What happens to your file
Step by step — complete transparency on every stage of your upload.
📤
You upload your PDF
Your file is transmitted over an encrypted HTTPS connection. It never travels unencrypted. It is assigned a random 8-character ID — no connection to your name, email, or identity.
🔐 HTTPS encrypted in transit
🔑
File is encrypted at rest
The moment your file lands on our server, it is encrypted using AES-256 (Fernet symmetric encryption). The encryption key is stored separately from your file. Even if someone accessed our storage, your file would be unreadable without the key.
🔒 AES-256 encrypted
⚙️
Compliance checks run
Our engine checks your PDF for 16 technical issues. We read only the technical metadata — color profiles, fonts, dimensions, compliance tags. We do not read, store, index, or analyze the content of your manuscript.
📋 Content never read or stored
✅
Fixed file delivered
After payment, your fixed PDF and full report are immediately emailed to you as attachments. The files are also available for download for 24 hours via a unique link that only you have.
📧 Delivered directly to your inbox
🗑️
All files permanently deleted
Your original upload, the fixed PDF, the report, and all associated files are automatically and permanently deleted from our servers within 24 hours of upload. We run a deletion sweep on every new upload. You can also delete your files immediately at any time using the link in your report.
✓ Auto-deleted within 24 hours
Our security guarantees
🔒
Encrypted at rest
Every file stored on our servers is encrypted with AES-256. Unreadable without the key.
⏱️
24-hour auto-deletion
Files are automatically purged within 24 hours. No exceptions, no lingering backups.
🚫
Never used for AI training
Your manuscript content is never read, stored, or used to train any AI model — ever.
🙅
Never sold or shared
Your file and your email address are never sold, shared, or given to any third party.
👤
No account required
No account means no profile, no data trail. We store nothing about you beyond what's needed to deliver your files.
🗑️
Delete on demand
You can permanently delete your files at any time via the link in your report — no waiting, no request needed.
How we compare
BookReady vs other tools authors commonly use for their manuscripts.
| Feature |
BookReady |
Google Docs |
Reedsy |
ProWritingAid |
| Files encrypted at rest | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | — | — |
| Files auto-deleted | ✓ 24 hrs | ✗ Never | ✗ Never | ✗ Never |
| No account required | ✓ Yes | ✗ Required | ✗ Required | ✗ Required |
| Content never read | ✓ Confirmed | ✗ Scanned | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Never used for AI training | ✓ Confirmed | ✗ Possible | — | ✓ Confirmed |
| Delete on demand | ✓ Instant | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| No data sold to third parties | ✓ Never | ✗ Ad targeting | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
A personal promise from the founder
I built BookReady as an indie author. I uploaded my own manuscript — Vows of Shadow and Flame — to test it. I would never build something I wouldn't trust with my own work. Your book represents years of your life. We treat it that way. It lands on our server, gets checked, gets fixed, gets sent to you, and gets deleted. That's it. Nothing else happens to it.
— Tiffany Phillips, Founder of BookReady & Author of The Thread-Seer Saga
Security questions
Can BookReady read my manuscript content? +
No. Our compliance engine reads only the technical metadata of your PDF — things like color profiles, font embedding flags, page dimensions, and compliance tags. We never read, parse, or store the actual text of your manuscript.
Is my copyright protected? +
Yes. Your copyright exists automatically from the moment you write your work — no registration needed, and no tool can take that from you. BookReady's Terms of Service explicitly confirm we claim no rights over your content, ever.
What happens if I don't pay? +
Your file is still deleted within 24 hours regardless of payment. Paying unlocks your download links — it doesn't change anything about how your file is handled or deleted.
Who can access my uploaded file? +
Only the automated compliance engine accesses your file during processing. No human reads your manuscript. Your file is accessed only via a unique job ID that only you have.
How do I delete my files right now? +
Every report page and report email includes a "Delete my files now" link. Clicking it permanently and immediately deletes your original upload, fixed PDF, and all associated files — no confirmation step, no delay.
Do you share data with Stripe? +
Stripe processes your payment independently. We share only what's required for the transaction — your email address and the job ID. We never share your file, its contents, or any manuscript data with Stripe or any other third party.