Why is it so hard for traditional fantasy and Sci fi to be successful on online writing sites?

[WasatchWind]

Long title, yes, I know. And yes, I know about royal road.

In reading stuff on the forums, I'm finding myself more and more surprised at the lack of variety on Wattpad, Scribblehub, Inkitt, etc.

I feel very out of my element. There is so much... sameness on the site. Looking at the stuff that's on the front page or what is recommended to me, it always, always is more of the same.

I'm not asking for requests or anything like that - I just want to ask, is anyone on this site writing non isekai fantasy, and Sci fi that's not just a means to do a gender bender?

 

[IWannaBeAMergirl]

My sci fi isn't just an excuse to genderbend...

If you don't like this site, maybe you should just find somewhere else. If online story sites don't work for you, maybe you should put your story on Amazon. I don't think that people who like "traditional" fantasy are ever going to go searching for it on an online writing site.

 

[Reisinling]

Among other things, competition. Books age much slower than TV shows or games, so you have to fight against a sea of already published works if you work with "older" genres. Not to mention that many classics have much higher quality than most works here (authors skills, but also the support of publishers with editors, test readings, more time to write.. and the simple passage of time, only the best are remembered). LitRPG didn't exist as much for a long time due to.. well, there not being games, and even when games existed they were far more niche. LGBT/genderbender (no idea if that should be included in the LGBT tag?) would be taboo for big publishing houses (at least in "frivolous" works that are no high literature) until mid 2000 I would say.
Finally, demographic and trends. This is just the current trend, notice how we still have shit ton of vampire stories, thought they are slowly decreasing... LitRPG will also eventually slowly die out and be replaced with something else (maybe pro-gamer stories or vtubers?)
Also, I think that people who read on SH and RR, want light, noncommittal toilet reading. It's easier to approach a book you know what to expect from (and than maybe be surprised) than to challenge a 8 volume 30year old classic with important themes.

 

[EternalSunset0]

It's just the market status for websites like this. It actually differs from site to site. For example, for Wattpad, it's more of the YA romance stuff. For here, I noticed that it's mostly the genderbender/LGBT/LitRPG trio. Haven't been to RR but I assume it's a bit different there.

I agree with what Mergirl said that for traditional fantasy, it's just a niche market on online sites like this.

To answer your other question about the site's writers. Yeah, there are non-Isekai stuff here. @LotsChrono's RATH, for example. Pure sci-fi. You should go give it a read if you're up for some cyberpunk-y stuff.

Shameless plug too but my story's not Isekai as well. Not sure if it fills your category of "fantasy" but it's like Persona 4, so if think those are under your definition of "traditional fantasy," my series counts. I intentionally patterned it after stuff I like though, so I don't think I'll paas the test of being unique or what.

 

[Deleted member 45782]

Long title, yes, I know. And yes, I know about royal road.

In reading stuff on the forums, I'm finding myself more and more surprised at the lack of variety on Wattpad, Scribblehub, Inkitt, etc.

I feel very out of my element. There is so much... sameness on the site. Looking at the stuff that's on the front page or what is recommended to me, it always, always is more of the same.

I'm not asking for requests or anything like that - I just want to ask, is anyone on this site writing non isekai fantasy, and Sci fi that's not just a means to do a gender bender?

I am not planning to write isekai, litrpg, or smut. Not atm at least lol. Probably not though. Got ton of other story ideas need to write out...

The stories I have in mind can range from fluffy lighthearted, contemporary, inspired by some myths, dark, etc.

Wattpad does have it. Although it only shows main broad genre categories that's listed on their site, there were many Wattpad specific profiles for many genres. Fantasy. Sci-Fi. I think maybe there was a steampunk one too. Those profiles each had their own follower base and some of them held their own contests.

Inkitt from my brief glance on there looks like if Wattpad just grew up and became an adult. Similar romance cliché on there.

There are some places. I do like fantasy. Favorite genre out of the many ones out there.

Have you heard of Belletristica? I still have yet to research more about it.
Found this on reddit asking for Wattpad alternatives. https://www.writersky.com/
Idk how https://www.penana.com/ is.

 

[Deleted member 45782]

You either have to do some digging through writing platforms to find fantasy genre stories.

Or you can push against it and make your own fantasy stories.
(that's what I plan to do. stories are not popular tropes but still gonna see if can make it push off. gl. :D)

Nab a following and soon others will follow you into fantasy writing. :P

 

[LotsChrono]

Long title, yes, I know. And yes, I know about royal road.

In reading stuff on the forums, I'm finding myself more and more surprised at the lack of variety on Wattpad, Scribblehub, Inkitt, etc.

I feel very out of my element. There is so much... sameness on the site. Looking at the stuff that's on the front page or what is recommended to me, it always, always is more of the same.

I'm not asking for requests or anything like that - I just want to ask, is anyone on this site writing non isekai fantasy, and Sci fi that's not just a means to do a gender bender?

Though I do agree that there are a lot of similar novels, I disagree that it’s hard to find unique ones. You’ve gotta look harder.

My story ‘R. A. T. H’ is doing pretty good for itself, it’s a mix of fantasy and sci-if, a techno-fantasy if you will, about a homunculus in a world that runs on mana, and it has surprisingly hit trending a couple times.

So I’m surely one of those people you want.

And I’m no outlier. Authors like me exists on those sites, but we tend to be less seen due to the rest of the books that are more driven by mass appeal. That isn’t to say those books are bad, though, I myself have written cliches before and written books purely to test the trends as well.

 

[LotsChrono]

It's just the market status for websites like this. It actually differs from site to site. For example, for Wattpad, it's more of the YA romance stuff. For here, I noticed that it's mostly the genderbender/LGBT/LitRPG trio. Haven't been to RR but I assume it's a bit different there.

I agree with what Mergirl said that for traditional fantasy, it's just a niche market on online sites like this.

To answer your other question about the site's writers. Yeah, there are non-Isekai stuff here. @LotsChrono's RATH, for example. Pure sci-fi. You should go give it a read if you're up for some cyberpunk-y stuff.

Shameless plug too but my story's not Isekai as well. Not sure if it fills your category of "fantasy" but it's like Persona 4, so if think those are under your definition of "traditional fantasy," my series counts. I intentionally patterned it after stuff I like though, so I don't think I'll paas the test of being unique or what.

I’d say compared to most things you’ll find on webnovel publishing sites, your story is unique in its own ways due solely to how it’s written and the main driving force (though there being fighting too) being the emotional struggle and development of the characters.

 

[Mynamejeff]

Long title, yes, I know. And yes, I know about royal road.

In reading stuff on the forums, I'm finding myself more and more surprised at the lack of variety on Wattpad, Scribblehub, Inkitt, etc.

I feel very out of my element. There is so much... sameness on the site. Looking at the stuff that's on the front page or what is recommended to me, it always, always is more of the same.

I'm not asking for requests or anything like that - I just want to ask, is anyone on this site writing non isekai fantasy, and Sci fi that's not just a means to do a gender bender?

If you're really only looking for traditional fantasy and sci-fi you should stick with traditional writing. As for variety, you really just have to look for them. There's definitely a wide range of stories. Its just hard to find one specific type because there's so many. You can put filters on your homepage so you won't see specific tags you don't like (gender bender for example).

It's just the market status for websites like this. It actually differs from site to site. For example, for Wattpad, it's more of the YA romance stuff. For here, I noticed that it's mostly the genderbender/LGBT/LitRPG trio. Haven't been to RR but I assume it's a bit different there.

I agree with what Mergirl said that for traditional fantasy, it's just a niche market on online sites like this.

To answer your other question about the site's writers. Yeah, there are non-Isekai stuff here. @LotsChrono's RATH, for example. Pure sci-fi. You should go give it a read if you're up for some cyberpunk-y stuff.

Shameless plug too but my story's not Isekai as well. Not sure if it fills your category of "fantasy" but it's like Persona 4, so if think those are under your definition of "traditional fantasy," my series counts. I intentionally patterned it after stuff I like though, so I don't think I'll paas the test of being unique or what.

Does SH actually have an unusually high amount of gender bender and LGBT stories?
I haven't checked out other sites so I kinda assumed it was just normal.

Long title, yes, I know. And yes, I know about royal road.

In reading stuff on the forums, I'm finding myself more and more surprised at the lack of variety on Wattpad, Scribblehub, Inkitt, etc.

I feel very out of my element. There is so much... sameness on the site. Looking at the stuff that's on the front page or what is recommended to me, it always, always is more of the same.

I'm not asking for requests or anything like that - I just want to ask, is anyone on this site writing non isekai fantasy, and Sci fi that's not just a means to do a gender bender?

Judging from your previous posts from previous threads. You should really stick with traditional books. From what I've seen, you only like traditional fantasy and you won't find much of that in online writing. The answers's pretty obvious as to why there isn't much traditional fantasy in online writing. Its because its the only place most non traditional fantasy and sci fi can exist. This community came from peope wanting to write and read non traditional stories that most publishers would never accept. You want to read traditional writing look for it in traditional media. At this point you're basically complaining why you can't find snow in the jungle and blaming the jungle for it. You're looking in the wrong place. Or you can just write your own story.

 

[Spica66]

IMO, I think something that's not in consumers' (readers) trends need time and patient. Readers like the story that goes straight to the novel's selling point. (Like shot attention span consumer stuff on the internet.) Traditional fantasy doesn't have the impact to grab people's attention from the start.

Just... write not expected to be popular, but for your passion.

 

[LotsChrono]

I am not planning to write isekai, litrpg, or smut. Not atm at least lol. Probably not though. Got ton of other story ideas need to write out...

The stories I have in mind can range from fluffy lighthearted, contemporary, inspired by some myths, dark, etc.

Wattpad does have it. Although it only shows main broad genre categories that's listed on their site, there were many Wattpad specific profiles for many genres. Fantasy. Sci-Fi. I think maybe there was a steampunk one too. Those profiles each had their own follower base and some of them held their own contests.

Inkitt from my brief glance on there looks like if Wattpad just grew up and became an adult. Similar romance cliché on there.

There are some places. I do like fantasy. Favorite genre out of the many ones out there.

Have you heard of Belletristica? I still have yet to research more about it.
Found this on reddit asking for Wattpad alternatives. https://www.writersky.com/
Idk how https://www.penana.com/ is.

It's sad that most people don't know that, beyond browsing the main categories/boards, there is a way to search by tags on Wattpad. Yet, it's even sadder that Wattpad itself doesn't make it obvious. You've gotta put '#' in front of a keyword. Like, if you want steampunk, you put #steampunk

Anyway, don't mind me, just my minor rant on Wattpad. Even though it's my main site. . .

 

[EternalSunset0]

Does SH actually have an unusually high amount of gender bender and LGBT stories?
I haven't checked out other sites so I kinda assumed it was just normal.

I haven't dug too deep into this site, I admit. But yeah, it seems that the main market here (or at least the very popular and visible ones) have to do with those. I won't call it "unusually high" I guess, but it's there.

 

[Deleted member 45782]

there isn't much traditional fantasy in online writing. Its because its the only place most non traditional fantasy and sci fi can exist. This community came from people wanting to write and read non traditional stories that most publishers would never accept.

I agree and can see this.

But as for the stories, I think he is just trying to dig into some places for fantasy. The Internet is a vast sea of stories, I'm pretty sure they'll find some non traditional media online as well. So no, I don't think its exactly trying to find snow in the jungle.

@WakerOfWinds as much as I don't like Wattpad because it has been a mess + that security breach (never quite trust it fully again), i think that is probably the place you'll be looking for if you want to find more works on fantasy genre.

 

[EternalSunset0]

I’d say compared to most things you’ll find on webnovel publishing sites, your story is unique in its own ways due solely to how it’s written and the main driving force (though there being fighting too) being the emotional struggle and development of the characters.

Thanks. I didn't see it that way myself until you gave me a realization haha.

 

[LotsChrono]

IMO, I think something that's not in consumers' (readers) trends need time and patient. Readers like the story that goes straight to the novel's selling point. (Like shot attention span consumer stuff on the internet.) Traditional fantasy doesn't have the impact to grab people's attention from the start.

Just... write not expected to be popular, but for your passion.

Aye, that's the best way to face writing as a starter, when it comes to publishing webnovels online.

 

[Deleted member 45782]

It's sad that most people don't know that, beyond browsing the main categories/boards, there is a way to search by tags on Wattpad. Yet, it's even sadder that Wattpad itself doesn't make it obvious. You've gotta put '#' in front of a keyword. Like, if you want steampunk, you put #steampunk

Anyway, don't mind me, just my minor rant on Wattpad. Even though it's my main site. . .

Yeah. I found it through the app by joining a variety of Wattpad profiles. Such as maybe Horror? Fantasy....etc. etc. can't remember.

Just have to go dig through and search for a bit.

 

[Deleted member 45782]

Among other things, competition. Books age much slower than TV shows or games, so you have to fight against a sea of already published works if you work with "older" genres. Not to mention that many classics have much higher quality than most works here (authors skills, but also the support of publishers with editors, test readings, more time to write.. and the simple passage of time, only the best are remembered). LitRPG didn't exist as much for a long time due to.. well, there not being games, and even when games existed they were far more niche. LGBT/genderbender (no idea if that should be included in the LGBT tag?) would be taboo for big publishing houses (at least in "frivolous" works that are no high literature) until mid 2000 I would say.
Finally, demographic and trends. This is just the current trend, notice how we still have shit ton of vampire stories, thought they are slowly decreasing... LitRPG will also eventually slowly die out and be replaced with something else (maybe pro-gamer stories or vtubers?)
Also, I think that people who read on SH and RR, want light, noncommittal toilet reading. It's easier to approach a book you know what to expect from (and than maybe be surprised) than to challenge a 8 volume 30year old classic with important themes.

ah I see...twilight still hasn't quite died down...
edward....what took you so long? what's the take and where's the stake?
althu i think taylor is still going pretty strong in all other platforms..

 

[BenJepheneT]

Does SH actually have an unusually high amount of gender bender and LGBT stories?
I haven't checked out other sites so I kinda assumed it was just normal.

It's not unusually high but there's a BIG demand for it. If you like writing queer stuff you're literally in Smaug's treasure chamber in here

 

[LotsChrono]

It's not unusually high but there's a BIG demand for it. If you like writing queer stuff you're literally in Smaug's treasure chamber in here

You're not wrong. In fact, you're right.

But that demand will never top the demand for smut stories.

 

[Deleted member 45782]

You're not wrong. In fact, you're right.

But that demand will never top the demand for smut stories.

SMUT, SMUT, SMUT.
srry jk lol.

but i can feel some are chanting for it...