Terms of Use

Welcome, and thank you for visiting www.thebeyoubook.com (the "Site"). The Site is owned and operated by Cindy Jill Shortt ("Cindy Jill Shortt," "I," "me," or "my"). These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Site and its content.

Please read these Terms carefully. By accessing or using the Site, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.

1. About the Site

Through this Site, I share information about my children's book, Be You, and sell the book directly to readers. You can learn more about my other work, including my art and trauma-informed trainings, at www.cindyjillshortt.com.

2. Educational Purpose Only; Not Professional Advice

I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. The Site and its content, including the book and any related writing or resources, are provided for general informational and educational purposes only.

The content is not therapy, counseling, medical advice, or a substitute for care from a qualified professional, and using the Site does not create a therapist-client, counselor-client, or any other professional relationship between you and me. If you or a child in your care needs support, please consult a qualified professional.

3. If You Are in Crisis

The Site is not designed to help with medical or mental health emergencies. If you are in crisis or think you may harm yourself or others, please contact emergency services immediately. In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911. If you are outside the United States, please contact your local emergency number or crisis service.

4. Intellectual Property

All content on the Site, including the text, story, title, characters, illustrations, artwork, photographs, logos, and design of Be You, is owned by me or used with permission and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, display, perform, modify, create derivative works from, or otherwise use the book or any Site content for commercial purposes without my prior written permission. Reading the book aloud in a classroom, library, or home setting for non-commercial purposes is welcome. If you would like to use the book for an event, recording, or other public purpose, please contact me.

The Be You name and branding may be protected marks and may not be used without permission.

5. Purchases, Shipping, and Returns

Purchases, pricing, and payment:

I will make reasonable efforts to describe the book and any related products accurately. Colors and details may appear differently depending on your screen.
Prices are listed in United States dollars and may change at any time before you place an order.
All orders are subject to acceptance and availability. I reserve the right to refuse or cancel any order.
Payment is processed through third-party payment providers. I do not collect or store full payment card numbers. By placing an order, you agree to the payment provider's terms in addition to these Terms.
You are responsible for any applicable taxes and shipping charges shown at checkout.

Shipping:

I ship worldwide. Orders are typically processed within [number] business days, and delivery times vary depending on your location and the shipping method selected at checkout. Shipping costs are calculated and shown at checkout before you complete your order.

For international orders, delivery times can be longer, and you may be responsible for any customs duties, import taxes, or fees charged by your country. These charges are not included in the price of your order or in shipping costs, and I have no control over them. Once an order leaves my hands, I am not responsible for delays, loss, or damage caused by the carrier or by customs.

Returns and refunds:

All sales are final. Books are not eligible for return, exchange, or refund based on a change of mind. The only exception is items that arrive damaged or defective. If your order arrives damaged or defective, please contact me within [number] days of delivery, include a description and photographs of the damage, and I will work with you to repair, replace, or refund the item. In cases of confirmed damage or defect, I will cover return shipping.

If you have any problem with an order, please contact me using the information below and I will do my best to make it right.

6. Acceptable Use

When using the Site, you agree not to:

Use the Site for any unlawful purpose or in violation of these Terms.
Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Site or its systems.
Interfere with or disrupt the Site or its security.
Copy, scrape, or harvest content except as expressly allowed.
Upload or transmit harmful code or content.

7. Third-Party Links

The Site may link to third-party websites and services, including www.cindyjillshortt.com, online booksellers, and social media platforms. I provide these links for convenience and am not responsible for the content, products, or practices of third-party sites. Your use of those sites is governed by their own terms and policies.

8. Disclaimers

The Site and all content are provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

I do not warrant that the Site will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure, or that any content is accurate, complete, or current. Any reliance you place on Site content is at your own risk.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, I will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits, data, or goodwill, arising out of or related to your use of the Site or its content, even if I have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Cindy Jill Shortt from any claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorney fees, arising out of your use of the Site, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any rights of another person or party.

11. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law principles. You agree that any dispute arising out of or relating to the Site or these Terms will be brought in the state or federal courts located in Los Angeles County, California, and you consent to the jurisdiction of those courts.

12. Changes to These Terms

I may update these Terms from time to time. When I do, I will revise the Effective Date at the top of this page. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted means you accept the updated Terms.

13. Severability

If any part of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining parts will continue in full force and effect.

14. Contact Me

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact:

Cindy Jill Shortt Email: cindy@thebeyoubook.com Mailing address: available upon request