Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
What is Scribbler?
Scribbler is the only subscription box for novelists on the market.
How much does a Scribbler box cost?
The Scribbler box starts from $29.99 plus shipping (No sales tax unless you are in the state of Texas).
How much does shipping cost?
$7.99 in US
$14.99 in Canada
$18.99 International
$14.99 in Canada
$18.99 International
When is the last day to order a box?
The 16th is the last day to order to receive that month’s box. If a box is ordered after the 16th, you will receive the next month’s box.
Refund/Return Policy
Because we must order a specific quantity of items for our boxes — most of which are non-returnable — we cannot offer refunds once orders have been placed or auto renewals have processed. Please note cancellations are for future boxes only, and not for the boxes already paid for (1, 3, or 6 depending on your subscription plan).
Who do you recommend Scribbler for?
Scribbler is meant for people who take their writing seriously. We often include books targeted to adults in our boxes, so as long as a young writer is mature enough to read books from the adult section, they are most likely ready to use our boxes. If you have any additional questions about our books or themes, feel free to send your inquiries to hello@goscribbler.com.
What comes inside a Scribbler box?
Every month, we focus on a writing topic (ex. characters, plot, worldbuilding, etc.). We then select a newly-released novel that excels at tackling our monthly writing theme. In addition, we include helpful writing tools like a collectible Writing Passport with a teaching essay from the featured author, curated writer gifts, an invitation to chat with a publishing professional (ex. literary agent or editor), and an inside look at the publishing process.
What kind of book does Scribbler select?
We are careful in picking the most recent novels in adult, young adult, and middle grade categories. Although Scribbler is based in the United States, the books we choose to include in our boxes can originate from any part of the world. Our book selections are directed at writers who are open to diverse writing styles. We encourage all our subscribers to give each book a chance. If you only read books in a certain genre, or for a certain age, our boxes may not be for you. We are a box for serious writers, and serious writers read broadly.
What if I already have the book?
First of all, kudos for being an avid reader! We understand receiving duplicates can be frustrating. Unfortunately, because we plan our boxes months ahead of shipping them, we’re unable to control this dilemma. However, what makes our selected books unique are the tools that accompany them, ranging from signed bookplates to teaching essays written by the author to book-themed bookmarks and more. If you receive a book in our box you already have, we suggest gifting a copy to a friend or running a giveaway online to grow your following.
How are the items chosen for the boxes?
Our Scribbler team spends a ton of time looking at both fresh and timeless writing styles in fiction, only choosing what they think best fits the monthly theme. After a theme has been chosen for the month, we start designing the next box by working with the featured author on what advice the author will give, deciding what writing tools to include with the theme, and shaping motivating messages to help the writer in you.
My Account
How can I access my account?
After you have chosen one of our four subscription options, you’ll be required to create a Scribbler account at checkout. Any time you want to check on your order, you can head over to the top right corner of our home page and click on ‘Log In’. Once there, a menu will prompt you to provide the email address and password you used when purchasing your subscription. Fill in the information and you’re in!
What’s my account for?
In your account, you can update your contact information, credit card information, and password. You can also manage your subscriptions, including canceling or skipping a month.
I have a subscription. Why can’t I log into my account?
Problems with account logins might be due to an incorrect password or email. If you can’t remember your password, click on the ‘Forgot Password?’ option in the login page, and a password reset link will be sent to the email address you used when subscribing to Scribbler. In the case that you never receive an email, perhaps the email address associated with the account was typed wrong. This is a common issue, and we’d be glad to make necessary corrections. Just shoot us an email to hello@goscribbler.com.
How can I update my credit card information?
First, log into your account. Then go to the credit card section and click the EDIT button.
Scribbler Subscription
Am I able to subscribe for just one box?
Absolutely! Just choose our month-to-month option, order your box, and cancel your subscription by the 27th. Otherwise, your subscription will automatically renew.
I don’t live in the United States. Can I buy a box using my country’s currency?
We can only accept US dollars. If you live outside the US, currency exchange rates might apply.
What kind of payment do you accept?
We can accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club. We also offer checkout via Paypal.
My credit card is being declined, even though I know I can use it. Why?
If you’re purchasing from outside the US, your bank might see your Scribbler box as an international transaction, which might be disabled by the bank. Contact your bank and ask to enable the option. If you are inside the US, contact your bank to see why the transaction is not being allowed.
I ordered more than one box by accident. Am I able to cancel one of them?
If you accidentally ordered more than one box, you must contact us to cancel the second order within 72 hours of placing the accidental order. In this situation, we will cancel the second order and refund you the full amount.
If I want to subscribe to Scribbler boxes and the current box is sold out, what can I do?
In order to secure a box, we suggest new subscribers make their purchase early in the month since our boxes often sell out. The last day to subscribe for a box is the 16th of each month, unless we sell out first. After the 16th, or after our sell out date, each subscription will apply for the following month’s box. We have a shop with selected items from past boxes for sale in our shop.
Shipping & Tracking
Do you ship to my country?
Most likely! We ship worldwide (with the exception of Mexico and Peru – sorry).
How much does shipping to my country cost?
Currently shipping costs are as follows:
USA is $7.99 USD
Canada is $14.99 USD
International is $18.99 USD
USA is $7.99 USD
Canada is $14.99 USD
International is $18.99 USD
Tracking is accessible to which countries?
Tracking is available to all countries Scribbler ships to, but can only be tracked while on US soil. Once it leaves the US, you should contact your local postal service to check the location and expected arrival date of your box.
What if my address has changed?
You can always update your shipping address in your account, but you must do so before the 12th of the month to ensure your package arrives at the correct destination. Just log in and edit your information. Once you have done that, make sure your new address has been updated for your profile AND for your subscription. We cannot be held responsible if both places are not updated.
When will my Scribbler box be shipped to me?
We ship on the 21st of every month, unless the 21st falls on a Sunday or a holiday. In that case, we ship the following day, on the 22nd, or as soon as possible once postal services reopen. Once your box ships, you will receive an email with your shipping notification and tracking number.
Will I pay any additional fees if I am located in a country outside the US?
Each country has its own legal rules on international transactions and customs, so it’s possible fees separate from Scribbler may be added to your order. It’s also possible your bank may charge you a small fee for a purchase from foreign countries. We apologize for the hassle, but these things are out of our control.
How long does it take for my Scribbler box to arrive?
USA: 2-8 business days after shipping
Canada: 2-8 weeks after shipping
Europe, Australia, New Zealand: 2-8 weeks after shipping
Africa: 4-12 weeks after shipping
South East Asia: 4-12 weeks after shipping
Middle East: 4-12 weeks after shipping
South America: 6-12 weeks after shipping
During holidays and busy seasons, your box may take more time to arrive. COVID-19 is also currently affecting shipping times around the globe. Though our company pays a premium to get your box to you as quickly as possible, postal delivery is ultimately outside of our control. Therefore, we do not offer refunds on boxes that take longer than expected to arrive, or are detained by customs.
Canada: 2-8 weeks after shipping
Europe, Australia, New Zealand: 2-8 weeks after shipping
Africa: 4-12 weeks after shipping
South East Asia: 4-12 weeks after shipping
Middle East: 4-12 weeks after shipping
South America: 6-12 weeks after shipping
During holidays and busy seasons, your box may take more time to arrive. COVID-19 is also currently affecting shipping times around the globe. Though our company pays a premium to get your box to you as quickly as possible, postal delivery is ultimately outside of our control. Therefore, we do not offer refunds on boxes that take longer than expected to arrive, or are detained by customs.
How can I track my Scribbler box?
You will receive an email including a tracking number once your box has shipped. Using that number, you can follow your package and see its estimated time of arrival. Please wait a few days after receiving the email for tracking information to update.
What can I do if I haven’t received my box, even though my tracking updates indicate that it has been delivered?
Out of thousands upon thousands of boxes shipped across the world, we haven’t had one single case of a truly lost package. In almost every single scenario, the package arrives 2-3 days after the post office marks it as delivered, or the recipient discovers someone living in their house put it somewhere. Be sure and ask your neighbors to see if your box was accidentally delivered to them, ask the people living in your house if they placed it somewhere, and contact your local postal delivery service to ensure it was delivered. Ultimately, if the postal service has marked the box as delivered, there is little we can do. If you believe the package was stolen from your porch, please file a theft report with your local authorities. Theft of a USPS-delivered package is a federal crime.
Which shipping carrier does Scribbler boxes use?
We use USPS Ground Advantage.
What if my box is missing an item?
We sincerely apologize! Because we pack thousands of boxes every month, there’s always the chance we forget to pack an item by accident. Please let us know if you’re missing an item by sending us an email at hello@goscribbler.com, and we’ll see what we can do to remedy the situation!
Why is my box being returned to the sender?
There are a number of possibilities why this could’ve happened that are out of our control. Email us right away at hello@goscribbler.com if you notice that your package is being returned to us, and we’ll look into it.
If an item in my box is damaged, what can I do?
We are very careful in packaging each item into our boxes, and we check that we secure each box tightly. We receive every item in new condition and expect to ship them in the same quality to our subscribers. But as a result of rough handling in long shipping periods, our boxes may be susceptible to damage. Please email us at hello@goscribbler.com and attach a photo of the damaged item so we can attempt to send a replacement as soon as possible!
Skipping a Scribbler Box
Can I skip a month without losing my subscription if I don’t like a certain theme?
To skip a box, log into your account. In settings, you will be able to skip on next month’s box. Remember to do it by the 27th, otherwise you will be charged and still receive that month’s box.
If I skip a month and change my mind, can I still receive the box?
This can be arranged if we didn’t sell out of that month’s box. Please email hello@goscribbler.com and ask if we have any boxes left. If we do, Scribbler will revoke your skipping decision, renew your subscription for that box, and send you what you almost missed out on!
If I forget to skip a month and my subscription renews, am I able to still skip this month’s box?
Unfortunately, no. Once the 28th of the month arrives, which is when renewals automatically occur, our staff begins organizing and packing every box. This process requires us to meet a deadline in order for our subscribers to receive their boxes at the expected time.
Cancelling Subscription
How do I cancel my subscription?
If you wish to cancel, simply log onto your account and go to “Subscription” details. There is an option to cancel your subscription.
When is the last day to cancel my subscription so I am not billed for next month’s box?
The 27th is the last day to cancel before your subscription is renewed automatically. If you cancel on or after the 28th, you will still be charged for and receive the next box. No exceptions.
Why did I receive a box after cancelling my subscription?
Scribbler has four subscription options to choose from: month-to-month, three-month, six-month, and twelve-month. If you purchased one of our three-month, six-month, or twelve-month subscriptions and cancelled your subscription before the prepaid term ended, you will still receive the boxes you paid for. Your subscription will not renew after that, but you will not get a refund for the subscription option you originally chose once the order has been placed. The same applies to month-to-month plans: if you cancel on or after the 28th of a month, you will be charged and still receive the box for the following month. Please make sure to cancel by the 27th to avoid being charged for the next month.
Can I subscribe to Scribbler boxes after cancelling my subscription in the past?
Of course! Welcome back, fellow Scribbler! Just log in to your account and choose one of our subscription plans once more. Re-enter your information, and start enjoying Scribbler again!
Will I still get this month’s box if I cancelled my subscription?
You will receive any boxes already paid for. Cancellation only stops automatic renewals, not the boxes already ordered.
Billing & Renewal
When should I expect to be billed?
First-time subscribers will be billed directly after placing their first order. From then on, every ongoing subscription will be billed on the 28th of each monthly plan term.
Example:
Month-to-Month: If you start your subscription on January 7, you will be charged again on January 28 for February’s box and on the 28th of each subsequent month.
Three-Month: If you start your subscription on January 7, the next time you will be charged will be on March 28th and will have received three boxes before then. This follows a three-month billing cycle unless cancelled.
Example:
Month-to-Month: If you start your subscription on January 7, you will be charged again on January 28 for February’s box and on the 28th of each subsequent month.
Three-Month: If you start your subscription on January 7, the next time you will be charged will be on March 28th and will have received three boxes before then. This follows a three-month billing cycle unless cancelled.
How do renewals work?
When you subscribe, you will be charged immediately for the subscription model you have chosen (1, 3, or 6 months). Once your subscription cycle is over, you will be re-billed for the same cycle on the 28th of the month unless you switch to a different plan or cancel your subscription by the 27th.
I didn’t receive a box for this month. Why did my subscription not renew?
Insufficient funds and bank transaction blocks are two main reasons why this happens. We recommend checking with your bank and/or checking your payment information to ensure everything is up to date and that there are no interferences with international purchases authorizing the charge from Scribbler. On a side note, please do not consider a failed renewal to be the same as a cancellation, as we will continually try to charge for additional renewals unless cancelled.
Why is my bank charging me a small fee to process Scribbler orders?
If you’re an international customer, chances are some banks will classify Scribbler as an international transaction and will therefore charge a small fee for the purchase to go through. This is not a definite fee, since not every bank adds this fee, and we have no control over this, sadly. If you have any questions about international transaction fees, please contact your local bank.
Scribbler Gift Boxes
Can I order a Scribbler box as a gift?
You definitely can! If this is your first time subscribing, all you have to do is check the ‘This is a Gift’ box at checkout, and enter the recipient’s name and email. You will be required to create an account with us and you can use your own email in that section.
If you already have a Scribbler account, you can go to your subscriptions and click on the ‘This is a Gift’ option to likewise send a box as a gift.
Please use the shipping address of the recipient when placing the order so that the box will be sent there. Unless you mark the gift to not renew, the subscription will automatically renew, so make sure to cancel the subscription if you or the recipient don’t plan on sticking with us (though we’d love to have you long term!).
If you already have a Scribbler account, you can go to your subscriptions and click on the ‘This is a Gift’ option to likewise send a box as a gift.
Please use the shipping address of the recipient when placing the order so that the box will be sent there. Unless you mark the gift to not renew, the subscription will automatically renew, so make sure to cancel the subscription if you or the recipient don’t plan on sticking with us (though we’d love to have you long term!).
If I order a box as a gift, will this subscription auto-renew?
Once you check the ‘This is a Gift’ box at checkout, a message will appear reminding you that, yes, your subscription will automatically renew. You will continue to be charged for upcoming boxes unless the subscription is cancelled. To avoid this, you may select “Do not renew” when purchasing the gift.
Once I order the gift, when should the recipient expect the box?
If you order your gift before the 16th of the month, or before we sell out, the recipient will receive that month’s box. Any purchase made after the 16th or our sellout date will result in the recipient getting sent next month’s box. This also applies to multi-month plans.
Scribbler Shop
What is available to purchase in the Scribbler shop?
In our shop, we carry some of our subscribers’ favorite items from our boxes as well as other writerly goodies not found in our boxes. Many of our products are exclusive to the Scribbler shop.
Where is my shop order?
If you are a Scribbler box subscriber, and you ordered a product prior to the 12th of the month, it will arrive in your next box. A reminder that boxes ship on the 21st of the month. Products for non-subscribers are mailed out every Tuesday.
Who can order from the shop?
Both US and international Scribbler box subscribers can have Love, Scribbler products added to their next box. US non-subscribers can order items from our store, and products will ship via USPS in an envelope.
How do I get free shipping?
If you are a US or international Scribbler box subscriber, be sure you are logged into your account prior to ordering. Once you are logged in, your shipping fee will automatically be removed from your cart. For US non-subscribers, use code FREESHIP when ordering over $25 in Scribbler shop purchases. Boxes do not count toward $25 total. For international non-subscribers, shipping will be $12.99 for Canada, and $18.99 for all other countries.
I can’t find something from a past box in the shop. Where is it?
Not all of our past box gifts make it into the shop, unfortunately. Our team meets often to decide which products to include. If you’d like to see something in the Scribbler shop that isn’t already available, feel free to email us at hello@goScribbler.com.
Can I cancel a shop item I purchased?
We cannot cancel any Scribbler shop purchases once placed.
May I return my shop purchase for a refund?
Sorry, but we do not offer refunds or returns for Scribbler shop purchases.
Scribbler Gift Cards
Can a gift card be used more than once?
Yes, as long as the gift card still has money on it.
How can I check my balance?
You can check your card balance on your account page.
Can a gift card cover the cost of shipping + taxes?
Yes, gift cards apply to the final order total, which includes shipping and taxes.
If I purchase a gift card, will I pay shipping + tax?
No, shipping and tax is only applied when redeeming a gift card.
Can a gift card be used on an existing subscription?
Yes, if you apply a gift card to your existing subscription your renewal will use whatever balance is left on your card to pay for the renewal first, and will use your credit card second if there is a remaining balance.
Can I get a refund for my gift card balance?
No. We do not provide refunds on gift cards. Gift card sales are final.
Can I send the gift card to a gift receiver in an email?
The person who buys the gift card will receive an email with the gift card information that they can use to forward to their gift receiver or print out if they wish to do so. Even if you mark the purchase as a gift and fill in the recipient’s email address, the gift card will still come to the purchaser.
Press & Media Inquiries
If I’m a business wanting to partner with Scribbler, how can I get in touch?
Thank you for your interest in working with us! Please email us at hello@goscribbler.com with information about your services and products, along with a brief pitch explaining why we might be suitable for a partnership.
If I want to promote Scribbler with a giveaway on my blog or website, is Scribbler willing to donate one of its boxes?
You are more than welcome to send us an email at hello@goscribbler.com with ‘Giveaway Box Inquiry’ as the subject line. If we’re interested in the promotion, we’ll contact you within a few days.
If I want to interview you, who can I contact?
Email us at hello@goscribbler.com with the subject line ‘Interview Inquiry’ and we’ll see if we can organize a time with our Scribbler founders.
Is Scribbler able to send me a free box in exchange for a review?
We appreciate the consideration to feature Scribbler! Because of limited supplies, we can only send free boxes to those who have a strong social media presence (about 10,000 followers or more per platform). If you are interested in reviewing a box and think you have the qualifications, please email us at hello@goscribbler.com with ‘Box Review Inquiry’ as the subject line. Please include how many followers you currently have and on what platform, relevant information about your channel or profile, and why you think you are suitable to review a Scribbler box. If we are interested, we’ll contact you within a few days and send you a box to review!