Where to Share Your Writing and Get Paid in: The Best Platforms for Aspiring Writers

If you’re an aspiring writer, you’ve probably spent hours staring at your work, wondering where the hell to put it so people will actually read it—and, ideally, pay you for it. The internet is full of platforms promising exposure, readership, and even money, but let’s be real: some of them are a waste of time, and others are downright scams.

Maybe you’re writing fiction and want a loyal fan base. Maybe you’re grinding out articles and looking for clients who won’t ghost you after one revision. Either way, the goal is the same: find the right platform that gives you both visibility and a paycheck.

So, where should you post? That depends. Some sites reward you for clicks, comments, and subscriptions—perfect if you’re building a readership and playing the long game. Others connect you with paying clients right away, though you might have to wade through the dreaded gig economy wasteland first.

From Wattpad to Royal Road, from high-paying freelance hubs to niche storytelling platforms, we’re breaking down the best places to share your writing, get noticed, and (hopefully) make some money in 2025.

Ps this is a mess of an article, but I tried to break it into sections for fiction vs nonfiction writing, scroll down to find what you’re looking for!

Where to share your fiction writing?

1. Wattpad

• Best For: Young Adult, Romance, and Fanfiction
• Website: Wattpad
• What It Is: Wattpad is a massive platform for serialized storytelling, where authors can grow an audience through free-to-read stories. The Wattpad Paid Stories program allows selected authors to earn money by locking their stories behind a paywall.
• How It Works: Writers can earn by having readers pay to access full stories or chapters. Authors are invited into the program based on their engagement and story quality.
• Features:
  • Easy-to-use platform for posting and reading stories.
  • Opportunity to join Wattpad Stars for monetization and publishing deals.
  • Strong community with active feedback and reader engagement.
• Pros:
  • Huge audience potential.
  • Opportunity to get your work optioned for film or TV through Wattpad Studios.
  • Community engagement and feedback from readers
• Cons:
  • Writers must be invited into the Paid Stories program.
  • Highly competitive platform with millions of users.

2. Royal Road

• Best For: Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Progression-Based Stories
• Website: Royal Road
• What It Is: Royal Road is a free platform for publishing serialized fiction, particularly popular for fantasy, science fiction, and light novels.
• Features:
  • Robust tagging and categorization system.
  • Detailed analytics for tracking reader engagement.
  • Community features like forums for networking with other writers.
• How It Works: While Royal Road doesn’t directly pay writers, many successful authors monetize through Patreon, tips, or donations from a growing fanbase.
• Pros:
  • Loyal reader community.
  • Great for developing long-term series.
  • Writers often earn through external platforms like Patreon.
• Cons:
  • No direct payment from the platform; earnings depend on fan support.
  • Highly competitive within certain genres.

3. Inkitt

• Best For: Writers Seeking Publishing Opportunities
• Website: Inkitt
• Overview: Inkitt uses data-driven analytics to identify potential bestsellers. If your story performs well on their platform, you might be offered a publishing deal.
• Features:
  • Free to post and read stories.
  • Offers potential publishing deals for high-performing stories.
  • Strong focus on genre fiction like Romance, Fantasy, and Thriller.
• Pros:
  • Opportunity to transition from digital publishing to traditional.
  • Active community and contests to promote stories.
• Cons:
  • Limited monetization options unless you’re offered a publishing deal.
  • Heavy competition for visibility.

4. GoodNovel

• Best For: Writers Looking to Monetize
• Website: GoodNovel
• Overview: GoodNovel is a platform focused on serialized fiction and allows writers to earn money through paid chapters.
• Features:
  • Contracts for writers to monetize their work.
  • Popular in genres like Romance, Fantasy, and Urban Fiction.
  • Mobile-friendly interface for both writers and readers.
• Pros:
  • Clear monetization path through reader subscriptions.
  • Large audience base for popular genres.
• Cons:
  • Payment terms can vary based on contract.
  • Some writers feel restricted by the platform’s content requirements.

5. Medium

• Best For: Nonfiction, Personal Essays, and Short Stories
• Website: Medium
• Overview: Medium is a general-purpose writing platform where you can share essays, articles, and creative writing.
• Features:
  • Opportunity to earn money through the Medium Partner Program.
  • Simple interface for publishing.
  • Articles can go viral and reach a wide audience.
• Pros:
  • Great for nonfiction and reflective pieces.
  • Monetization options available for all writers.
• Cons:
  • Not ideal for serialized fiction or novels.
  • Earnings depend on audience engagement and Medium membership subscriptions.

6. Tapas

• Best For: Webcomics and Serialized Fiction
• Website: Tapas
• Overview: Tapas is a platform for webcomics and serialized novels, with a strong focus on visual storytelling.
• Features:
  • Monetization through ads and premium content.
  • Popular among younger audiences.
  • Unique blend of comics and fiction.
• Pros:
  • Visual storytelling opportunities.
  • Monetization options available for creators.
• Cons:
  • Primarily focuses on webcomics, so novels may take a backseat.
  • Limited to certain genres popular on the platform.

7. Scribophile

• Best For: Writers Seeking Feedback and Critique
• Website: Scribophile
• Overview: Scribophile is designed for writers looking to improve their craft through peer feedback and critiques.
• Features:
  • Critique-based system where writers earn points by reviewing others’ work.
  • Active and supportive community.
  • Focus on craft improvement over publishing.
• Pros:
  • Ideal for honing your writing skills.
  • Access to writing tips, forums, and resources.
• Cons:
  • Not a platform for building a fanbase or monetizing your work.
  • Critique system can feel time-intensive.

8. Kindle Vella (Amazon)

Kindle Vella was Amazon’s subscription experiment for serialized fiction, but it got shut down.

Other Platforms to Explore

• Radish Fiction: Similar to Wattpad, with a focus on serialized and mobile-friendly stories.
• Fanfiction.net: For fanfiction enthusiasts looking to build a community.
• Archive of Our Own (AO3): A free platform for fanfiction with a strong user base.
• Commaful: Focused on short, visual stories with an Instagram-like format.
• Booksie: An open platform for posting poetry, short stories, and novels.
• Figment: A community-driven platform for young writers (now part of Underlined).

Here’s some of the places and platforms I’m thinking about using for my fiction writing.

How to Choose the Right Platform

When deciding where to post your work, consider the following:

1. Your Genre: Platforms like Wattpad and Royal Road cater to specific genres. Choose one that aligns with your writing style.
2. Monetization Goals: If earning money is your priority, look for platforms like GoodNovel, Kindle Vella, or Radish Fiction.
3. Community Engagement: For feedback and interaction, Scribophile or Wattpad are excellent choices.
4. Publishing Opportunities: Inkitt and GoodNovel offer paths to traditional or digital publishing deals.

I’m also playing around with DeviantArt and Tumblr, especially for shorter writing or poetry.

Pick Your Platform and Start Writing

The best platform for posting your writing depends on your goals—whether you’re looking for feedback, fans, or financial rewards. With so many options available, there’s never been a better time to share your stories with the world. Explore these platforms, find the one that suits your needs, and let your words shine.

I’ve published fiction and nonfiction on Kindle, but things are changing quickly, and one of my focuses right now is to expand my author platform and reach new readers by exploring new platforms.

I’ve never been super fond of the subscription business model for writing. It’s true that a lot of literary classics were written for newspapers on a per-word basis; and it’s also true I enjoy the rewards of Kindle Unlimited which works the same way… but I’ve so far avoided platforms where you build up an audience and people subscribe monthly, like Patreon. It feels like putting up a GoFundMe page, which should be for medical emergencies and not hobby/entertainment.

But it’s also true, I need to meet my readers halfway and publish my stories in whatever formats or platforms they are currently using. For fiction, this means Royal Road etc (different platforms are best for different genres though!). For nonfiction, since blog traffic is way down even for heavy hitters, I’m thinking about posting some insightful articles on Medium or even heaven-forbid, linked-in.

The trick is, what do I post my best writing versus where do I post my free writing… and are those the same? What can I give away that won’t hurt book sales? These are considerations to ponder.

I’ll let you know how these new publishing experiments go!

Posting Your Writing Online: Audience-Based Nonfiction Writing Platforms

Nonfiction is kind of, a lot different. Blogging is pretty much dead, and there isn’t really a market for thoughtful, insightful posts. Everything I’ve seen recently on Reddit has been AI (clever and good enough to get engagement… even if I can recognize chatGPT writing, most people can’t).

I’m considering posting on LinkedIn and Medium, because they rank well, even though they have no-follow links (which is important if you want to get real traffic to your website and turn your writing into money somehow).

So here are some options and I’ll list more below.

These platforms allow writers to publish content and earn money based on reader engagement, subscriptions, or views. They are ideal for writers interested in fiction, blogging, serialized content, or engaging with a loyal reader base.

1. Medium Partner Program

What It Is: Medium is a popular platform for bloggers and writers where you can publish articles on a wide range of topics. Writers in the Medium Partner Program earn money based on the time members spend reading their stories.

How It Works: You earn approximately $20 per 1,000 views. Writers need to have at least 100 followers to join the Partner Program, which is ideal for both short-form and long-form content.

Best For: Writers across various niches, from personal essays to how-to guides.

Pros:

• Freedom to write on any topic.
• No need for a large following to start.
• Potential for viral exposure.

Cons:

• Earnings are based on engagement metrics like views and claps.
• Requires a Stripe account for payments, which isn’t available in all countries.

2. Substack

What It Is: Substack is a newsletter platform that allows writers to publish directly to subscribers, offering both free and paid subscription models.

How It Works: Writers can set up paid subscriptions, allowing them to earn from readers who pay monthly or annually for exclusive content. Substack takes a 10% cut of earnings.

Best For: Writers with niche expertise, particularly in nonfiction, opinion pieces, or serialized essays.

Pros:

• Complete control over your audience and pricing.
• Ideal for building a loyal reader base.
• Allows both free and paid subscriptions.

Cons:

• Requires consistent content to maintain subscribers.
• Initial income may be slow unless you already have an established following.

3. Kickstarter

What It Is: Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform that allows writers to raise funds for specific writing projects, from books to serialized stories.

How It Works: Writers create a project, set a funding goal, and offer rewards to backers, such as signed copies, early access, or exclusive content. If the funding goal is met, the writer receives the funds to complete the project.

Best For: Writers with a specific project in mind, such as a self-published book or a series of short stories.

Pros:

• Full creative control over your project.
• Ability to fund your writing upfront without needing to publish first.
• A loyal group of backers can provide ongoing support.

Cons:

• All-or-nothing funding model; if the goal isn’t reached, you receive nothing.
• Requires strong marketing and promotion to attract backers.

What I think of these platforms: Maybe. Kickstarter isn’t really a blogging platform, but you could collect your essays or articles or something into a book and *maybe* kickstarter could be the right place to find your audience. Substack is cool in theory: free unlimited email list? Yes please… I pay $250/month and rarely use mine. But I don’t love the idea of a paywall. I’m keeping an open mind however. Medium used to pay decent, but I have friends who were making money that now aren’t, and the stuff I’ve posted there never took off. But perhaps I just need to match content to the platform: controversial posts about AI and writing perform over there, maybe I’ll write some.

I’m also playing with sites just for backlinks: wikihow and wikipedia are hard to break into, you need to volunteer and do editing before you can link to yourself. Buzzfeed lets you post community stuff. You can post on Disqus and Bloglovin and a bunch of older sites that have become a free-for-all. These won’t help you get paid for your writing but they may help with backlinks to support your main platform where you do charge for your content.

Client-Based Writing Platforms

You could also become a content writer, which was a think until recently; now days I think most people are probably use AI, but not everyone. Big businesses especially are worried about using AI on their blogs even though Google has said they won’t penalize it, they don’t love sloppy crappy content either. Here are some platforms that allow writers to connect with clients for paid freelance writing gigs. Ideal for writers who prefer working on client projects or content writing services.

4. Upwork

What It Is: Upwork is one of the largest freelance marketplaces, connecting writers with clients in need of blog posts, web content, ghostwriting, and more.

How It Works: Writers create profiles and bid on jobs posted by clients. Once selected, you can negotiate the terms and payment for each project.

Best For: Writers looking for client work in copywriting, content creation, or technical writing.

Pros:

• Access to a variety of writing gigs.
• Ability to set your rates and choose projects that align with your interests.

Cons:

• Highly competitive, especially for beginners.
• Upwork charges a service fee, starting at 20% for new freelancers.

5. Textbroker

What It Is: Textbroker is a content writing platform where clients post jobs and writers are paid based on their quality rating.

How It Works: Writers are rated on a scale from 2 to 5 stars based on the quality of their writing. Pay rates increase with higher quality ratings.

Best For: Beginners looking for steady, client-based work.

Pros:

• Regular opportunities for paid writing.
• A straightforward system for claiming and completing tasks.

Cons:

• Low initial pay for lower-rated writers.
• Limited creative freedom, as assignments are typically client-driven.

6. Freelancer.com

What It Is: Freelancer.com connects writers with clients looking for content, marketing materials, and more. Like Upwork, it operates on a bid-based system.

How It Works: Writers bid on writing jobs, and clients select freelancers based on proposals, profiles, and past work.

Best For: Freelance writers looking to build a portfolio and gain experience across various industries.

Pros:

• Large variety of writing gigs across different fields.
• Freedom to set your own rates and availability.

Cons:

• High competition, with many freelancers vying for the same jobs.
• Freelancer.com takes a commission from your earnings.

7. Listverse

What It Is: A site that publishes list-based articles on a variety of topics, from history to entertainment to science. Listverse focuses on fun, engaging lists that are both informative and entertaining.

How It Works: Writers are paid a flat fee for articles that meet their criteria. The site favors list-based content (e.g., “10 Fascinating Facts About…”), and submissions must be original and not previously published.

Why It’s Good for Beginners:

• Simple format—just write a list of 10 items with a short explanation for each.
• No need to be an expert in a particular field.
• Fast turnaround for approval and payment.

Earnings: Listverse pays $100 per accepted list.

8. Vocal Media

What It Is: Vocal Media is a user-friendly platform that allows writers to publish stories across various genres (from personal essays to tech reviews) and earn money through reads, tips, and contests.

How It Works: Writers earn revenue through reader engagement and tips from readers. Vocal also hosts writing competitions, where writers can win cash prizes.

Why It’s Good for Beginners:

• Accessible to all levels, with no prior writing experience required.
• Writers retain the rights to their content.
• Vocal offers the opportunity to enter high-paying writing contests.

Earnings: $3.80 per 1,000 reads for regular users and $6 per 1,000 reads for Vocal+ members, plus additional tips and contest winnings.

Additional Platforms Worth Considering

• Simily: A newer platform offering a reader-funded model similar to Medium, where writers are paid based on engagement.
• Blasting News: Offers writers a chance to earn based on article views. Writers can earn up to $500 per article depending on traffic.
• Fiverr: This used to be a site to hire people for $5, but they’ve taken off the limits, and I’ve seen crazy prices there even for editing (like, way too expensive). I’ve been considering offering some things there, just because that’s where all the people are – because it ranks well and gets traffic.

Ideally, you’d just rank #1 for content marketing services or something. I’ve surprisingly had a few projects fall into my lap recently, but it was more about meeting the right people and being able to help them out. Writing for sales pages or conversion can be lucrative, but it’s competitive.

As in most cases, you’ll need a way to be seen or drive traffic and visibility to your offer or writing samples, before people may be willing to actually pay. That’s what a lot of my books are about, but who has time to read anymore? I’m more excited by posting stuff on RoyalRoad and paying to advertise: basically, no matter what platform you use, if you have the best content/offer and it’s actually profitable (people like it enough to keep reading/pay), then you can afford to advertise, which can put you ahead of everyone else – Fiverr lets you advertise as well.

So I think getting great content on some of these sites but treating more as a business, can work well. At least, that’s the angle I’ll be exploring.

FAQs About Posting Writing Online

Can I post the same story on multiple platforms?

Yes, unless the platform has exclusivity requirements (e.g., Kindle Vella). Always read the terms and conditions before posting.

Do I retain copyright to my work?

On most platforms, you retain copyright, but some may request limited rights for promotion. Check each platform’s policy.

Can I monetize my writing on free platforms?

Platforms like Wattpad and Medium offer indirect monetization through premium programs or reader subscriptions.

Conclusion

Choosing the right platform depends on your writing style, goals, and whether you want to engage directly with readers or take on client-based projects. Whether you’re a fiction writer looking to build an audience on platforms like Royal Road and Kindle Vella, or a content writer seeking paid opportunities on Upwork or Textbroker, there are plenty of options in 2025. The key is consistency—explore these platforms, refine your skills, and build a strong portfolio to increase your earning potential.

PS here’s a huge list of how to make money online.

The Money Math (What Writers Actually Earn)

Most “writing platforms that pay” articles skip the part where they tell you how much. Here are real numbers:

Where To Go Next

• Need story ideas? Try the free story generator or 500+ writing prompts.
• Want to publish a full book instead? Start with how to sell short stories on Amazon.
• Need AI help with drafts? Sudowrite is the best AI tool for fiction writers.
• Ready to format a book? Vellum for Mac or Atticus for any device.

Laura Hartman

Creativity is my passion. I love helping artists and writers to develop their unique voice and gifts! I write and organize guest posts, and research useful content and articles for Creativindie, with an eye on SEO and boosting traffic. I focus mostly on arts, crafts and graphic design.