endoperez
2016-11-25, 12:15 PM
I didn't see a thread for this, so I decided to make one.
Web fiction, web serials, web novels, web originals etc are basically people publishing their works, online, often for free. Most of the writers are not (yet) professional authors. Most of the time, there's little to no editing. That said, when you strike gold, it's like getting to read the first draft of a professional novelist's breakthrough work. On TvTropes, these are under "Web Original" label.
These are to books what webcomics are to print comics. That is, the same thing, often a bit less polished, but still loved and enjoyed by many. I've read some exceptional ones. Just like with webcomics, finding the good ones can be difficult. So, that's where this thread comes in! Hopefully other people can also add in their recommendations or experiences.
Anything that's published online, legally, is welcome. I know some fan fiction stories are actually good, but I haven't really read any, mostly because I haven't been part of the fandoms of the few stories I've heard of. Most people here probably prefer English stories, so that'd be a plus.
There are also various sites with English translations of Japanese web novels and light novels, or Chinese wuxia or xianxia novels. I think those are illegal since no one asked for permissions from authors or other right holders, but if someone knows a legal one, those would be fine too.
_______________________________
Worm by Wildbow (J.C. McCrae)
Completed. Huge (like, longer than the Lord of the Rings trilogy)
Excellent prose, typos are rare, but a bit wordy for many people's tastes.
Wildbow is perhaps the most well-known writer of web fiction currently, and IMO his reputation is well deserved. I've read Worm, a dark take on superhero genre, and it was beautiful, brilliant and dark.
One of the high points is the ingenious use of all sorts of original superpowers, taking various aspects and ideas to at-times terrifying conclusions. Examples: ability to control glass; mind-control through manipulation of love; ability to change, control and manipulate human biology (she's a hero, thankfully, and well deserves the name Panacea); mad science through miniaturization of technology and super-efficient energy systems; superhuman programming ability.
An introverted teenage girl with an unconventional superpower, Taylor goes out in costume to find escape from a deeply unhappy and frustrated civilian life. Her first attempt at taking down a supervillain sees her mistaken for one, thrusting her into the midst of the local ‘cape’ scene’s politics, unwritten rules, and ambiguous morals. As she risks life and limb, Taylor faces the dilemma of having to do the wrong things for the right reasons.
Official description (http://parahumans.wordpress.com/about/)
Direct link to first chapter (https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2011/06/11/1-1/)
Wildbow went on to write Pact and Twig. I'm hoping someone else will write up blurbs for them. :smalltongue:
_______________________________
A Practical Guide to Evil by erraticerrata (David Verburg)
Ongoing. Currently on book 2, books are of average-ish novel length.
The writing is good, but typos are common.
A wonderful young-adult fantasy where the Heroes and Villains are absurdly powerful. They're like D&D characters in a world of level 1 Commoners. Additionally, both heroes and villains tend to act within their roles - such as the Wandering Bard appearing just in time to interrupt a duel between good and evil, complete with badly-strung lute (dun-dun-DUN) and some pretty brutal putdowns.
It's funny, makes fun of all sorts of overused tropes, and it has fantastic banter.
Evil Empire attacks, Kingdom is in danger, Heroes appear at a nick of time. That's how it used to be. 30 years ago, a certain group of villains seemingly... won. The kingdom has fallen. Empire stands triumphant. It's not that these villains are more powerful. They are practical. The orcs are organized in legions, supported by goblin sappers. All the orphans of the kingdom are put into orphanages, fed, educated, and taught respectable trades (excluding those of farmer, stablehand and others of similarly high heroic potential). Enter Catherine Foundling, an orphan, who fights dirty, wins more than she loses, and who sees the suffering of the people of her Kingdom. She has a plan. She will... join the Legions of Evil and go up the ladder until she is the iron hand of the empire, to make sure said hand will not be used strangle her people.
Official description (https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/summary/)
Table of concents (https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/table-of-contents/)
Link to prologue (https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/prologue/)
_______________________________
Mother of Learning by nobody103
Ongoing. Consists of three arcs, two completed. About 60 chapters total right now.
Excellent writing, typos are very rare.
The best take on the "there's a time loop, and only I remember what's going to happen within it" idea I've ever read or seen. It takes the premise, and turns it into the backbone of a fantasy story with interesting magic system and a slowly unfolding mystery of the whys, whats, whos and hows of the time loop.
It's a fantasy story, a bit of a cross between Harry Potter and a more traditional fantasy romp. The main character starts at a school and the first arc focuses on him learning all sorts of skills (and introducing the magic system to the reader), and once he's grown danger and adventure become more common. The series is a bit low on action, if that's what you're looking for, but the time loop is used incredibly well. The main character changes and grows during the years he spends in the loop, the time loop is used to introduce various ethical and metaphysical ideas, it's just overall a fantastic story. In my opinion, once it's completed, it could pretty much find a publisher as-is.
Description on novel updates (https://www.fictionpress.com/s/2961893/1/Mother-of-Learning)
Direct link to Chapter 1 (https://www.fictionpress.com/s/2961893/1/Mother-of-Learning)
_______________________________
Tales of Wyre by Sepulchrave
Unfinished (???)
Very well written, no typos to speak of, but the structure is more like that of a verbal story caught into text. It doesn't really have the structure of a book.
It's a continuous story from a group's RPG campaign. I probably originally found it after it was linked in this very site! It's high-level D&D, and themes include Paladins, theology, lawful judgement & punishment of evil VS good and merciful redemption; and of extremely powerful mages (the characters start close to Epic levels, and get there within the story). I've started it several times, and always enjoy it. As the story slows down a bit and loses focus, so do I, and thus I never actually finished it. I fondly remember it, though, so I recommend it even if the story doesn't actually have a proper structure or conclusion.
Story reposted and collected into a forum thread without comments (http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?58227-Tales-of-Wyre)
Original (?) story thread, with over a hundred of pages of posts for over a decade (http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?130712-Aeon-(updated-10-9-14)). This seems to have a different starting point.
_______________________________
Stefan Gagne
I'm not yet familiar with Stefan Gagne's writings, except by name and fame, but I'm just about to give some of his writings a go. He has published (under his own name and the Twoflower alias) works including Sailor Nothing, Anacronauts and City of Angles. Also Slayers Trilogy, which seems to be a rather very well received piece of anime fanfiction.
http://stefangagne.com/
_______________________________
Beyond? by Andur
Completed. 1004 pages.
A fantasy story with themes more commonly seen in light novels. The main character is a very powerful magician on a dying world. He sends his consciousness into another world, intending to escape his own. On the new world, he easily learns all the magical skills and becomes overpowered magi-tek wizard. Enter school shenanigans, love interest, family feuds, political conflict, world-ending conflict etc. in the typical high fantasy high stakes fashion.
http://royalroadl.com/fiction/2850
_______________________________
Web Fiction Guide
Web Fiction Guide is a site about original fiction published in English, online. There's rankings, reviews, guides and so on. It's very easy to find e.g. popular fantasy novels, or editors' picks in the romance category, or whatever.
http://webfictionguide.com/
_______________________________
Royal Road Legends
An online community of writers whose stories are clearly inspired by various Asian light novels, web novels and also manga/anime/related works.
http://royalroadl.com/welcome
Web fiction, web serials, web novels, web originals etc are basically people publishing their works, online, often for free. Most of the writers are not (yet) professional authors. Most of the time, there's little to no editing. That said, when you strike gold, it's like getting to read the first draft of a professional novelist's breakthrough work. On TvTropes, these are under "Web Original" label.
These are to books what webcomics are to print comics. That is, the same thing, often a bit less polished, but still loved and enjoyed by many. I've read some exceptional ones. Just like with webcomics, finding the good ones can be difficult. So, that's where this thread comes in! Hopefully other people can also add in their recommendations or experiences.
Anything that's published online, legally, is welcome. I know some fan fiction stories are actually good, but I haven't really read any, mostly because I haven't been part of the fandoms of the few stories I've heard of. Most people here probably prefer English stories, so that'd be a plus.
There are also various sites with English translations of Japanese web novels and light novels, or Chinese wuxia or xianxia novels. I think those are illegal since no one asked for permissions from authors or other right holders, but if someone knows a legal one, those would be fine too.
_______________________________
Worm by Wildbow (J.C. McCrae)
Completed. Huge (like, longer than the Lord of the Rings trilogy)
Excellent prose, typos are rare, but a bit wordy for many people's tastes.
Wildbow is perhaps the most well-known writer of web fiction currently, and IMO his reputation is well deserved. I've read Worm, a dark take on superhero genre, and it was beautiful, brilliant and dark.
One of the high points is the ingenious use of all sorts of original superpowers, taking various aspects and ideas to at-times terrifying conclusions. Examples: ability to control glass; mind-control through manipulation of love; ability to change, control and manipulate human biology (she's a hero, thankfully, and well deserves the name Panacea); mad science through miniaturization of technology and super-efficient energy systems; superhuman programming ability.
An introverted teenage girl with an unconventional superpower, Taylor goes out in costume to find escape from a deeply unhappy and frustrated civilian life. Her first attempt at taking down a supervillain sees her mistaken for one, thrusting her into the midst of the local ‘cape’ scene’s politics, unwritten rules, and ambiguous morals. As she risks life and limb, Taylor faces the dilemma of having to do the wrong things for the right reasons.
Official description (http://parahumans.wordpress.com/about/)
Direct link to first chapter (https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2011/06/11/1-1/)
Wildbow went on to write Pact and Twig. I'm hoping someone else will write up blurbs for them. :smalltongue:
_______________________________
A Practical Guide to Evil by erraticerrata (David Verburg)
Ongoing. Currently on book 2, books are of average-ish novel length.
The writing is good, but typos are common.
A wonderful young-adult fantasy where the Heroes and Villains are absurdly powerful. They're like D&D characters in a world of level 1 Commoners. Additionally, both heroes and villains tend to act within their roles - such as the Wandering Bard appearing just in time to interrupt a duel between good and evil, complete with badly-strung lute (dun-dun-DUN) and some pretty brutal putdowns.
It's funny, makes fun of all sorts of overused tropes, and it has fantastic banter.
Evil Empire attacks, Kingdom is in danger, Heroes appear at a nick of time. That's how it used to be. 30 years ago, a certain group of villains seemingly... won. The kingdom has fallen. Empire stands triumphant. It's not that these villains are more powerful. They are practical. The orcs are organized in legions, supported by goblin sappers. All the orphans of the kingdom are put into orphanages, fed, educated, and taught respectable trades (excluding those of farmer, stablehand and others of similarly high heroic potential). Enter Catherine Foundling, an orphan, who fights dirty, wins more than she loses, and who sees the suffering of the people of her Kingdom. She has a plan. She will... join the Legions of Evil and go up the ladder until she is the iron hand of the empire, to make sure said hand will not be used strangle her people.
Official description (https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/summary/)
Table of concents (https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/table-of-contents/)
Link to prologue (https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/prologue/)
_______________________________
Mother of Learning by nobody103
Ongoing. Consists of three arcs, two completed. About 60 chapters total right now.
Excellent writing, typos are very rare.
The best take on the "there's a time loop, and only I remember what's going to happen within it" idea I've ever read or seen. It takes the premise, and turns it into the backbone of a fantasy story with interesting magic system and a slowly unfolding mystery of the whys, whats, whos and hows of the time loop.
It's a fantasy story, a bit of a cross between Harry Potter and a more traditional fantasy romp. The main character starts at a school and the first arc focuses on him learning all sorts of skills (and introducing the magic system to the reader), and once he's grown danger and adventure become more common. The series is a bit low on action, if that's what you're looking for, but the time loop is used incredibly well. The main character changes and grows during the years he spends in the loop, the time loop is used to introduce various ethical and metaphysical ideas, it's just overall a fantastic story. In my opinion, once it's completed, it could pretty much find a publisher as-is.
Description on novel updates (https://www.fictionpress.com/s/2961893/1/Mother-of-Learning)
Direct link to Chapter 1 (https://www.fictionpress.com/s/2961893/1/Mother-of-Learning)
_______________________________
Tales of Wyre by Sepulchrave
Unfinished (???)
Very well written, no typos to speak of, but the structure is more like that of a verbal story caught into text. It doesn't really have the structure of a book.
It's a continuous story from a group's RPG campaign. I probably originally found it after it was linked in this very site! It's high-level D&D, and themes include Paladins, theology, lawful judgement & punishment of evil VS good and merciful redemption; and of extremely powerful mages (the characters start close to Epic levels, and get there within the story). I've started it several times, and always enjoy it. As the story slows down a bit and loses focus, so do I, and thus I never actually finished it. I fondly remember it, though, so I recommend it even if the story doesn't actually have a proper structure or conclusion.
Story reposted and collected into a forum thread without comments (http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?58227-Tales-of-Wyre)
Original (?) story thread, with over a hundred of pages of posts for over a decade (http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?130712-Aeon-(updated-10-9-14)). This seems to have a different starting point.
_______________________________
Stefan Gagne
I'm not yet familiar with Stefan Gagne's writings, except by name and fame, but I'm just about to give some of his writings a go. He has published (under his own name and the Twoflower alias) works including Sailor Nothing, Anacronauts and City of Angles. Also Slayers Trilogy, which seems to be a rather very well received piece of anime fanfiction.
http://stefangagne.com/
_______________________________
Beyond? by Andur
Completed. 1004 pages.
A fantasy story with themes more commonly seen in light novels. The main character is a very powerful magician on a dying world. He sends his consciousness into another world, intending to escape his own. On the new world, he easily learns all the magical skills and becomes overpowered magi-tek wizard. Enter school shenanigans, love interest, family feuds, political conflict, world-ending conflict etc. in the typical high fantasy high stakes fashion.
http://royalroadl.com/fiction/2850
_______________________________
Web Fiction Guide
Web Fiction Guide is a site about original fiction published in English, online. There's rankings, reviews, guides and so on. It's very easy to find e.g. popular fantasy novels, or editors' picks in the romance category, or whatever.
http://webfictionguide.com/
_______________________________
Royal Road Legends
An online community of writers whose stories are clearly inspired by various Asian light novels, web novels and also manga/anime/related works.
http://royalroadl.com/welcome