Theo Reads Author Referral Program

Last Updated: 4/28/2025
This agreement was updated on the date listed above.

We believe great things happen when writers lift each other up. Our author referral program is one small way to say thank you when you help us grow this community of incredible storytellers.

Here’s how it works:

Some Definitions

Referred Author: The ‘Referred Author’ is someone you refer to Theo Reads who then signs up using your unique referral link and publishes at least one paid story.

Referral Link: A unique URL provided to Theo Reads authors that tracks their referrals. When shared and clicked by a potential new author, the referral link allows Theo Reads to associate the new author's account with the referrer, ensuring the referrer earns the applicable referral fees once the referred author meets the program’s requirements.

How to Qualify

You must be a Theo Reads author at the time you make the referral.
Your referred author (the “Referred Author”) must use your unique referral link or code when they sign up. You can find your unique referral link in your Settings.
The Referred Author must publish at least one story for sale on Theo Reads.

Simple as that.

What You’ll Earn

When you refer a new author, you’ll receive 10% of the royalties paid out under our pay-as-you-go pricing tier (net of promotions and refunds) for the first year, starting with the date the Referred Author signs-up on Theo Reads.

How and When You’ll Get Paid

Referral fees are paid on the same schedule as your regular royalty payments.
Payments are subject to the same minimum thresholds, applicable taxes and surcharges, and reporting as regular royalties. Note that you are responsible for any such taxes and surcharges.
Referral Fees will be due and payable only once Theo Reads actually receives the royalty first.

A Few Rules

You can’t refer yourself. (We admire the hustle, but no.)
If two people refer the same author, the author whose referral link is used by the Referred Author gets the referral fee.
We may decline referrals if we think the program is being used in a way that's misleading, fraudulent, or just not in the spirit of what we’re building here.
Theo Reads employees or contractors are not eligible for this program.

By participating in the Theo Reads Author Referral Program, you agree to the following:

To follow these Referral Terms and our General Terms of Use.
To keep it honest: no fake signups, duplicate accounts, or any tricks to try to earn referral fees without genuinely bringing new authors into the Theo Reads community. Theo Reads takes fraud very seriously. Any attempt to game the system, including but not limited to creating fake accounts, using duplicate or misleading referral links, or engaging in fraudulent activities to earn referral fees, will result in immediate termination from the Referral Program. In such cases, any referral fees paid out based on fraudulent activity may be reclaimed, and you may be prohibited from participating in the Referral Program in the future. We reserve the right to investigate and take appropriate action if we suspect any fraudulent behavior.
That the amount of any referral fee owed to you will be determined by Theo Reads, at our sole discretion.
That Theo Reads can suspend or end your participation in the referral program if we believe (in our judgment) you’ve violated these terms, and can offset any wrongly paid referral fees against amounts otherwise owed to you.
That referral fees are the only compensation you’ll earn under this program, and only when all the conditions described in these terms are met.
That Theo Reads is not required to disclose the identities, sales data, or other private information about referred authors.
That we reserve the right to audit your referral activity and related account information at any time to ensure compliance.
That Theo Reads can update or cancel this referral program at any time, for any reason, and changes will be effective immediately upon posting.
That our decisions about the referral program, eligibility, and referral fees are final.
That any disputes related to this Referral Program, including but not limited to disagreements over referral fees or royalties, will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures outlined in our General Terms of Use. As specified, all such disputes shall be handled exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Delaware. By participating in the Referral Program, you agree to resolve disputes on an individual basis and not as part of a class action. Furthermore, Theo Reads and its team members will not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages related to your participation in the Referral Program. In no event will Theo Reads’ total liability exceed the total Referral Fees actually earned and payable to you. For any issues related to referral fees or royalties, please refer to our General Terms of Use for further details.

We May Tweak Things

Theo Reads reserves the right to update, change, or end this referral program at any time. If we make changes, we’ll make sure you know — and any earnings you’ve already built up will stay yours.

This program doesn’t create a partnership, employee relationship, or anything official like that — incredible stories, good vibes, and a thank-you for helping us grow. 🫶

We’re just getting started!