8 Best Writing Platforms That Pay Writers for Stories & Novels in 2025

Do you love writing stories, novels, or creative content?

What if you could get paid to write — right from your laptop or even your phone?

Good news: there are free, legit platforms that let you publish your work and earn money in return. Whether you’re just starting or already building an audience, this guide is for you.

Let’s dive into the best writing platforms that actually pay writers.

🏆 1. Wattpad

Best for: Fiction writers, novelists, romance and fan-fiction

Wattpad is one of the biggest story-sharing platforms in the world. With millions of readers, it’s a great place to grow your writing and even get discovered by publishers or film studios.

💸 How You Make Money:

• Join Wattpad Paid Stories

• Enter contests with cash prizes

• Sell publishing or adaptation rights

✅ Pros:

• Huge reader base

• Mobile app + easy publishing

• Some writers earn thousands

❌ Cons:

• Hard to qualify for Paid Stories

• Income depends on popularity

🧠 2. Medium

Best for: Bloggers, essay writers, personal growth, storytelling

Medium pays you based on how long members read your work. It’s perfect if you enjoy writing non-fiction, opinion pieces, or deep stories.

💸 How You Make Money:

• Join the Medium Partner Program

• Get paid based on reading time

✅ Pros:

• Free to join

• Built-in readers

• Easy to publish

❌ Cons:

• You need consistent views to earn well

• Limited design and brand control

📬 3. Substack

Best for: Newsletter writers, serialized fiction, niche writing

Substack lets you send writing as email newsletters and earn through paid subscriptions.

💸 How You Make Money:

• Offer paid newsletters

• Keep 90% of subscriber revenue

✅ Pros:

• You own your email list

• Good for writers with loyal followers

• Easy setup

❌ Cons:

• No reader marketplace like Medium or Wattpad

• You have to build your own audience

📚 4. Inkitt

Best for: Fiction writers looking for publishing deals

Inkitt helps writers share their novels, and if your book performs well, they may offer a publishing deal.

💸 How You Make Money:

• Get a publishing contract

• Royalties from book sales

✅ Pros:

• Data-driven publishing

• Readers vote on books they love

❌ Cons:

• You must reach high reader engagement

• No direct payments unless selected

💡 5. Vocal.Media

Best for: Non-fiction, listicles, how-tos, personal stories

Vocal.Media pays writers for views. You also earn bonuses from challenges and tips.

💸 How You Make Money:

• Paid per 1,000 reads

• Bonus payments from challenges

• Tips from readers

✅ Pros:

• Free and easy to join

• Multiple topics accepted

• No need to build your own site

❌ Cons:

• Low rates per view

• Better payouts with Vocal+ (paid membership)

📖 6. Royal Road

Best for: Fantasy, sci-fi, web novelists

This is a popular site for publishing long-form serial fiction — especially in genres like fantasy, litRPG, and adventure.

💸 How You Make Money:

• Link to your Patreon or merch

• Gain fans and paid subscribers

✅ Pros:

• Niche, loyal community

• Readers love long stories

❌ Cons:

• No built-in monetization

• You’ll need outside income streams (Patreon, etc.)

📱 7. Webnovel

Best for: Serialized fiction writers (fantasy, romance, etc.)

Webnovel offers contracts to popular writers and pays based on chapters and reader engagement.

💸 How You Make Money:

• Get contracted and paid per word

• Earn from locked/premium chapters

✅ Pros:

• Global audience

• Monetization possible even for new authors

❌ Cons:

• Contracts vary, so read terms carefully

• Most suited for specific genres

🧾 8. Reedsy Discovery

Best for: Self-published authors

Reedsy helps promote indie books. You can earn through book sales and reviews.

💸 How You Make Money:

• Sell your self-published books

• Gain reviews to boost sales

✅ Pros:

• Great for promoting books

• Trusted author marketplace

❌ Cons:

• No upfront payment

• You need to publish a full book

 Quick Recap: Best Writing Platforms to Earn Money

✨ Final Thoughts

There are many writing platforms out there, but these 8 are legit, free, and built to help you earn real income from your words.