacy

This website and services are not directed toward children under 18. Minors entering contests must have parent or guardian permission.

Email Communications

By submitting your email address, you may receive contest updates, announcements, promotional communications, or service-related emails from Keight Editing. You may unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time.

Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights regarding access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information. Requests may be sent to: keightediting@gmail.com.

Changes to This Policy

Keight Editing may update this Privacy Policy at any time. Updated versions become effective upon posting.

Contact

Questions regarding this Privacy Policy may be directed to: keightediting@gmail.com.

Terms & Conditions

Effective Date: 2026

By accessing or using KeightEditing.com, purchasing services, submitting materials, or participating in contests, you agree to these Terms & Conditions. If you do not agree, do not use this website or services.

Services

Keight Editing provides editorial services, critiques, educational content, contests, and related materials. All services are educational and informational in nature.

No service guarantees:

  • publication;

  • literary representation;

  • contest placement;

  • commercial success;

  • manuscript acceptance;

  • specific writing outcomes.

Editorial feedback and critiques are subjective professional opinions.

Payments & Refunds

All prices are listed in U.S. Dollars. Unless otherwise stated:

  • contest entry fees are non-refundable;

  • critique purchases are non-refundable;

  • editorial service deposits may be non-refundable once work begins.

Chargebacks or payment disputes made in bad faith may result in service refusal or account restrictions.

Intellectual Property

All website content, branding, graphics, logos, text, and original materials created by Keight Editing remain the intellectual property of Keight Editing unless otherwise stated. Users may not reproduce, redistribute, copy, scrape, or commercially exploit website content without written permission. Authors retain ownership of their submitted manuscripts and creative works.

User Conduct

Users agree not to:

  • submit unlawful or infringing material;

  • impersonate others;

  • upload malicious software;

  • interfere with website functionality;

  • engage in harassment or abusive conduct;

  • manipulate contests or voting systems.

Keight Editing reserves the right to refuse service or remove content at its discretion.

AI-Generated Content

Unless expressly permitted, substantially AI-generated submissions may be rejected, disqualified, or refused service. Keight Editing reserves sole discretion in evaluating authenticity and compliance.

Third-Party Platforms

Certain services may utilize third-party platforms including payment processors, website providers, or contest software. Keight Editing is not responsible for outages, interruptions, errors, or policies associated with third-party services.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Keight Editing shall not be liable for:

  • indirect damages;

  • lost profits;

  • manuscript loss;

  • technical failures;

  • contest outcomes;

  • publication decisions;

  • emotional distress;

  • platform interruptions.

Maximum liability shall not exceed the amount paid by the customer for the specific service or contest entry at issue.

No Professional Legal or Publishing Advice

Content, critiques, articles, and services provided by Keight Editing do not constitute legal, literary agent, publishing, or financial advice.

Modifications

Keight Editing may modify services, pricing, policies, contests, or website content at any time without prior notice.

Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee. Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively in Tennessee courts.

Severability

If any provision is found unenforceable, remaining provisions remain in effect.

Contact

Questions regarding these Terms may be directed to: keightediting@gmail.com.

Contest Rules

Keight Editing 2026 First Pages Contest — Official Rules

Overview

The Keight Editing First Pages Contest is a skill-based fiction writing contest designed to recognize compelling unpublished manuscript openings and offer optional professional editorial feedback. One winner will be selected in each eligible category.

Eligibility

  • Open to writers age 18 or older, or minors with parent/guardian permission.

  • Entries must be original work created solely by the entrant.

  • Manuscripts must be unpublished at time of entry.

  • Accepted categories:

    • Romance

    • Fantasy

    • Mystery / Thriller / Suspense

  • Manuscripts previously edited by Keight Editing are ineligible.

  • Employees, contractors, judges, and immediate family members of Keight Editing are ineligible.

  • Void where prohibited by law.

Entry Period

  • Opens: May 15, 2026

  • Closes: August 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM CDT

  • Winners Announced: Late October 2026

Keight Editing reserves the right to modify dates if necessary.

Entry Fees

  • Standard Entry: $24.99

  • Optional Critique Add-On: $19.99

All fees are non-refundable.

Multiple Entries

Multiple entries are permitted if:

  • each submission is a different manuscript;

  • each submission is entered separately;

  • each entry includes the required fee.

Multiple versions of the same manuscript are not permitted.

Submission Requirements

Upload one .doc or .docx file containing:

  • title page with author name and contact email;

  • up to 4,000 words of opening pages;

  • synopsis of up to 300 words on a separate page.

Formatting requirements:

  • double-spaced;

  • 12-point Times New Roman font;

  • 1-inch margins;

  • title and page numbers in header.

Submissions must be written in English.

Judging

Entries may be judged on:

  • opening hook;

  • originality;

  • voice;

  • clarity;

  • pacing;

  • structure;

  • character introduction;

  • overall impact.

Judging is subjective. All decisions are final.

This contest uses a single-round judging process.

Awards

One Winner Per Category Receives:

  • Official Winner Trophy

  • Featured Winner Spotlight on KeightEditing.com

  • Instagram Winner Recognition

  • Official Digital Winner Badge

  • Professional critique of submitted first pages and synopsis

Prize details may be modified or substituted if necessary.

Critique Add-On Terms

Optional critiques:

  • are educational editorial opinions only;

  • do not guarantee winning;

  • do not guarantee publication or representation;

  • are subjective professional feedback;

  • may focus on selected strengths and weaknesses rather than exhaustive edits.

Critiques are typically delivered after contest judging concludes.

Disqualification

Entries may be disqualified for:

  • plagiarism or suspected plagiarism;

  • false information;

  • substantially AI-generated writing;

  • copyright infringement;

  • unlawful, offensive, or inappropriate content;

  • failure to follow submission guidelines;

  • attempts to manipulate contest systems or results.

All disqualification decisions are final.

Intellectual Property Rights

Entrants retain copyright ownership of submitted work. By entering, entrants grant Keight Editing a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use entrant names, manuscript titles, placement status, and reasonable excerpts of finalist or winning entries for:

  • contest administration;

  • website display;

  • social media promotion;

  • announcements;

  • archival purposes.

Technical Issues & Liability

Keight Editing is not responsible for:

  • lost or corrupted submissions;

  • internet or platform failures;

  • upload issues;

  • payment processor interruptions;

  • email delivery failures;

  • third-party software outages.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, entrants release Keight Editing and its owners, contractors, affiliates, judges, and agents from claims arising from participation, contest outcomes, critiques, prizes, or technical failures. Maximum liability shall not exceed the amount paid for the affected entry.

Right to Modify or Cancel

Keight Editing may suspend, postpone, modify, or cancel the contest if fraud, technical failures, insufficient participation, legal concerns, force majeure, or other issues interfere with proper administration.

Governing Law

These Official Rules are governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee. Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively in Tennessee courts.

Acceptance of Rules

Submission of an entry constitutes full acceptance of these Official Rules.