Royal Road

[R. C.]

Has anyone used, or is willing to comment on, these guys: Royalty Road?

Thanks!
R.C.

[alhawke]

I haven't. And I don't know. But I recall seeing someone ask about this on another writer board a few months ago. The silence does not bode well for them...

[TimothyEllis]

My understanding of Royal Road is that's where you go to publish fan fiction.

A lot of starting out authors go there to get readers, thinking they wouldn't do any good on Kindle.

In comparison to Wattpad and the rest, RR would seem to be minor league.

But I'd still call them a content site, not a publishing platform.

Publishing there makes you a content creator, not an author. Doubtless people will disagree with me.

[Bill Hiatt]

As I recall, the reviews even of Wattpad are pretty mixed. Some people have used it as a launching pad, but it's apparently relatively difficult to do.

The whole idea of handing out writing in hopes of building a fan base seems as if it favors the website far more than the author. The website gets to draw people in (and presumably make revenue from their premium offerings), and the author gets exposure--maybe. The question for me would be how many of the people reading stuff for free eventually become paying customers.

[jaxonreed]

I've tried several of these sites and Royal Road is my favorite. They do not pay but it is a place to garner fans and support. They cater to young male readers looking for progression fantasies and litRPG. Authors who hit it big with fans there may transition to Patreon support. I never made it that big over there, but I've launched a couple series with great success. Reviews are generally brutal. They are looking for specific fantasy genres and tropes and gripe if your story does not deliver. However, if someone likes you, they'll go and buy everything of yours they can find.

TL/DR: there's no money in it, but it's a nice place to start a fantasy series to gain support if you're willing to brave the elements.