The short version
- There are no ads on this site, and I don't sell or share your information.
- Google Analytics only sets cookies if you click Accept on the cookie banner. Clicking Decline keeps them off.
- If you email me, I use your email only to reply.
- You can withdraw your consent at any time using the button further down this page.
Who runs this site
Stillawake (stillawake.com) is run by Joanna Booth, an independent writer and publisher based in Bristol, UK. I am responsible for any personal information this site collects.
You can contact me about privacy at hello@stillawake.com.
Analytics
Google Analytics
I use Google Analytics to see how many people visit, which pages they read and roughly where they come from. This helps me decide what to write and build next.
When you first arrive, Google Analytics is told not to store anything on your device. It only sets cookies after you click Accept on the cookie banner. Until then, Google may still receive basic information without cookies, such as that a page was viewed.
Google Analytics records things like the pages you view, the site that referred you, your approximate location (town or country), and your device and browser type. It does not give me your name or email address.
The legal basis for this is your consent. Google processes the data on my behalf. You can read Google's privacy policy.
Ahrefs Web Analytics
The home page also uses Ahrefs Web Analytics to count visits. Ahrefs says this tool does not use cookies and does not collect personal data. I use it on the basis of my legitimate interest in understanding how the site is used. You can read Ahrefs' privacy policy.
What is stored on your device
| Name | Set by | What it does | When |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga, _ga_* |
Google Analytics | Cookies that tell visits apart, so repeat visitors are not counted twice. | Only after you click Accept. Google keeps them for up to two years. |
consent |
This site | Remembers whether you clicked Accept or Decline, so the banner doesn't keep appearing. It is kept in your browser's local storage and never leaves your device. | After you click Accept or Decline. |
Changing your mind
This button removes your choice from this browser. Google Analytics will stop setting cookies, and the banner will appear again on your next visit so you can choose again.
To remove Google Analytics cookies that are already set, clear the cookies for stillawake.com in your browser settings. You can also install Google's Analytics opt-out add-on.
Hosting and security
This site is delivered through Cloudflare, which protects it from attacks and hides email addresses from spam robots. Like any web server, Cloudflare processes your IP address and basic request details to deliver pages to you. I rely on my legitimate interest in running a secure website. You can read Cloudflare's privacy policy.
Content from other websites
Some pages load fonts, code or content from other services. When they do, your browser connects to those services directly, and they receive your IP address. These include:
- Google Fonts, for the typefaces on most pages.
- Code libraries from cdnjs, jsDelivr, unpkg and similar services, for the interactive maps and tools.
- Bookshop.org, which shows my list of Bristol books on the home page.
- Claude (claude.site), which shows the embedded content on the Agatha Christie page.
The site also links to Amazon, Substack and other websites. Once you follow a link, that website's own privacy policy applies.
If you email me
If you email me, I receive your email address and anything you include in your message. I use this only to reply and to keep a record of our conversation. I don't add you to a mailing list and I don't share your details. I delete old correspondence when I no longer need it.
Newsletter sign-ups happen on Substack, which has its own privacy policy.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law you have the right to:
- ask for a copy of the personal information I hold about you
- ask me to correct or delete it
- object to how I use it, or ask me to limit it
- withdraw your consent at any time
To do any of these, email hello@stillawake.com. I'll reply within one month.
If you are unhappy with how I've handled your information, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint.
Changes to this policy
If the site starts collecting anything new, I'll update this page and the date below.
Last updated 28 October 2026.