What beta readers see: reading a shared link, unlocking a passphrase, and leaving notes
Your author has shared chapters of a book with you through Pendrilo Online. This article explains how to open the link, unlock it if it has a passphrase, and leave notes for the author.
Opening the link
You don't need a Pendrilo account or any software. Click the link your author sent you, and the book opens in your web browser.
If the page says "This share link isn't available," the link has been revoked, has passed its end date, or isn't correct. Contact the author and ask for a new link.
Unlocking a passphrase
Some shares are protected by a passphrase. If yours is, the page says "This share is locked." Type the passphrase your author gave you and click Unlock.
The welcome box and reading
The first time you open a share, a welcome box explains how it works. Click Got it — start reading to close it.
To move around the book:
- Open Contents to jump to any chapter you've been given.
- Click ← Previous or Next → at the bottom of a chapter.
- Press the left and right arrow keys to go back and forward.
Your link includes only the chapters your author chose for you.
Commenting on a passage
You can attach a note to an exact passage, so the author knows which words you mean.
- - 1. Select the words you want to comment on. A Comment on selection button appears just above them.
- - 2. Click Comment on selection. The passage is quoted in the notes panel.
- - 3. Type your name and your note. Your name is remembered for next time.
- - 4. Click Post note.
Your note stays attached to that line, and the author sees it there.
General notes
The Notes for the author panel sits beside the chapter on a wide screen. On a small screen, open it with the ✎ Notes button at the top. Type a note and click Post note.
To write a general note instead of one about a passage, click Remove selection first. Typos, plot questions and lines that worked for you are all useful.
Answering the author's questions
If the author asked questions, they appear as cards under every chapter, marked "About the whole share." To answer one, click Answer in notes, type your answer, and click Post note. To drop the question and write a general note instead, click Write a general note instead.
Seeing replies
Under Your notes on this chapter, you see the notes you've posted on this link. When the author replies, the reply appears under your note, marked "From the author." A note the author has dealt with shows "✓ Resolved."
Good to know
Read these before you post:
- Once posted, a note can't be edited or deleted. Check your wording before you click Post note.
- Notes belong to a link, not to a person. If two people read from the same link, they can see each other's notes.
- For private notes, ask the author for a link of your own.