Circle Guidelines

September 25, 2026

A reading circle is a small group reading one book together. You see where each of you is in the book, the passages you mark, and the notes you share. These guidelines keep a circle a good place to read.

Be kind

Write the way you would talk at a table with friends. Disagree about the book as much as you like, and be gentle with the people.

Keep it suitable for every reader

Circles are open to readers 13 and over, and to younger readers with a parent’s approval. Write with the youngest reader in mind.

Keep private things private

Don’t share anyone’s address, phone number or other personal details, your own included.

What doesn’t belong

There is no tolerance for objectionable content or abuse: nothing hateful, bullying or threatening, nothing unsuitable for young readers, and nothing that could put anyone at risk. Notes like these are removed, and SchriftOhr closes circles that keep breaking these guidelines.

If something is wrong

• Report a note from its ⋯. It is hidden for you straight away, on all your devices, and the circle’s owner sees that it was reported. When two members report the same note, it is held from everyone until the owner looks at it.
• Hide a member from the ⋯ on any of their notes. Their notes and their place in the book leave your view, on all your devices. They aren’t told.
• Tell us. A report can also send the note to SchriftOhr by email, or you can write to us at any time. We read every report.

Who looks after a circle

Whoever starts a circle looks after it. The owner can remove any note, and releases or removes a note held for review. SchriftOhr can close any circle that breaks these guidelines.

A sealed circle

A circle is sealed end to end, so SchriftOhr can’t read it. That is why a report carries the note’s words to us, and why a note is checked against a short list of words on your own device before it is sent.

Questions

Something here unclear? Email me. See also Age Suitability and the privacy policy.