TL;DR
Welcome to Storyloft—your home base is the Books page (/manuscripts). Finish the welcome dialog (name → first book → optional tour), explore the sample manuscript The Golden Bird, and use the left sidebar to reach Notes, Covers, Illustrations, and more. Storyloft is built for a desktop writing experience.
Table of contents
- What is Storyloft?
- What you see when you first arrive
- Step-by-step: get oriented
- Tips for your first session
- FAQ
- Related help
User summary
If you just created an account and are searching “Welcome to Storyloft” or “how to get started in Storyloft,” this guide is your orientation. Storyloft is an author platform for drafting manuscripts, organizing notes, designing covers and illustrations, running AI editing with Eddy, and—on eligible plans—publishing print books. New writers land on pricing or the Books dashboard, complete a short welcome flow, and can take an optional product tour. Understanding Books, the sidebar, and the sample manuscript unlocks every other feature in the app.
What it does
Storyloft centers your library on Books. From there you open the manuscript editor, import files, set writing goals, and jump to other tools via the sidebar (Notes, Covers, Illustrations, Data Visualization, and Publish when eligible). First-time visitors also see a welcome dialog that collects an optional first name, requires a first real book (or import), and offers a guided tour. Every new account includes a sample manuscript titled The Golden Bird so you can click around safely before creating your own project.
Steps
Step 1 — Sign in and reach Books
Go to Storyloft and sign in with your email (passwordless code or link). After authentication, new users may visit Subscribe first (/subscribe?signup=1); returning users go to Books at /manuscripts. If you see Preparing your account… or Preparing your workspace…, wait a moment—Storyloft finishes setup and opens Books.
Step 2 — Complete the welcome dialog
On Books, Storyloft may show Welcome to Storyloft!
- Name step — Enter your First name and click Submit, or click Skip.
- Book step — Create your first book: type a Book title and click Create book, or use Upload DOCX, Atticus, or Scrivener.
- Tour step — Choose Yes! Let’s take the tour. or Thanks, not right now.
The book step is required before the app treats your library as fully onboarded (the sample The Golden Bird alone does not count as your first real book).
Step 3 — Learn the Books header and Add Book card
When the dialog is closed, the Books header greets you (Welcome, {FirstName}! or Welcome, Mysterious Scribe!). Use Add Book to start a blank manuscript, or Import File for DOCX / Atticus / Scrivener. Free users may see Upgrade to Pro in the header.
Step 4 — Open the sample manuscript
Click the The Golden Bird card to open the sample in the editor. Explore formatting, Book Controls, and menus without risking your own draft. When you are ready, return to Books and create or import your real project.
Step 5 — Take the home tour (optional)
Click the help icon (Take a tour) in the Books header, or accept the tour from the welcome dialog. Step through Welcome to Storyloft, Sample Manuscript, Writing Goals, Notes, Covers, and Illustrations using Next / Back, then Got it. Close anytime with Close tour.
Step 6 — Explore the left sidebar
Use Navigation in the sidebar:
- Books — your manuscript library
- Notes — research and note library
- Covers — Cover Generator
- Illustrations — characters, artifacts, scenes, gallery
- Data Visualization — datasets and charts (plan features apply)
- Publish — print orders (Unlimited or Lifetime)
- Image Credits — credit balance and purchases
Footer links include Manage Account, Submit Feedback, and Sign Out.
Tips
- Prefer a desktop or laptop—Storyloft shows Built for a desktop writing experience on small screens.
- Create or import a real book early so welcome overlays stop interrupting your session.
- Pricing after signup is normal; you can start free from Subscribe with Start Free, or upgrade with Go Pro / Get Lifetime Access.
- Writing Goals appear on the right of Books on large screens—track words and milestones once you have a project.
FAQ
Where do I go after I sign up for Storyloft?
Most new accounts see pricing at /subscribe first, then the Books dashboard at /manuscripts. Your ongoing home for writing is always Books.
What is The Golden Bird in Storyloft?
The Golden Bird is a sample manuscript seeded for new users. Open it to explore the editor. Creating or importing your own titled book is still required to finish onboarding.
How do I restart the Storyloft product tour?
On the Books page, click the help icon with aria-label Take a tour. You can also choose the tour option if the welcome dialog is still available.
Is Storyloft mobile-friendly?
You can sign in on a phone, but the product is optimized for desktop writing. Use a larger screen for the editor, covers, and publish wizard.
Why can’t I open other pages until I create a book?
Storyloft expects a real first book during onboarding. Until that exists, you may be returned to Books with a preparing overlay. Create a title or import a file to continue.
What should I do in my first 15 minutes?
Finish the welcome dialog, open The Golden Bird, take the tour, then click Add Book or Import File for your own manuscript.