LitArchive: The Free Platform to Read and Write Web Novels Online
Your next favorite story is one chapter away
You start a chapter at midnight. The cliffhanger hits. You tap «next», and the author is a real person you can talk to in the comments, who might write tomorrow’s chapter partly because of what you said.
That’s the idea behind LitArchive, a young storytelling platform where writers publish books chapter by chapter and readers follow along live. It works in English and Armenian, runs in any browser, and is built around one simple promise: writers should get paid fairly without signing their life away.
Here’s everything you need to know, whether you want to read, write, or both.
What is LitArchive? LitArchive (litarchive.com) is a free online platform for reading and publishing web novels chapter by chapter. Readers can read free chapters, unlock paid ones with coins, comment and donate. Writers keep 50% of paid-chapter revenue and 100% of donations (minus payment fees), can cross-post elsewhere until a book earns $100, and get a built-in editor, co-writing tool, AI cover generation, one-click audiobooks and analytics. It is open to users aged 14+ and available in English and Armenian.
What is LitArchive?
LitArchive is a community-driven publishing platform «built by writers, for writers.» Think of it as a home for web novels: long stories released in episodes, the way TV series release episodes.
Three things make it stand out:
- No genre police. Romance, fantasy, horror, thriller, comedy, psychological drama, 18+ (when tagged). The platform doesn’t push authors into trending formats.
- Fair money, written down. A clear 50/50 split on paid chapters and 100% of donations to the author. No hidden conditions.
- No lock-in at the start. You can publish the same book on other sites until it earns real money on LitArchive.
The library already mixes English, Armenian and Russian titles, from detective mysteries like ARAM: The Detective Who Touches Death to fantasy, romance and sports drama. For Armenian-speaking readers in particular, it’s one of the few places to find fresh, original fiction in their own language.
What can readers do on LitArchive?
Reading on LitArchive is free to start, no app download needed. Open litarchive.com on your phone or laptop and go.
- Read free chapters. Many chapters cost nothing. Browse «Trending Now,» «Fresh Arrivals» or the weekly #1 featured story.
- Unlock paid chapters with coins. Authors set their own prices; you buy coins on the platform and spend them chapter by chapter.
- Talk to the author. Comment on chapters, join discussions, ask questions. On a serialized story, your reaction can genuinely shape what comes next.
- Support writers directly. Donations go 100% to the author (excluding payment fees).
- Build your library. Save the stories you follow in My Library.
- Switch language and theme. The interface works in English and Armenian, with light and dark mode for late-night reading.
One honest caveat: digital purchases are final, so sample the free chapters before you buy.
What can writers do on LitArchive?
Writers get a full publishing studio inside the browser, from first draft to first payout.
- Built-in editor. Write, organize and publish chapters in one place. Hit Write and you’re in.
- Co-writing and editing. Invite another LitArchive account (an editor or a co-author) to work on the same chapter with you.
- AI book cover generation. No designer? Generate a cover right on the platform.
- One-click audiobooks. Turn your text into an audiobook without a recording studio.
- Analytics dashboard. Track views, engagement and earnings per book.
- Transparent payouts. See your income and payment history in your dashboard.
You can publish original stories and fanfiction. Original works can be monetized; fanfiction can be posted but not sold as paid chapters.
There’s no forced schedule: you publish at your own pace. The platform does suggest one chapter a day, which is how web-novel audiences grow fastest. You can also edit or delete chapters later, except ones readers have already bought.
How do writers make money on LitArchive?
Writers earn from paid chapters (50/50 split) and reader donations (100% to the author). Here’s how it works in practice.
- Hook readers for free. Your first 19 chapters are free. From chapter 20, you can set a price per chapter.
- Earn 50% of every paid chapter. Revenue is split evenly between you and LitArchive.
- Keep 100% of donations. Readers can tip you anytime; only payment processing fees come off.
- Get paid out through third-party payment providers. A minimum payout threshold may apply.
The $100 rule: freedom first, home later
This is the clever part. While a book has earned less than $100 net for you on LitArchive, you can publish it anywhere else too: no backlinks, no paperwork, no notifications.
Once a book crosses $100, LitArchive becomes the home for its new chapters. Anything already posted elsewhere stays up; nobody asks you to take work down.
LitArchive at a glance: what to check before choosing a writing platform
If you’re comparing LitArchive with Wattpad, Webnovel or other self-publishing sites, these are the questions that matter, and LitArchive’s answers.
| Question | LitArchive’s answer |
|---|---|
| Is it free to read and publish? | Yes, account, publishing and free chapters cost nothing |
| Who can join? | Readers and writers aged 14+ (under 18 with a parent’s permission) |
| Revenue share on paid chapters | 50/50 |
| Donations to authors | 100% to the author, minus payment fees |
| When can I charge? | From chapter 20 |
| Exclusivity | None until a book earns $100 net on the platform |
| Print, translation, audio rights | Stay with the author |
| Genres allowed | All, including tagged mature content |
| Fanfiction | Allowed, not monetizable |
| Writer tools | Editor, co-writing, AI covers, one-click audiobooks, analytics |
| Languages | English and Armenian interface |
| App | Web-based on desktop and mobile; native app planned |
The exclusivity terms are the biggest difference. Exclusive contracts are common in web-novel publishing; LitArchive only asks for a home once a book is actually earning.
What’s coming next to LitArchive
LitArchive is still early, and the roadmap is ambitious. Announced plans include:
- A mobile app with offline reading.
- Comics and webtoon publishing tools. A Comics section is already on the site.
- Writing and reading contests, challenges and events.
- Gamification: achievements, XP, levels and rewards for readers and writers.
- Adaptations of successful stories into comics, manga, animation, video games and series.
That last point is the big vision: a story that starts as a chapter on LitArchive could grow into a whole universe.
How to start writing on LitArchive in 5 minutes
- Go to litarchive.com and click Sign in to create a free account.
- Click Write in the top menu to open the Studio.
- Set up your book: title, genre tags and a cover: upload one or generate it with AI.
- Write and publish Chapter 1 in the built-in editor. Shorter, hook-heavy chapters work best for serialized reading.
- Keep a rhythm. Aim for regular updates (the platform suggests daily) and reply to comments. That’s how a readership grows.
- Turn on paid chapters from Chapter 20 once you have readers hooked, and watch the analytics dashboard.
Just want to read? Skip to step 1, then browse Books or Trending Now.
LitArchive FAQ
Is LitArchive free?
Yes. Creating an account, publishing and reading free chapters cost nothing. Readers pay only to unlock paid chapters with coins.
How much do writers earn on LitArchive?
Writers get 50% of revenue from paid chapters and 100% of reader donations, excluding payment processing fees.
When can I start charging for chapters?
Original works can be monetized from chapter 20 onward. The author sets the price per chapter.
Do I have to publish exclusively on LitArchive?
No, not until a book has earned $100 net on LitArchive. After that, new chapters of that book live on LitArchive, but earlier posts elsewhere can stay up.
Can I publish fanfiction on LitArchive?
Yes, but fanfiction can’t be sold as paid chapters. You can post it on other sites at any time with a link to the LitArchive version.
Does LitArchive have an app?
Not yet. LitArchive works in desktop and mobile browsers; a mobile app with offline reading is planned.
Is LitArchive available in Armenian?
Yes. The interface is available in English and Armenian, and the library includes stories in Armenian, English and Russian.
How old do I need to be to use LitArchive?
Users must be 14 or older. Users under 18 need permission from a parent or legal guardian.
Is mature content allowed?
Yes, as long as it is properly tagged and follows platform rules and local laws.
What happens if someone steals my story?
Authors can report copyright infringement or plagiarism. LitArchive reviews reports and can remove content or suspend accounts.
The verdict: who is LitArchive for?
LitArchive is worth a look if you’re a new writer who wants to test a story without signing an exclusive contract, an author tired of opaque payouts, or a reader hunting for fresh serialized fiction, especially in Armenian.
It’s still early: the community is growing, the app is on the way, and comics tools are coming. But the core deal is already clear and unusually author-friendly: 50/50 on chapters, 100% of donations, rights that stay yours, and freedom to cross-post until your book proves itself.
Ready to try it? Start reading or publish your first chapter on LitArchive today.
