Legal
Privacy Policy
Last updated: August 2026
1. What we collect
We store your email address, display name, account type (author or reader), and the profile information you choose to provide (bio, genre preferences, social links). We also store records of your campaigns, requests, and reviews.
2. How we use it
Your information is used to operate the platform — matching readers with books, tracking review deadlines and reputation, and sending notifications about your requests and reviews. We never sell your data.
3. What others see
Your display name, genre preferences, and review history may be visible to other community members. You control your privacy settings from your account settings. Authors can choose whether to show review counts and interest meters publicly.
4. Manuscript files
Manuscript files uploaded by authors are stored privately and never offered for download. Approved readers read them only inside The Early Shelf's in-app reader, where each view is watermarked to the reader. Access — who opened a manuscript, when, and how much they were allowed to read — is logged to protect authors' work.
5. Your rights
You can deactivate your account or request deletion at any time from your settings. Deletion requests are processed within 30 days.
6. Contact
Privacy questions? Visit our contact page.