A new way to read a book

Chinese smartphone users have embraced technology like Alipay, WeChat faster than their western counterparts. One of the more innovative sites allows Chinese users to read a book on their smartphone, tablet or computer and for the last year, it has been available around the world in English.

China Literature’s international platform (webnovel.com), the international operation of China’s leading online literature platform Qidian.com, just celebrated its first anniversary. To date Webnovel has attracted over 10 million visitors with a lineup of more than 150 English translated works and over 620 original ones. With a network of over 200 translators and translation groups across the globe English translations of some stories are released and updated simultaneously with the original Chinese works. To enrich the content, Webnovel also partners with overseas institutions, such as Gravity Tales, to foster the globalization of online literary works whether it is shorts stories or a full book.

Webnovel has adopted a range of payment methods that appeal to different kinds of readers, including paying by chapter, “wait or pay” and paying by clicking advertisements to unlock new chapters. According to China Literature, the goal of all these innovative measures that offer effective and personalized services is to make the industry a sustainable one.

Writing helps to spread Chinese culture, and making books available everywhere helps to bring it to the masses

Since April of this year users have been able to submit original stories to the website. In the one-month trial period, more than 1,000 writers have registered, while over 620 English stories have been received and read. Most of the works are deeply influenced by Chinese online literature with typical Chinese cultural themes.

To further develop new talent, Webnovel has built an editorial team to explore exceptional ideas in these English stories. Writers of works with potential will be offered a contract. Webnovel will also provide learning opportunities to writers, such as having prominent editors or renowned authors to share expertise through lectures. There are also bonuses and financial awards for excellent writers. The company also has events in the pipeline in New York and Singapore to connect global writers, translators and readers.

 

Published by Editorial Team

The Asia Rising Editorial Team is made up of a multinational team of writers, content experts and journalists from around the world operating out of our Bureaus in New York, Bangkok, Toronto and while on assignment across Asia.