• Diss

  • I feel a bit discouraged.

So I just saw a notification in my inbox and while reading it I got excited, until I saw the rest of it. I'm talking about that event announcement which says something like "determine the next trending novel by yourself" at first just to follow it up with stuff about the trail reads.
I don't think I heard anything about webnovel suppressing uncontracted authors but I wouldn't be surprised if they're doing so. They're a business so promoting their contracted works is obvious, but recently I'm led to believe the only way for a novel to get in the higher ranks is by signing that contract.
The writing section which was one of the reasons this app became famous now only looks like a way for webnovel to fish for potential works to milk.
I don't think I've ever seen an uncontracted novel get in the top 200, which is probably why they decreased it from the 500 it was (you can't see the ranking of a novel unless it's within the top 200)
I know I know. Webnovel is a private company and for them profit comes first. But it kinda hurts that the only way for my book which has more than a 300k words while still at its beginning will never get much recognition unless I sign the "not horrible" contract they offered is quite discouraging. I know many feel the same and I wouldn't be surprised if many decided to sign because of that, I'm considering doing the same. But I just hate the fact that I have to sell my baby to them if I hope to ever grow on this platform.
What do you think? Did any of you feel the same at some point?

    There's an original uncontracted novel in the top rankings. Chrysallis. So, don't feel discouraged. Besides, it's not like WN's marketting strategy always helps. It's not like all contracted originals get popular just because WN featured them one time or two. It still depends on the writer's skills and well, luck, I guess. So, there's no need to feel pressured to sign the contract.

      Whycanti But I just hate the fact that I have to sell my baby to them if I hope to ever grow on this platform.

      You can sign the non-exclusive contract if you want to keep the copyright. That way your books will appear in rankings but wont get as many features.

          Whycanti yup u need to ask in discord. they reply there faster, but know that their work timings are 9am to 6pm GMT+8 Monday to friday.

              Whycanti
              I feel the same way, but I'm not willing to sell my book ether lol one I want it my book and don't want to give it away to anyone, yet the other is no one really wants my book and third I know they want give me enough for me to want to give my book up to a contract. But yeah I get what you mean

              It sad know I can't even go do the promotion on my story because he'll even though it's only 21 chapters they tell me I gave to do a new story even though I know some people that have 100 chapter can still put there story in those events. Makes me sad.

              So yeah I know what you mean it is discouraging

                  Whycanti I completely agree with you.. actually it happened with one of my favourite writer ..she eventually gave up ..winding up her work very abruptly

                    Whycanti I don't think I heard anything about webnovel suppressing uncontracted authors but I wouldn't be surprised if they're doing so. They're a business so promoting their contracted works is obvious, but recently I'm led to believe the only way for a novel to get in the higher ranks is by signing that contract.

                    I've mentioned it before, but free works are handicapped in the sense that the default filter for the power rankings is contracted only works. (They have given a low blow to translators as well, considering they are also excluded by the default filter)

                    You will definitely have far better opportunities on the platform if you do sign the contract, and you are right in that they are a business. They have a financial incentive to promote contracted works. (But when promotion is acquired by cutting down the competition, I truly consider that foul play. It is destructive, not constructive)

                    As for your contract. Look at it this way, people get very touchy feely about copyright to their work in the sense of "it's mine, it's mine, it's mine". However, until it is turned into a product, it is essentially worthless. This should honestly be the least of your concern.

                    I would suggest reading over the contract and its terms and conditions. If you find them to be ones you can agree to, sign the contract. If you can't agree to them, don't sign it. Webnovel would definitely like you to sign it and offer you benefits for doing so, but the final decision is entirely up to you. If they will offer you a non exclusive contract, unless you are planning on publishing elsewhere, I would say sign the exclusive one. There's no point in going non exclusive just to keep copyright because "I want what's mine because it's mine".

                        I think the bigger concern in the "its mine" debate is how the original contract was worded so any follow up works would also 'fall victim' of the contract. Ie. You sell a book to them and want to do a sequel or another book in the same metaverse, the contract was worded that not only webnovel owned the rights to the original book but could, conceivably also then own the follow up book as well.

                        While this issue never came about, it was the scary wording of the contract which made people leery, much like the rumor (baseless) that original writers could have their book hijacked by the site if at any point they could not meet posting regulations. It was a silly rumor, but it DID make alot reconsider signing off their book on the fictious "what if".

                          How common is it to a sign contract with WN? Also, just curious. How likely is it that your book would reach a million views and thousands of collections if it is not contracted? :) I have material for at least 4-5 books, totaling around 1000+ chapters (in my mind of course) but wondering if it will ever reach that level of broad audience without contract.

                            Darth_Xiane You are essentially signing over your work and all it entails. Whilst there is some pause in thought when signing over all rights to it, it is still an intangible asset. Most of this doesn't even have a value at the point of contracting, and how value it will become is a joint effort between the write and company.

                            As for kicking you off your, now their, novel. this is one of the extreme things which shed a bad light. I hold issue with the power distribution, penalty, and right of priority within the contract, but if I am choosing to be exclusive with Webnovel and all that entails, handing over copyright isn't all that big of a deal in comparison.

                            The what if is one of the problems that most people held with it wasn't whether they would enforce certain clauses of the contract, but that they could.

                                fantasybliss30 It's very common, especially as it gives you much better opportunities on the platform and the potential of revenue. If you write a good novel, those kinds of numbers are definitely possible. I am currently nearly at chapter 70 of my book and I have 2k collections and 600k views.

                                    Web Novel Novel Ask