I was curious to know how do authors get contracted.
Do they have to do something to be considered for a contract or webnovel staff reaches you out by email if they liked your novel?
If it's the staff then what do you have to do to get noticed by the all mighty senpai?
They approach you. Though, if you do get offered a contract, hire a lawyer to review it.
There is also an application linked to Inkstone, I believe. You can also approach editors directly on Discord.
Acutelittletrap How much would it cost for a REAL lawyer to actually review it?
It simply doesn’t feel worth it.
I’ve seen Writers on here sign up with no hesitation but from their own understanding. Their story even takes slow to update so it makes one wonder on how they’re so lax? Maybe the contract isn’t that poisonous after all?
Contracted author here, just to give my two cents.
I believe you can approach Webnovel for a contract though I am not sure of the method to do so as I was approached by them.
From what I understand the contract mostly restricts the author's contracted work to exist solely on the Webnovel platform unless permission is granted otherwise. You also cannot profit off your work elsewhere nor remove it from Webnovel without their permission.
Webnovel also does not enforce any form of schedule on contracted authors, so there is no pressure on a timetable.
All in all, if you already plan to profit off your work through some other form of publication, go for that. But if you're just writing here as a hobby, it doesn't really hurt you to get contracted. Many of the terms in the contract is just to protect both parties from the worst case scenarios.
Hope this answers some questions :)
No it’s very bad. The worst contract possible
Webnovel also does not enforce any form of schedule on contracted authors, so there is no pressure on a timetable.
i see... no wonder some contract author goes MIA for a long time..well, WN cant do much for them as some translation work also same.
Draekai
So that’s basically the Summary of the Contract huh? You have my thanks. It’s actually a fair contract I suppose. You still earn revenue even after your novel completed right?
HolyDragon17 yes, even after the novel is completed, you can still earn the revenue. The amount depends on the paid spirit stones from new readers who read the novel.
HolyDragon17 you don't need a lawyer to review it. just read through it a couple of times-- it's not too hard to understand if you have decent english skills. also, the editor who contacted you about the contract will also be there to answer any questions, so the entire process is fairly easy!
the contract can be good or bad, depending on what your motivations/goals are. if you loooveeee your novel, your characters, your plot, and you will be eternally sad if you had to sacrifice any of it, don't sign the contract. the contract says that the novel can be picked up by a secondary author hired by webnovel if you drop it, that webnovel can make suggestions for your plot, and that if you write in the same world, the book must be also under the contract. (the good news is that half the things they say on the contract as "consequences" won't actually happen. if you drop your novel but you barely earn them any money (aka not a top author), webnovel's not inclined to put in the effort to hire a secondary author. and also, you're allowed to take as long hiatuses as you want, without consequences, except for not being paid, obviously)
so, if you write your novel without too much attachment to the work, then the contract is awesome! you can get an opportunity that no other beginner novelist can be given. it's really a good contract for beginners who are looking for experience, to improve, and to earn a little extra money on the side.
and yes, after you finish your novel, you will still earn revenue depending on the readers still reading.
it's basically a contract that can't be defined by good or bad. it all depends on how you feel as an author to your work.
for me, I signed it b/c although I love my characters and plot, it's not the end of the world if I have to give it up. I have 20 more ideas and characters (literally) waiting for me to write lol.
Yuki_Qing yeah, that's not something a contract author should do. As it then invokes conditions that can make situations awkward.
The contract does read harsh, and like it was written by someone's grandparent who left the caps lock on while they were typing.
Breaking it in plain English and bluntly. From my understanding.
You sign/sell all rights to story and any thing that belongs to it, e.g series, spin offs, with guarantee of updates to finish (original contract works). In return getting dollars (hopefully in this lifetime) and exposure. They have the right to change the story, but writer must stick to outline sent with contract. Terms are perpetual.
No promote to other revenue channels. Like post a link on a blog where you sell other books, editing services... An example is if you linked your book to your FB account that also directed traffic to your self pub books. Unless you've been given the ok in writing to do so. Also places that you endorse that could compete with WN, like being part of the Wattpad Stars Program. Although WP has a similar rule on this too I'm sure.
Don't plagiarise, or write a story that'll break the law of your country, Hong-Kong or globally. Wiki leaks came to mind as an example. The contract is govern by Hong Kong jurisdiction.
Well, l kind of made that up. There is a code of conduct to uphold once you sign on. It's similar to an office contract and mainly on branding.That's my understanding in a nutshell.
It's not so bad once it's broken down.
Veronica8 yup, saw some not all. Before become premium, all went well. For example, chapter release almost every day, if lucky will get mass release, update readers, etc. After become premium, every thing change and worse is MIA and left us hanging. Know author is not robot and have real life (everyone does), but why change.
If people ask, why not talk directly to that author (for example in discord). If they already MIA in WN, of course same goes to discord too.
Yuki_Qing did their editor release any posts on their whereabouts? Understandable for MIA if a hobby. Premium seems to me requires more commitment. Maybe somethings happened to the writer. I guess the next step would be to ask one of the editors on Discord for an update. If they're able to give it.
yaoyueyi Wow thank you for responding. That was very insightful and helpful! :) The best information I've seen in this Forum
yaoyueyi This was really helpful, thank you. Would it be the same points for a non-exclusive contract?
