Wait, Is GoodNovel Actually a Scam?
The short answer? Nope. Not a scam. After all, it’s just not what most Western authors expect when they hear publishing platform.
GoodNovel runs on the classic Asian web-novel formula. You know, daily new chapters, coin unlocks, daily login bonuses, the whole mobile-gacha vibe. If you’re used to Amazon royalties or traditional advances, this platform feels quite alien.
If you know about Webnovel, Goodnovel is like that, but with a more romantic twist. They pay. On time. Every month. I’ve seen the screenshots, talked to some of my author friends writing for them, and guess what? It’s working for them just fine.
GoodNovel: The Romance Authors’ Platform
Goodnovel’s authors are a melting pot of all nationalities. All ages, all backgrounds, every gender under the sun. I’ve got buddies slinging words from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the US, and more.
Some treat it like a full-time gig, churning out chapters for the cash. Others treat it like a sneaky hustle to earn extra bucks to fight off inflation or even lifestyle creep. Anyway, if you’re eyeing a spot at the table, let’s break down the good, the bad, and the “but wait” issues the platform has.
The Pros
- Real writer rewards when you hit word-count milestones
- Super-low entry barrier (upload and go)
- They actually have decent lightweight writing tutorials
- The author community is legit nice
- The author dashboard is clean and doesn’t make you want to throw your laptop
- Active Facebook/Discord groups where people actually help each other
Cons
- Still pretty new compared to the giants, so things can feel rough around the edges
- To keep the monthly rewards flowing, you gotta update 25 days out of the month
- The cost of its chapters feels too exorbitant for readers
Key Market and Creative Content
The readers here have one true love: romance. And I mean EVERY flavor—billionaire, mafia, werewolf, vampire, rejected mate, second-chance, dark romance, whatever trope is trending this week. That’s the menu, and they eat it up. If romance is your thing and you can stay consistent, it’s honestly a pretty sweet spot.
Wait, you don’t write romance? Then write for another platform. Sorry, but the growth of non-romance stories on this platform isn’t just bumpy, but extra rough.
Where can I find GoodNovel?
The website works fine, but the real action is on the GoodNovel app. You can pick it up through both Android and iOS. That’s where the readers live.
How to Get a Contract on Goodnovel?
So you’re planning to get and sign a contract on GoodNovel? Good for you.
Here’s the exact step-by-step I’ve seen work for a bunch of authors:
- Head to goodnovel.com and hit that big Create button up top.
- Fill in your novel details. You know stuff like title, synopsis, tags, cover (make it look spicy, trust me).
- While you’re there, check the ongoing contests and toss your hat in. Winning one basically fast-tracks you and throws extra bonuses your way.
- Write and upload daily until you reach the 5k word count mark.
- Hit the “Apply for Contract” button that shows up once you’re eligible.
- Wait and wait some more.
From what my GoodNovel friends say, it usually takes 15–30 days for a response. Sometimes faster if your story’s blowing up, sometimes longer because they’re drowning in applications and the team’s tired and tiny.
If it’s dragging past a month, shoot them a polite email nudge. They’re human, not robots. So yeah, niceness goes a long way. Once they come knocking, you’ll have to pick either an exclusive or non-exclusive contract.
Then that’s literally it. What’s next? Well, upload, write consistently, do some little personal marketing if you can.
Contract Types & Earnings
Let’s talk contracts. Real talk: read every single line before you sign anything. Don’t let the excitement blind you. Be cautious, be smart, that’s all I’m saying.
Exclusive Contract
This is the one they really push. You sign exclusive, and your novel lives only on GoodNovel. No Amazon, no Dreame, no Webnovel, no free posting anywhere unless your contract says so.
They always say, “copyright remains yours,” but in practice they control everything: distribution, adaptations, translations, the works. Yeah, it feels like they kind of own your book while the contract is active.
This is standard across almost all these big web novel apps, and it’s exactly why so many authors scream “scam” on Reddit and TikTok. The reputable writing industry watchdog, Writer’s Beware, has even zeroed in on their contracts: Bad Contract Alert: GoodNovel.
So what do you get for giving up your novel’s freedom?
- 50% of net revenue (from chapter unlocks, gifts, future adaptations, etc.)
- Bigger signing bonus (can be a few hundred bucks)
- Exclusive Monthly Attendance Bonus (MAB) (extra cash if you update enough days)
- Completion bonus when you finish the book
- Way better promotion and visibility
Non-Exclusive Contract
This one keeps your options open. You still get the standard 50% net revenue share, plus a small word-count reward (friends say around $50–$200 depending on total words, nothing crazy).
Nonetheless, you keep full control and can publish the same book on other platforms as long as it’s not free anywhere. Well, that’s about it.
GoodNovel Just Offered Me an Exclusive Contract. Should I Sign It Right Now?
Hell no. Don’t sign that hot potato yet. Getting offered a contract feels amazing, but signing something you’ll regret six months down the line isn’t a good strategy.
Now, pump the brakes, and it’s time to read your contract like a proper adult. After all, contracts are binding. How do I say this? It’s like signing your marriage; once done, there’s no easy way out. Ego has no place here.
Read it once, twice. No, make it three times and run it on your favorite AI program. Make sure you understand the pros and cons of your contract. Imagine how living after signing your contract might look like. If it’s acceptable, then do it. If otherwise, don’t.
How Much Do Authors Actually Earn on GoodNovel?
Okay, this is the moment of truth. Time to talk about cold, hard cash. After all, everyone wants to know if this is beer money or rent money.
From what I’ve researched from author friends and other socmed platforms, a steady GoodNovel author pulls in $500–$2,000/month if they’re consistent and hit the romance sweet spot.
Newbies or side-hustlers? More like $150–$500 to start. Top dogs with multiple books? We’re talking $5k–$10k+, especially if you’ve got a backlist compounding like interest on steroids.
Still, your location matters big time. In emerging spots like the Philippines, Indonesia, or Nigeria, even $500 feels like a win. You get to cover the bills and save a little. But if you’re a writer from the US, Canada, or Europe? It’s pocket change unless you’re crushing it.
Who Is Singapore New Reading Technology?
Saw that name on your contract and panicked a little? Relax. Singapore New Reading Technology Pte. Ltd. is literally the company that runs GoodNovel. Same people, same team.
GoodNovel is just the brand name for readers. When it comes to legal stuff, the full corporate name shows up. They started in 2019, are based in Singapore, and also run MegaNovel, GoodShort, GoodFM, etc.
GoodNovel vs. Traditional Publishing: Which One Should You Pick?
All depends on what you want. Traditional gives you that big validation stamp, professional editing, and sometimes way bigger money upfront. But the gatekeeping is brutal, and the timeline is forever.
GoodNovel lets you skip the line. Upload, get contracted, start earning in weeks instead of years. Lower editing standards, faster feedback, instant readers. If speed and low barriers matter more than prestige, GoodNovel wins.
Which Is Better? Goodnovel vs. Indie Publishing?
I’ll bet on the indie-publishing. Doing it on your own terms means you own everything. Full copyright, no exclusivity, post wherever you want. Kindle Unlimited only? Cool. Wide on Amazon, Kobo, Apple, Google Play, Scribd? Also cool. You decide.
The problem? You do all the work: covers, editing, marketing, ads, newsletters, the whole circus. Plus, it has a steep learning curve.
My conclusion? GoodNovel gives you a built-in audience and an easier start, especially for romance. Indie gives you freedom and greater long-term control. But hey, it’s your call.
I Signed a GoodNovel Exclusive Contract, But Now I Want Out, Help!
This exact scenario is why I keep yelling at everyone to read the contract twice before signing. So many new authors get that offer, dopamine hits, and sign without thinking. I’ve seen it happen way too often.
If you’re already in and regretting it, here’s what you can actually do:
- Open the contract again. Search for any “buy-back” clause or termination terms. Some have it. Most don’t.
- If nothing’s there, politely email your editor or support and ask if they’ll let you buy back the rights. Be nice, be professional, offer money. Sometimes they say yes (especially if the book isn’t earning much for them).
- If they say no or ignore you, talk to a real copyright/intellectual-property lawyer. Yes, it costs money, but it’s cheaper than being stuck for 5–10 years.
Backing out is hard, expensive, and not always possible. That’s the exclusivity trap. Learn from it, and next time read first, sign later.
Final Thoughts on Goodnovel
Look, writing for any of these web-novel platforms (GoodNovel included) is not some cute little hobby. It’s a grind. Daily updates, reader expectations, algorithm gods, deadlines that don’t care if you’re sick or tired. Some days the words flow, most days it feels like dragging yourself up a foggy mountain with bleeding fingers.
I’m not saying this to scare you off. I’m saying it because I’ve lived it and watched friends live it. Instant success is rare. Most authors who make decent money are the ones who treat it like an actual job and just keep showing up.
So far, GoodNovel has treated most of my friends pretty well, especially the ones who hit their update schedules and finish their books. The ones who ghost or quit halfway? Yeah, not so much.
At the end of the day, these platforms are businesses trying to make a profit. They’re not your mom, not your cheerleader, not your charity. If you understand that, keep your expectations realistic, and actually enjoy writing the stories, you’ll be fine.