For readers

An author shares their world with you: the people, places and history behind their book. Canopy is where you read what they've shared, and tell them what you think. Nothing to learn, nothing to prepare.

Joining

The author sends you an invite link. Open it, sign in (new to Canopy? It first asks What should we call you?, which doesn't have to be your real name), and pick Your name in this group, the name the author sees. Then Join. Next time, the group is on Canopy's start page under Groups you read in, with Help for readers below it.

Your page

Opening it shows your page:

• New since you last looked: anything the author shared or added since you were last here, marked New (or Updated when a page you have got more text). Mark all as seen clears the list.
• The introduction: a word from the author.
• To read first: where to start. Read as one page puts it all together.
• Shared along the way: what the author shared since.
• Things you know: hidden truths you've been told, without the rest of the page they belong to.

Reader's copy puts everything you have on one page, to read on the bus or print. Links only go to pages you have, so you never land on something that would spoil the story.

The bell at the top counts what's new. Coming back to the tab fetches anything the author shared while you were away; Check for new things in the menu does the same at any time.

When a page you already had gets more text, the new parts are marked New with a soft green tint, so you don't have to read it all again. What you've read is kept in your account, so your phone, tablet and laptop all show the same marks.

Your notes

Notes in the menu is yours: thoughts, questions, where you got lost. Every page you have also has Your note at the bottom. Notes are saved in your account, so they follow you from phone to laptop.

The author can't read them unless you tick Let the author read this note on that note.

Your name and leaving

On your page, Change sets a new name. Leave group takes you out; the author can invite you again.

Back to Canopy in the menu takes you to the start page, with every group you read in.