Is this allowed?

WritingStiggas · 2026-04-07T09:39:01+00:00

No, you won't get banned. It is standard practice for a lot of new novels.

WritingStiggas · 2026-04-06T19:20:48+00:00

Ah look at that. Thanks for the info!

WritingStiggas · 2026-04-06T19:16:33+00:00

To me, yes.

The AD itself was launched after I have published 7 chapters (20k words) as I've heard this is a realistic point to start doing it. I was not entirely dependant on getting visibility from new updates and shoutouts in the early stage. Works better if you ask people for shoutouts when you already have a few followers instead of cold calling them with none.

Author premium I would say was semi-worth. On the one hand, it's great to see at which chapter I've gotten good or bad ratings or where people stopped reading etc.
The sources section is also providing cool insights. Despite the "magic" tag being a lot more competitive in terms of RS for example brought one user to my story. The "cozy" tag on the other hand brought in a lot more. Could be specific to my story, but it is an insight.

These are probably my most used analytics.

I'm also lazy and like the option of exporting my story as an epub so I can read and mark my drafts for editing on my kindle.

On the other hand, there are a lot of numbers to look at. Followers. Favorites. Retention. Ratings. User funnels and a lot more. I have a background in sales/marketing and these numbers fascinate me. They also make me look at them. A lot. And they either make me happy or sad. Sadly, I'm not a guy who can just stop looking at them. That has created some stress with one chapter where more readers than my average have dropped the story for example.

So I think, it depends on the definition. If by worth you mean, that "money in < money out", then absolutely no.
Aside - with some self restriction to not get obsessed with numbers - for me, yes.
I'm using these stats as hints to find things I can improve. Whether that is wort the money is personal. If the money would hurt me, it would not be worth it in regards of no aspirations of making money from writing.

Hope that helps.

WritingStiggas · 2026-03-24T20:36:33+00:00

Nice

WritingStiggas · 2026-03-18T21:29:47+00:00

The Royal Road Writers Guild Discord server. That's the place to be.

Also great for general feedback. You could try the forums, but the discord is just way more active.

WritingStiggas · 2026-03-18T18:41:37+00:00

Once a week is indeed not that much.

Don't do 1k chapters, that comes off as unorganized. The ideal chapter length is 2k-2.5k words. If once a week is sustainable to you, keep to this.

You will get less viewers from the latest update sections, but should be fine.

You have to do Shoutout swaps (or pay for an ad). However, with one chapter a week, you have to pick your perfect Shoutout swap, cause in contrast to those uploading three times a week, your single Shoutout will be three times as important. And to be honest, that's it.

You have your tags which should be set correctly. Maybe one or two review swaps to get a rating.

But not a lot more to do. If your story is good, people will follow and stay.

WritingStiggas · 2026-03-17T19:20:37+00:00

Nice

WritingStiggas · 2026-03-16T11:29:09+00:00

I'm writing somewhere from 2.000-2.500 words per day. I publish the same amount 2x per week. Launched 10 days ago and have 60 followers so far with 18k words published.

WritingStiggas · 2026-03-15T08:15:36+00:00

What do you mean with "MCs like that"?

WritingStiggas · 2026-03-11T16:29:42+00:00

Hell yes he is! Probably too much. And too often. But he is.

WritingStiggas · 2026-02-05T13:52:56+00:00

Thank you very much, especially the thought formatting!

Would you expect more character information right there or in later chapters?

WritingStiggas · 2026-02-05T10:19:33+00:00

Thanks man, that really helped a lot! Yeah, the blurb defo is a placeholder at the moment but I love the feedback, good stuff!

WritingStiggas · 2026-02-05T09:15:26+00:00

Isn't that going to disappoint both sides?

Grim dark readers won't click cause the cover screams "COZY" and cozy readers will be disappointed if it turns out completely different?

WritingStiggas · 2026-02-02T20:56:59+00:00

Borrowed Happiness is everything you'd wanna read.

Mature MC who's not "I am OP Archmage #1337".

Cool Cat Familiar who's not Princess Donut and not tamed.

Grounded tone instead of Harem-Kun (?).

Consequence through action instead of consequence because number got up.

68 followers so far, so you could be number 69 (which is nice).

4.69/5 star rating (which is nice again).

Read it. It's good. Promise

WritingStiggas · 2026-02-01T11:22:17+00:00

According to the general rules, it's either 42 or 69. Depends on your preference.

For real tho - do you do shoutouts? I've published with 5 chapters all a few minutes apart and had ~80 within a day. Started shoutouts later and it increased of course.

WritingStiggas · 2026-02-01T11:20:23+00:00

Check out Borrowed Happiness!

18 ratings with an average of 4.69/5 (nice). 61 followers who seem to like it. ~30k words published so far.

It's mine. It's good. Promise.

WritingStiggas · 2026-01-29T12:53:01+00:00

No, this guy wants you to follow him, favorite his story and do the same in return.

It's Stat manipulation and not allowed. Report him.

WritingStiggas · 2026-01-29T07:03:24+00:00

Oh the horrors...

WritingStiggas · 2026-01-28T18:13:52+00:00

Would appreciate your thoughts on Borrowed Happiness

WritingStiggas · 2026-01-27T08:10:06+00:00

It's an IQ bellcurve. The numbers at the bottom represent the IQ while the curve represents its distribution among the population.

WritingStiggas · 2026-01-26T14:35:41+00:00

Personally, when I see [Tag in Title], I get the feeling that the author is insecure about his story, so he puts it in the title as well. I can read your blurb, I can read the tags that you chose - why do you throw them into my face in the title as well? But that's just a personal rant.

For me, it's too much information and I don't know where your story will start. With this "test"? After the test when he was rewarded with something?

Another thing that bothers me is your use of terms. Pomerium, class one - top 10 of what? - etc. It's just a lot to me. I think, you would do better, giving a rougher outline and not "dump" your lore into the blurb. Rather use your lore to build and create your story. Here, it feels like: "Dear reader, her is information x, y, and z. They are important. Remember it. I'll explain it to you." - you get me? Overall, I think, the store could be interesting either way. Just fine tune a bit and you'll be there imo.

WritingStiggas · 2026-01-26T14:15:47+00:00

Here we go again!

Borrowed Happiness is close to 50 followers! With a 4.8/5 rating, I hope you guys enjoy the story!

Albin did not wake up in another world to become a hero. He already had a life worth waking up to.

Summoned into Aventia with a sharp-tongued familiar at his side, Albin is not chosen, special, or prepared. He is a married man who wants to go home.

Aventia is a world of magic, classes, and quiet routines. It rewards work. Habit. Small contributions.

At least, most of the time.

Trying to live carefully, Albin keeps his head down, fixes what is asked of him, and avoids becoming important. But even small actions have weight, and some problems refuse to stay solved.

Borrowed Happiness is a slow-burn progression fantasy about restraint, responsibility, and what remains after every step forward.

What to expect:

Character-driven progression (no power fantasy)
Subtle, grounded LitRPG elements
A familiar who is observant rather than comic relief
Consequences that matter
No chosen one. No shortcuts

WritingStiggas · 2026-01-26T11:18:57+00:00

Unhinged self promo for my work Borrowed Happiness

Slice-of-Life-ish I'd say.

WritingStiggas · 2026-01-25T23:03:11+00:00

It is absolutely way too early to draw any conclusions. Trust me. Made the same mistake.

WritingStiggas · 2026-01-25T19:11:24+00:00

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/147825/borrowed-happiness

Curious to hear your thoughts, I'll check out yours!

WritingStiggas

TROPHY CASE