New to Web Fiction? Start Here

You've heard about web novels. Maybe someone mentioned Royal Road. Maybe you saw "LitRPG" somewhere and wondered what it meant.

Here's everything you need to know to start reading.

What Is Web Fiction?

Stories published online, chapter by chapter, often for free. Key characteristics:

• Serial format: Published in pieces over time, not all at once
• Often free: Ad-supported, donation-based, or author's choice
• Reader interaction: Comments and feedback during the writing process
• Rapid updates: Daily to weekly releases, typically
• Genre focus: LitRPG, progression fantasy, isekai dominate the space
• Variable length: From short novellas to millions of words

Think TV series pacing applied to reading. Episodes instead of complete books.

Where to Read (Major Platforms)

Royal Road

The biggest English-language platform. Strong LitRPG and progression fantasy focus. Free to read, optional premium features. Active community, rating system, extensive filtering.

Scribble Hub

Strong in romance, LGBTQ+ content, villainess stories. More permissive content policies. Active forums and community.

Webnovel

Massive platform for translated Asian content plus English originals. Freemium model—some chapters locked behind payment.

Wattpad

Teen and YA focus. Strong original content community. More mainstream appeal than other platforms.

Archive of Our Own (AO3)

Fan fiction primarily, but includes original fiction. Non-profit, no ads. Strong tagging system.

Each platform has different:

• Content types and genre strengths
• Community culture and expectations
• Payment models and accessibility
• Interface and reading experience

The Major Genres (Explained)

LitRPG: Fiction with game mechanics. Characters have literal stats, levels, and skills displayed on screen. Numbers go up satisfyingly. If you enjoy video games and want to see that experience translated into fiction, this is your starting point.

Progression Fantasy: Character gets stronger over time through effort. Training montages, breakthrough moments, measurable growth. The core appeal is watching protagonists work hard and become more powerful through dedication and clever thinking.

Isekai: Transported to another world. Usually fantasy, sometimes game-like. Often begins with death and reincarnation. Appeals to readers who dream of escaping mundane life for adventure and second chances.

Cultivation: Eastern-inspired power systems. Martial arts meets meditation. Qi, realms, sects, martial techniques. Draws from Chinese xianxia and xuanhuan traditions with emphasis on personal enlightenment through combat and training.

Slice of Life: Daily life focus. Low stakes, cozy feeling. Character interactions over plot events. Perfect for readers who want comfort reading without constant action or danger.

System Apocalypse: Game-like system appears in our real world. Survivors gain powers, civilization rebuilds. Combines LitRPG mechanics with post-apocalyptic survival scenarios for readers who want both familiar settings and fantasy elements.

These aren't exclusive—many stories combine multiple genres. A cultivation story can have LitRPG elements; an isekai might focus on slice of life rather than adventure.

How Web Fiction Differs from Traditional Books

Pacing: Written for chapter-by-chapter consumption. More hooks, more cliffhangers, different rhythm.

Length: Often MUCH longer than traditional novels. 500k+ words isn't unusual.

Editing: Varies wildly. Some polished, some rough first drafts. Adjust expectations accordingly.

Completion: Many stories are ongoing. Some never finish. Check status before investing heavily.

Interaction: Authors may respond to comments. Community shapes the work.

Polish: Generally less edited than traditional publishing. Trade-off for accessibility and speed.

Recommended Starting Points

Safe entry points for newcomers:

Mother of Learning: Time loop fantasy. Complete. Universally praised. Safe recommendation for anyone.

The Wandering Inn: Isekai slice of life with depth. Ongoing but massive (millions of words already). Cozy and character-driven.

Dungeon Crawler Carl: LitRPG with dark humor. Excellent introduction to the genre. Action-comedy balance.

Beware of Chicken: Comedy cultivation. Subverts tropes while teaching them. Good for cultivation-curious readers.

Super Supportive: Superhero academy. Accessible, recent, well-received. Good for those new to web fiction entirely.

Tips for New Readers

Start with completed works if you hate waiting. Use "completed" filters.

Use rating filters to find quality. 4+ stars usually means solid quality.

Read reviews before committing to long series. Look for mentions of things you care about.

Don't expect traditional publishing polish. Web fiction is first-draft publishing. Quality varies.

Give stories 10-20 chapters before deciding. Many start slow.

It's okay to drop things. No obligation to finish what isn't working for you.

Try multiple platforms to find your preferred interface and community.

The Vocabulary (Terms You'll Encounter)

• MC: Main character
• OP: Overpowered
• Cheat/Golden finger: Special advantage protagonist has
• Face-slapping: Public humiliation of arrogant antagonist
• Young master: Arrogant antagonist archetype (cultivation)
• Hiatus: Story on break
• Dropped: Story abandoned
• POV: Point of view
• Arc: Story section with complete sub-plot

Ongoing vs. Complete (Trade-offs)

Ongoing stories:

• Get content as it's written
• Can influence through feedback
• Participate in community speculation

• Risk of abandonment
• Waiting between chapters
• May change direction unexpectedly

Complete stories:

• Binge at your own pace
• Guaranteed ending exists
• No waiting frustration

• No author interaction
• Harder to discuss (spoiler concerns)
• Already finished being shaped

Neither is better. Personal preference.

Supporting Web Fiction Authors

If you enjoy something, consider:

• Leaving ratings and reviews (helps visibility enormously)
• Commenting on chapters (motivation for authors)
• Following and favoriting (algorithm signals)
• Supporting Patreon/Ko-fi if financially able
• Recommending to others

Web fiction authors often write for free for years. Recognition and support matter.

When You Want Something Specific

Can't find exactly what you want? narrator generates custom fiction:

• Any combination of tropes you prefer
• Your preferred length and pacing
• Specific elements you want included
• Immediate satisfaction, no waiting
• Complete stories every time

If web fiction's variety doesn't have it, maybe generation does.

Jump In

Web fiction is vast, free, accessible, and varied. Millions of words await in genres you didn't know existed.

Pick a platform. Choose a starting point from recommendations. Start reading.

Welcome to web fiction.

Where will you begin?