Public interactions guidelines and moderation

We built Ellipsus to be a space where writers can share their work and connect with readers on their own terms. We do not monitor the content you write privately within Ellipsus, and we encourage respect for intellectual property, ethical expression, and creative expression (including transformative works e.g. fan fiction; transform away!). When interacting on public work, guidelines on conduct and content should align with our Terms of Service.

Author control comes first

When you share a public document via Reader link with comments enabled, you are in control of that space. You can:

• Delete comments on your work.

• Turn comments on or off at any time.

• Shape the tone and boundaries of your own Reader space.

We (the Ellipsus team) will not step in to manage everyday disagreements, criticism, or differences in opinion. If something feels off but doesn’t violate our Terms of Service, it’s yours to handle or remove.

When Ellipsus steps in

While we don’t moderate everyday interactions, we can intervene in cases where comments violate our platform-wide policies.

This includes:

• Targeted harassment, abuse, or attacks toward authors or other readers

• Threats or encouragement of harm

• Plagiarism or sharing others’ work without permission or credit

• Impersonation or misleading identity

• Illegal content or activity (including scams)

These are violations of our Terms of Service. When they occur, they move beyond author-managed space and into Ellipsus’ responsibility.

What typically doesn’t qualify for intervention

• Criticism of your work (even if harsh)

• Disagreements

• Interpretations you don’t agree with

• Comments that are annoying, off-topic, or low-quality

In these cases, the best tool is usually the simplest—delete the comment, or turn comments off.

Reporting a comment

If you believe a comment crosses the line into a policy violation, please reach out to us at support@ellipsus.com and include:

• A link to the Reader document

• Link(s) to the specific comment(s) in question

• Any relevant context or patterns (e.g. repeated behavior, multiple accounts)

The more specific your report, the faster we can assess what’s happening.

What happens next

Once we receive a report, here’s how we’ll handle it:

• We’ll review the reported content in context

• We may reach out for additional details if needed

• We’ll evaluate whether the behavior violates our Terms of Service

If a violation has occurred, we may:

• Remove the comment

• Issue a direct warning to the user

• Revoke the user’s access to the document in question

• In extreme cases, restrict or remove account access to Ellipsus services

If no violation is found:

• We’ll close the report and let you know.

If the situation is unclear:

• We may request more information or monitor for patterns of behavior before taking action.

Appeals and follow-up

If you believe we’ve made the wrong decision, you’re always welcome to follow up with additional context. When possible, a different team member will review the case.