Terms & Conditions

Last Upated: 03/10/2026

Introduction & Acceptance

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) are a legal agreement between you and By Maze E., operated by Maze E. They govern your access to and use of this website, including any content, features, products, or services offered here.

 

By accessing or using this site in any way—including visiting pages, reading stories, leaving comments, or making a purchase—you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you should not use this website.


1. Intellectual Property Rights

Unless otherwise noted, all content available on this website, including but not limited to written works, stories, blog posts, character names, worldbuilding elements, artwork, graphics, logos, icons, page layouts, and design elements (collectively, the “Content”), is the intellectual property of Maze E. and is protected by applicable copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.


Where third‑party assets are used (such as fonts, stock textures, or design templates), they are used under the appropriate licenses. Credit or attribution will be provided in captions, alt text, or elsewhere on the site where required by those licenses. This does not grant visitors any rights to reuse those third‑party materials beyond what their original licensors allow.


AI‑Generated and Edited Content

This site may use images or visual elements created or enhanced with AI tools, sometimes with or without reference photos. To the extent permitted by law and by the terms of those AI tools, Maze E. asserts rights over the selection, arrangement, editing, and presentation of such AI‑assisted content as part of the overall creative work on this site. You may not copy, redistribute, or reuse these images except as allowed under the “Permitted Uses” section below.


Guest and Contributed Works

From time to time, this site may feature works created by guest authors, artists, or other contributors. In those cases, the contributor will generally retain copyright to their work, and the work is used here under license or permission. Those works are still protected by copyright and may not be copied, reproduced, or adapted without the contributor’s permission, except as allowed under the limited uses described below.


Permitted Uses

Visitors are granted a limited, personal, non‑exclusive, non‑transferable license to:


  • Access and read the Content on this website for personal, non‑commercial use.

  • Bookmark pages or save them for personal reference.

  • Print a reasonable number of copies of a story or page for personal, non‑commercial use (for example: reading offline, annotating for your own study, or sharing within a free book club or classroom that does not charge for access).

  • Share short excerpts of text online (such as a brief quote in a review, recommendation, or social media post), provided that:

    • You clearly credit the author as “Maze E.”, and

    • Where feasible, you include a link back to the original page on this site.

Any other use of the Content requires prior written permission from Maze E. or, where applicable, the original contributor.


Prohibited Uses

Without express written permission, you may not:


  • Copy, reproduce, republish, download, upload, post, transmit, or distribute substantial portions of any story or page in any form or medium.

  • Adapt, translate, transform, or create derivative works based substantially on the Content (including stories, characters, worlds, artwork, or designs), except for allowed fan works described in the separate Fan Works section of these Terms.

  • Use any Content for commercial purposes, including selling, licensing, or monetizing it in print, digital, or any other format.

  • Use the By Maze E. logo, wordmark, or other brand identifiers in connection with your own products, services, or websites without prior written permission from Maze E.

  • Remove, alter, or obscure any copyright notices, watermarks, or attribution marks on text or images.

  • Train, fine‑tune, or otherwise use any Content from this site as input for machine learning models, AI systems, scraping tools, or automated datasets.

  • Use automated tools (including bots, scrapers, or crawlers) to systematically copy, archive, or download Content from this site.

Any rights not expressly granted in this section are reserved.


2. Acceptable Use & User Conduct

By accessing or using the By Maze E. website, you agree to treat this space—and the people in it—with respect. These guidelines are meant to keep the comment sections and community areas feeling gentle, thoughtful, and safe for everyone.


2.1 General Expectations

This site is intended as a calm, creative corner of the internet. Visitors are welcome to:


  • Read, reflect on, and enjoy the stories and posts.

  • Leave thoughtful comments, questions, and observations.

  • Offer polite, craft‑focused feedback on writing when appropriate.

By participating, you agree not to use the site in any way that:


  • Violates any applicable laws or regulations.

  • Interferes with the security, availability, or proper functioning of the site.

  • Harms or attempts to harm Maze E., other visitors, or the site itself.

2.2 Comments and User Interaction

Comments are enabled on stories by default and generally appear immediately. Basic spam and abuse filtering tools may be used, but most moderation is done manually and only when needed.


By posting a comment or other user‑generated content, you agree to:


  • Keep critique constructive, kind, and focused on the work—not the person.

  • Accept that your comment may remain visible publicly unless removed under these Terms.

  • Take responsibility for the content you publish under your name or handle.

You are encouraged to contact Maze E. if you see behavior that seems harmful, harassing, or otherwise out of line with these house rules.


2.3 Prohibited Conduct

To protect this space and its readers, the following are not allowed:


  • Harassment, bullying, or personal attacks.

  • Hate speech, slurs, or discriminatory language based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

  • Threats, stalking, or any form of intimidation.

  • Posting or linking to explicit sexual content or graphic violence.

  • Posting spoilers for stories without a clear spoiler warning when appropriate.

  • Sharing anyone’s personal information (doxxing), including your own, in a way that could cause harm.

  • Impersonating Maze E., By Maze E., or any other person or entity.

  • Spamming, mass posting, or using the site primarily for self‑promotion or advertising.

  • Posting promotional or affiliate links, including links to products, services, or commercial offers, without express permission.

  • Posting or linking to malicious, unsafe, or pirated content.

Regarding language:


  • Occasional mild swearing is tolerated, as long as it is not directed at another person and does not cross into harassment or hate speech.

  • Excessive, aggressive, or targeted profanity is not allowed and may be removed.

2.4 Links and External Sites

Users may sometimes share links in comments. However:


  • Links to malicious, harmful, or unsafe sites, or to pirated or illegal content, are strictly prohibited.

  • Links posted by users do not constitute endorsement by Maze E. or By Maze E., and you follow them at your own risk.

Maze E. reserves the right to remove any links that feel unsafe, spammy, or out of alignment with the purpose of this site.


2.4.1 Links to Other Websites

From time to time, By Maze E. may include links to third‑party websites or resources. These links are provided only for convenience or as recommendations that may be of interest.


Maze E. does not control and is not responsible for:


  • The content, accuracy, or availability of any third‑party sites.

  • Their privacy practices, terms, or policies.

  • Any loss, damage, or issues that may result from your use of those sites.

When you follow a link to another website, you do so at your own risk and should review that site’s own terms and privacy policy.


2.5 Moderation and Enforcement

To maintain a safe and welcoming environment, Maze E. and any appointed moderators may, at their sole discretion:


  • Edit, hide, or delete any comment or user‑generated content.

  • Temporarily suspend a user’s ability to comment.

  • Permanently block or ban a user, IP address, or account from accessing interactive parts of the site.

  • Report serious violations or threats to the hosting provider or, where appropriate, to relevant authorities.

This may occur when a clear rule is broken, or when behavior simply doesn’t fit the tone and purpose of the site, even if it does not fall neatly into a single category listed above.


2.6 User Responsibility

You are solely responsible for:


  • The content you post on By Maze E., including comments, links, and any other user‑generated material.

  • Ensuring that anything you share complies with these Terms and with applicable laws in your jurisdiction.

  • Keeping any login credentials (if accounts are ever enabled in the future) secure and not sharing them with others.

If you become aware of any misuse of the site or any violation of these Terms, you are encouraged to contact Maze E. so appropriate action can be considered.


3. User‑Generated Content (UGC) License

This site allows visitors to share their own contributions in certain places, such as comments on stories and messages submitted through contact forms. In the future, readers may also share or link to fanfiction, fan art, or other creative responses to the stories.


For this section, “User‑Generated Content” or “UGC” means any content that you submit, post, upload, or send through By Maze E., including but not limited to:


  • Comments and replies on stories or blog posts

  • Text submitted through contact forms or similar tools

  • Links to fanfiction, fan art, or other works inspired by the stories shared here

3.1 Ownership of Your Content

You remain the owner of your own User‑Generated Content. Posting a comment or sharing a link does not transfer your copyright to Maze E.


By submitting UGC to By Maze E., you confirm that:


  • You have the right to share that content and are not infringing on anyone else’s rights.

  • Your content does not violate any laws, including copyright, privacy, or defamation laws.

  • You are solely responsible for the content you submit.

If you post someone else’s work without permission, or include material you have no rights to, you are responsible for any consequences that may follow.


3.2 License You Grant to By Maze E.

By posting or submitting User‑Generated Content, you grant Maze E. and By Maze E. a worldwide, non‑exclusive, royalty‑free, irrevocable license to:


  • Store, host, and display your content on this website and any successor or backup versions of it.

  • Reproduce, distribute, and publicly show your content in connection with the operation, promotion, or improvement of the site (for example, quoting a thoughtful comment in a “What Readers Are Saying” section, with credit).

  • Edit or format your content for clarity, length, or technical reasons (such as removing spoilers, personal information, or broken links), while taking reasonable care not to change the overall meaning.

This license continues even if your content is later hidden or removed from public view, so that backups, archives, or technical copies can continue to exist as needed for the site to operate.


3.3 Fanfiction and Fan Art Shared via the Site

If you share or link to fanfiction, fan art, or other fan works inspired by stories on By Maze E.:


  • You retain your rights in your fan work, subject to any separate conditions already set in the Fan Works section of these Terms.

  • Your fan work must be non‑commercial and clearly unofficial (not presented as canon or as an official collaboration with Maze E.).

  • By sharing it here, you grant Maze E. the same license described above for UGC, which covers the comment itself and any previews or snippets shown on the site.

If Maze E. wishes to feature your fan work more prominently (for example, in a dedicated gallery or post), separate permission will be requested from you first.


3.4 Moderation and Removal of User Content

Maze E. reserves the right, at any time and at sole discretion, to edit, hide, or remove any User‑Generated Content, or to refuse to display it, for any reason or no specific reason, including but not limited to:


  • Content that violates the house rules outlined in the Acceptable Use & User Conduct section (harassment, hate speech, explicit or graphic content, spam, unsafe links, etc.).

  • Content that appears to infringe copyright, privacy, or other legal rights.

  • Content that discloses personal or sensitive information (about you or others).

  • Content that is off‑topic, misleading, or disruptive to the purpose of the discussion.

  • Content that does not fit the tone, mood, or creative focus of By Maze E., even if it does not clearly violate a specific rule.

Maze E. is not obligated to host any particular comment or submission and does not guarantee that any User‑Generated Content will remain available or unchanged.


3.5 Responsibility for User‑Generated Content

You understand and agree that:


  • You are legally and personally responsible for the User‑Generated Content you submit.

  • The views expressed in comments or other UGC belong to the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Maze E. or By Maze E.

  • Maze E. is not responsible for monitoring every piece of UGC and is not liable for any loss, damage, or harm arising from content posted by other users.

If you believe that any User‑Generated Content infringes your rights or violates these Terms, you are encouraged to contact Maze E. so that the situation can be reviewed.


4. Disclaimers & Limitation of Liability

By using the By Maze E. website, you understand and agree to the following disclaimers and limits on liability.


4.1 “As Is” Nature of the Site

By Maze E. is offered as a creative, evolving space. While reasonable efforts are made to keep the site accurate, secure, and available, it is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis.


Maze E. does not guarantee that:


  • All content will be free from errors, typos, or omissions.

  • The site will be available at all times without interruption.

  • The site will be completely secure or free from bugs, viruses, or other harmful components.

Content may be updated, edited, corrected, or removed at any time without notice.


4.2 No Professional Advice

The content on By Maze E. is primarily fiction, creative writing, and personal reflection. From time to time, the site may include notes about writing craft, creativity, or related topics. Any such content is shared for informational and inspirational purposes only.


Nothing on this site should be taken as professional, legal, medical, financial, or mental health advice. Any decisions you make based on content from this site are made at your own discretion and risk.


4.3 Products, Services, and Digital Goods

Now or in the future, By Maze E. may offer:


  • Freelance or creative services

  • Digital products such as templates, guides, ebooks, audiobooks

  • Physical products such as merchandise

Reasonable care is taken in describing and presenting these offerings, but:


  • No guarantee is made that any product, service, or digital good will meet your specific expectations or goals.

  • All use of services and products is at your own risk, and individual results may vary.

  • Where applicable, specific refund or use policies may apply and will be stated at the point of purchase.

4.4 Third‑Party Links and Resources

By Maze E. may include links to third‑party websites, services, shops, or resources (for example, other authors, bookshops, or writing tools).


You understand that:


  • These third‑party sites are not controlled by Maze E.

  • Inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement or responsibility for that site’s content, policies, or security.

  • You are encouraged to review the terms and privacy policies of any third‑party site you visit.

Maze E. is not responsible for any loss, damage, or issues arising from your use of third‑party websites or services.


4.5 Data Loss and Technical Issues

From time to time, the site may experience technical problems, hosting outages, or other issues that may result in:


  • Temporary or permanent unavailability of the site or certain pages

  • Loss of comments or user‑generated content

  • Changes to site structure, URLs, or features

While efforts will be made to maintain backups and stability, Maze E. cannot guarantee that data will never be lost or altered, and is not liable for such loss.


4.6 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law:


  • Maze E. and anyone involved in creating, maintaining, or operating By Maze E. shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of the site, products, or services.

  • This includes, without limitation, damages for lost profits, lost data, loss of goodwill, service interruption, computer damage, or emotional distress—even if Maze E. has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

If, despite the above, liability is found to exist, the total liability of Maze E. for any claim arising out of or relating to your use of the site, products, or services will be limited to the total amount you paid (if any) to By Maze E. in connection with that specific claim.


4.7 Your Use Is at Your Own Risk

By accessing or using By Maze E., you agree that:


  • You use the site, content, products, and services at your own risk.

  • You are responsible for any damage to your devices or loss of data that may result from accessing or downloading content from the site.

  • If you are dissatisfied with any part of the site or these Terms, your sole and exclusive remedy is to stop using the site.

5. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms, and any dispute or claim arising out of or related to your use of the By Maze E. website, products, or services, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, without regard to its conflict of law principles.


Before taking any formal legal action, you agree to first contact Maze E. using the contact details provided on the site and allow a reasonable opportunity (for example, 30 days) to discuss and attempt to resolve the issue informally. Most questions or concerns can be resolved in this way, and Maze E. is committed to handling them in good faith.


If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, you agree that any claim, action, or proceeding arising out of or related to these Terms or your use of the site shall be brought exclusively in the state courts located in Fairfax County, Virginia, or the federal courts serving the Northern Virginia region, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts for that purpose.


6. Termination & Suspension

By Maze E. is meant to be a calm, creative space. To protect that space and the people in it, Maze E. reserves certain rights to limit or end access when necessary.


6.1 When Access May Be Limited or Terminated

Maze E. may, at any time and at sole discretion, limit, suspend, or terminate your access to:


  • Commenting and other interactive features

  • Any account‑based or member‑only areas that may be added in the future

  • Specific parts of the site or, in rare and serious cases, the site as a whole

This may occur if, for example, you:


  • Violate these Terms (including the house rules on Acceptable Use, Intellectual Property, or User‑Generated Content)

  • Engage in harassment, abuse, threats, or other harmful behavior toward Maze E. or other users

  • Attempt to hack, scrape, disrupt, or otherwise interfere with the security or operation of the site

  • Post illegal content or use the site for unlawful purposes

  • Repeatedly ignore requests or warnings to correct problematic behavior

  • Engage in fraud, chargebacks, or non‑payment related to any paid products or services (subject to any separate purchase/refund policies)

6.2 Notice and Immediate Action

In most situations, Maze E. will attempt to provide a warning or explanation before limiting or terminating access, especially where a misunderstanding can be resolved.


However, Maze E. reserves the right to act immediately and without prior notice in serious or urgent cases, including but not limited to:


  • Clear harassment or threats

  • Obvious attempts to hack, scrape, or damage the site

  • Posting illegal content or severe violations of these Terms

6.3 Effect on Purchases and Refunds

If you have purchased products or services (such as ebooks, audiobooks, digital downloads, or freelance services), any questions about access or refunds after suspension or termination will be handled under the refund policy in effect at the time of purchase.


This Section does not create any additional refund rights beyond those stated in the relevant product, service, or refund policy.

6.4 Changes to the Site or Services

Maze E. may, at any time:


  • Change, pause, or discontinue any feature, section, product, or service offered through By Maze E.

  • Limit the availability of the site or certain content to specific users, regions, or time periods

Such changes may be made for technical, creative, legal, or business reasons, and do not create any liability to you beyond obligations set out in any applicable refund or purchase policy.


6.5 Continuing Obligations After Termination

If your access is limited, suspended, or terminated for any reason:



  • Your obligations under these Terms—especially those relating to Intellectual Property, User‑Generated Content, Disclaimers & Limitation of Liability, and Governing Law—continue to apply.

  • You must stop using any restricted or blocked parts of the site and must not attempt to bypass blocks, create new accounts to evade restrictions, or otherwise circumvent any technical or manual measures taken to enforce these Terms.

7. Age Restrictions

By Maze E. is intended for teens and adults, not young children. Because the site may explore mature themes and, in certain areas, explicit content, age and access matter.


7.1 Minimum Age to Use the Site

By using this website, you confirm that:


  • You are at least 13 years old, and

  • If the laws of your country or region require you to be older than 13 to use online services or consent to the collection of your data, you meet that higher minimum age.

This site is not directed at children under 13, and Maze E. does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are under 13, you must not use this site, submit information, or post comments.


7.2 Mature and Explicit Content

Many stories and discussions on By Maze E. may include mature themes such as complex emotions, relationships, and difficult topics. In addition, now or in the future:


  • Certain ebooks, audiobooks, digital products, and site‑hosted stories may contain explicit sexual content or other adult material.

  • These adult materials will be clearly labeled and may be placed in sections intended only for users who are 18 years of age or older.

Access to those adult‑only areas may require:


  • Age confirmation (for example, a “I am 18 or older” step), and/or

  • Registration for a specific membership or restricted access level, and/or

  • Payment through a paywall or subscription.

By entering any area marked as 18+, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old and legally allowed to view such material in your location.


7.3 Parents and Guardians

If you are a parent or guardian and believe that a child under the applicable minimum age has provided personal information to By Maze E., please contact Maze E. using the contact information provided on the site.


Upon notice, reasonable steps will be taken to:


  • Review the situation, and

  • Remove any personal information or comments submitted by that child, to the extent reasonably possible.

7.4 Purchases and Responsibility

Some content on By Maze E. may be free to access, while other products or services (such as ebooks, audiobooks, templates, or freelance services) may be paid. By choosing to make a purchase, you represent that:


  • You have the legal capacity to enter into that transaction under the laws of your jurisdiction, and

  • If you are a minor where you live, you have obtained any necessary permission from a parent or guardian.

You are responsible for ensuring that any content you access or buy from By Maze E. is appropriate for you and complies with the laws of your country or region.


8. Severability & Waiver

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision will be limited or removed to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions of the Terms will remain in full force and effect.


The failure of Maze E. to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision, and no waiver of any such right or provision shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed or clearly confirmed by Maze E.


9. Changes to These Terms

By Maze E. is a living, evolving project, and these Terms may need to change from time to time to reflect new features, legal requirements, or creative directions.


Maze E. reserves the right to update or modify these Terms at any time. When changes are made:


  • The “Last Updated” date at the top of the Terms page will be revised.

  • In the case of significant changes, reasonable efforts may be made to highlight them on the site (for example, through a short notice or banner).

Unless otherwise stated, updated Terms will take effect when they are posted on this page. Your continued use of the By Maze E. website after any changes have been posted will constitute your acceptance of the revised Terms.

If you do not agree with the updated Terms, you should stop using the site and may contact Maze E. through the Contact page to raise any questions or concerns.


10. Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms, your use of this site, or any of the content, products, or services offered through By Maze E., you can reach out at any time via the Contact page on this website.


Links to the Contact page are available in the main navigation and at the bottom of all primary pages.


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