Online novels are one of the most consumed digital content these days as anyone can easily browse books via their smartphones or other mobile devices and read anywhere they go.
When you’re stuck in Manila traffic, or when you just want to relax after an exhausting day, bibliophiles can now turn to Webnovel to read during their free time. The fun part is not just the convenience but the fact that you can browse dozen of categories! If people, especially avid fans of online literature, would delineate Webnovel in one word, it would definitely be “paradise.”
Webnovel is a fictional stories hub launched in 2017 and the overseas portal of China Literature, which is China’s largest online literature platform. They provide every reader an amazing and dynamic reading experience through their website and mobile application, offering a wide array of contents from categories such as fantasy, sci-fi, romance, martial arts and magical realism.
Aside from that, Webnovel offers users an interesting and diversified interactive community service, where they can easily understand diversified culture by following updates, posting comments, learning the culture behind a work, publishing fan fictions, etc.
Fantasy and romance novels on Webnovel are extremely popular in the Philippines. As of November, 2018, 30% of Webnovel’s global readers are Filipino readers. Nearly thousands of local authors are creating their stories on Webnovel too. Anjeeriku’s PS I’m (not) Over You and Lynerparel’s Adopted Soldier are among top titles of them. Active readers spend over 1.5 reading hours daily.
Webnovel had their first fan meeting in Manila, Philippines, last November 24, 2018. Webnovel representatives Sandra Chen with her team, editors and translators, together with Filipino authors Anjeeriku (author of the popular “PS. I’m (Not) Over You” that reached over 4 million views) and Lynerparel (author of “Adopted Soldier”), greeted Pinoy fans during the event.
The good thing about Webnovel is that they give opportunities to aspiring writers who would like to contribute and share their stories and novels online. Another interesting fact about this fictional stories hub is that it lets the readers support their favorite authors and translators in different forms. While the active readers spend over 1.5 reading hours daily, the authors and translators get further motivated to be more productive and to deliver better works.
Speaking of better works, there’s also a huge chance for a novel to get adapted into TV series, comic illustrations, or graphic visuals for video games once it gets popular. This way, the author will get a chance to receive more royalty fee for his/her work.
During an exclusive interview with InqPOP!, Lynerparel shared that the readers’ comments inspire him the most to create novels and make something like his prominent work, “Adopted Soldier,” that gathered millions of views online.
Lynerparel, who gained popularity in America and in Cebu, said that watching animes inspires him to come up with novel concepts.
“When I watch an anime, I feel something within me and I just want to write. Sometimes I even say, I think I can make something better than that,” he said.
The reason why his main character, Alexander, is relatable to many readers is because he based his personality from his real-life sister whose name is Alex. “I removed [the] emotional side of Alex and then whatever remains, it becomes [Alexander] in the novel.” he said.
When asked what can he share with aspiring writers who wanted to try writing a novel, he said: “If you feel like writing, write it down. I’m sure whatever passion that you have inside will get through to the reader. If you write something based on what you are feeling at the moment [that] it’s so pure and so raw, when somebody reads it, then might actually feel it.”
After conducting a user survey in Manila, Sandra Chen, the general manager of Webnovel, told InqPOP! that what makes them a better platform for readers is that they provide lots of contents, cater good reading experience and accessibility to users, and understanding its contents without complexities.
For first time readers of Webnovel, the translator CK Talon suggests “The King’s Avatar,” and for those who loves to explore the diversity of Eastern fantasy and adventure, he recommends to read “True Martial World.”
The platform plans to bring readers more exciting contents using different local languages. There will also be novels written in the local language on Webnovel in the future. It will work with its local industry partners in the Philippines to publish hard-copy books.
As digital reading becomes even more popular these days, Webnovel continues to become one of the most-downloaded e-book reader apps on Google Play. Up to now, the total number of unique visitors has exceeded 20 million. It has more than 200 individual translators and groups, and over 5000 original authors. About 200 English translations of web novel works and over 9000 original English works have been published on Webnovel.
For more information about Webnovel, you can visit their website www.webnovel.com or download the app on Google Play or the App Store.
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