Frequently Asked Questions
General
Do I need crypto to use Knovel? To read on Knovel, no. You can browse and read books without a wallet.
To publish on Knovel, yes — you need a connected crypto wallet. The wallet is used to sign the transaction that registers your IP on-chain. You don't need to hold any cryptocurrency while Knovel operates on the Aeneid testnet, because testnet transactions are free.
What wallet should I use? Knovel connects via Thirdweb and supports MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, and any WalletConnect-compatible wallet. If you don't have one, MetaMask is the most straightforward starting point — download it free at metamask.io.
What chain is Knovel on? Knovel currently operates on Story Protocol's Aeneid testnet. Mainnet migration is planned — see the Roadmap for timing.
Is Knovel free to use? Reading is free. Publishing is free on testnet. When Knovel moves to mainnet, there will be small gas fees for on-chain actions (publishing, updating rights). We'll communicate pricing clearly before that transition.
Publishing & Ownership
What exactly gets registered on-chain when I publish? Your wallet address (as creator), a content hash pointing to your book's metadata on IPFS, your license terms, and a publication timestamp. This information is public and permanent.
Can I delete my book from the blockchain? No. On-chain records are permanent. You can unpublish your book from Knovel's platform (removing it from public view), but your IP asset record on Story Protocol remains. This is by design — the permanence is what makes the ownership meaningful.
What if I published under a wallet I no longer have access to? Your IP asset is tied to that wallet address. If you lose access to the wallet, you lose the ability to update your on-chain rights settings. Keep your seed phrase safe. Knovel cannot recover access to a lost wallet.
Can I publish under a pen name? Yes. Your display name on Knovel can be anything — it doesn't have to match your real name or your wallet address. Your wallet address is what's recorded on-chain, not your Knovel display name.
Reading & Readers
Can I download books to read offline? Not currently. Offline reading is on the roadmap.
Are books available as EPUB or PDF files? Books are read through Knovel's built-in reader. Exporting to EPUB or PDF is a planned feature, subject to each author's permission settings.
How does my reading progress sync across devices? Progress syncs automatically when you're logged into the same account. Log in on any device and you'll pick up where you left off.
Derivative Works
How do I know if I can create a derivative work from a book? Check the License section on the book's page. If derivative works are enabled, it will show the license type (Non-Commercial Social Remixing or Commercial Remix). If no license information is shown, derivative works are not permitted for that book.
What happens to my derivative work if the original author turns off derivative permissions? Existing registered derivative works continue under the license terms that were in place when they were created. Turning off derivative permissions only affects new derivative works going forward.
How do royalties work for derivative works? If you create a commercial derivative work under a Commercial Remix license and it earns revenue on Knovel, a percentage flows automatically to the original author's wallet via Story Protocol's royalty module. The royalty percentage is set by the original author and is visible on the book page before you start.
What if I transfer my NFT (IP asset)? Transferring the IP asset NFT transfers the on-chain ownership record. Royalties from derivative works would flow to the new owner's address. This is a significant action — do not transfer your IP asset unless you understand the implications fully.
Technical
What happens if Knovel shuts down? Your on-chain IP registration on Story Protocol exists independently of Knovel. Your content metadata on IPFS also exists independently. Knovel's platform data (your profile, reading history, reviews) would not be recoverable, but your IP record and authorship would remain on-chain.
Is my content stored on the blockchain? The content itself is stored on IPFS, not directly on the blockchain. What's stored on-chain is the IPFS content hash (CID) — a pointer to the content. This means the content can be retrieved by anyone with the CID, and the on-chain record proves what the content was at the time of registration.
Can Knovel change my license terms without my permission? No. License terms are set on-chain and can only be updated by a transaction signed by your wallet. Knovel does not have the ability to modify your on-chain records.
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