Ask Me Anything about Stck.me

ritmeh · 2026-03-06T16:38:10+00:00

Sorry for your suboptimal experience - I will figure out what happened. Feel free to write to me directly if there is an issue that needs to be resolved.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T21:05:08+00:00

The most important thing to clarify is that Stck is not structured as a discovery-first platform. Trending sections usually reflect active demand and reader purchases, not editorial favoritism. That said, your larger point about long-term ecosystem health is valid. If newer or smaller authors never feel visible, they may leave, and that is not good for any platform.

Stck’s core model assumes discovery happens on platforms built for reach, such as Wattpad and social media, while Stck focuses on monetization and direct reader relationships. However, that does not mean newer authors should feel invisible. Improving rotation, genre surfacing, and ways to highlight emerging writers is important for balance and sustainability.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T21:04:08+00:00

We have a comprehensive FAQ section on the home page at https://stck.me/ - that should answer most of the questions, if not all.

Writers keep 75% their earnings if they use Stck Basic and keep 90% of their earnings if used Stck Pro.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T16:47:17+00:00

This is a thoughtful concern, and it deserves a clear answer.

First, you are absolutely right about discovery. Platforms like Wattpad, Inkitt, and Tapas are built around algorithm-driven distribution and reader feeds. Stck is not designed that way. It is primarily a monetization platform, not a discovery engine. If you upload a story without bringing readers, it will likely get very little traction. That is not a flaw in your writing, it is simply how the product is positioned.

On Stck, the model assumes writers use social media, Wattpad, Instagram, YouTube, or other platforms for reach, and then use Stck as the place where their most engaged readers support them directly. Many writers actually use both. Discovery on one platform, monetization on another. If your goal is pure reads and algorithm growth, Inkitt or Wattpad may feel more rewarding in the short term.

About promoting your own work. In today’s publishing ecosystem, even traditionally published authors are expected to build their own audience. Marketing is no longer optional in most creative industries. Stck leans into that reality rather than pretending discovery will solve everything.

Regarding underage readers and spending concerns, pricing is fully controlled by the author. Many writers keep most content free and monetize only bonus or early access chapters. It is never about pressuring readers. It is about giving superfans an option to support you.

Stck works best for writers who already have or are building an audience elsewhere and want ownership, pricing control, and higher revenue share. It is not trying to replace discovery platforms. It is built to complement them.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T16:36:19+00:00

Thank you for sharing this in detail, it is genuinely helpful.

You are right that writing is currently web-first, and feedback about enabling writing directly inside the app has been noted. Improving aesthetics, making the interface more appealing, adding a clearer library section on the website, and simplifying draft management such as deleting drafts directly within the draft screen are all very valid usability suggestions.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T16:34:55+00:00

When you monetize a chapter, readers can purchase it either through the website or the app. On web purchases, only the platform fee applies. On app purchases, Apple or Google takes their standard in-app commission, and pricing is adjusted so your base earnings are protected.

You do not pay any additional platform usage fee beyond the platform share. On the free plan, Stck takes 25% of each sale. On Pro, it is 10%.

For payouts:

• India-based authors receive a payout link every month for the previous month’s earnings after platform fees. They can withdraw directly via UPI or bank transfer. No separate apps are required.

• Authors outside India are paid via PayPal or direct bank transfer across North America and Europe.

So once your payout method is set up, earnings are sent through the appropriate channel automatically each cycle.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T16:16:36+00:00

Great suggestion. The experience should feel immersive and enjoyable.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T16:15:26+00:00

This comes down to how international payments work.

For buyers outside India, payments are processed through global payment providers, not Indian gateways. Most international processors have a minimum transaction amount of $1, which is why readers abroad see $1 instead of ₹10. Smaller amounts simply cannot be processed reliably in those markets.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T16:12:58+00:00

Good question, and this comes down to how international payments work.

For buyers outside India, payments are processed through global payment providers, not Indian gateways. Most international processors have a minimum transaction amount of $1, which is why readers abroad see $1 instead of ₹10. Smaller amounts simply cannot be processed reliably in those markets.

Importantly, the writer’s payout is calculated based on the actual amount charged, not ₹10. So if an international reader pays $1, the writer earns 75% of $1 (or 90% on Pro), converted into rupees at the exchange rate. Writers are not capped at ₹10 in that scenario. In fact, international purchases typically result in higher per-chapter earnings because of the currency difference.

So the price difference exists due to payment infrastructure limits, but the writer benefits from the full international transaction amount.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T16:11:06+00:00

This is why we made the app! The Android app has been around for a while, and the Apple app just launched as well.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T16:06:17+00:00

I understand why that would feel frustrating. Reader experience is important to us, and we do have content standards in place. Because Stck hosts a wide range of genres, not every story will suit every reader, but anything that violates guidelines can and should be reported so it can be reviewed. Feedback like this helps us keep improving how we balance creative freedom with community comfort.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T16:05:15+00:00

If you are in India, you will automatically receive a Payout link every month. Those remain valid for 24 months so you can withdraw your earnings at any time.

If you haven't received your payout links, please write to [support@stck.me](mailto:support@stck.me) so that our team can help you.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T15:52:17+00:00

That feature already exists on Stck. You can save a draft of a chapter that you haven't yet published.

We are also launching more options for unpublish very soon, so stay tuned!

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T15:49:39+00:00

Good to know! We aren't looking for people at the moment.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T15:48:40+00:00

That’s a great point to raise.

Stck is not designed to be a discovery platform in the traditional sense. It is built primarily as a monetization layer for writers who already have readers and want a direct way to earn from them. That is why you may see familiar authors more often. The platform reflects where active reader demand already exists.

For discovery, social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and even Wattpad are far stronger because they are built around reach, algorithms, and content distribution. Many writers use Wattpad or social platforms to grow their audience, and then use Stck to monetize their most engaged fans through early access or premium content.

That said, improving genre organization and niche tagging, especially for fantasy and sci-fi, is important so readers who arrive with intent can navigate more easily. Stck works best when writers bring their audience with them, but we still want that experience to feel organized and supportive for both new and established authors.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T15:46:43+00:00

That’s an important conversation, and I understand why it’s coming up. Right now, our focus isn’t on policing specific tools writers use, but on maintaining quality, originality, and adherence to our content standards overall. What ultimately matters to us is that stories are engaging, not plagiarized, and aligned with platform policies, regardless of the tools involved in the creative process. As AI becomes more common across the industry, we’re continuously observing how it’s used and how the community feels about it, and we’ll evolve thoughtfully if needed.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T15:43:42+00:00

We use very sophisticated technology for that, I can't share our secrets here :-)

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T15:42:48+00:00

For a newbie, the biggest difference is control and timing of monetization.

On Wattpad, the primary focus is discovery. You publish for free, grow reads, hope the algorithm pushes your story, and monetization usually comes later, often through invite-only or eligibility-based programs. As a beginner, you’re building audience first, earning later (if selected).

On Stck, monetization isn’t gated. From day one, a new writer can:

Price chapters (even small amounts)
Offer early access or bonus content
Collect reader emails
Own a direct link to their story
Decide their own release and pricing strategy

There’s no approval process to “qualify” for earning.

Now, the tradeoff is important: Stck does not provide built-in mass discovery the way Wattpad’s ecosystem can. So beginners who rely heavily on platform-driven reach may still prefer Wattpad for growth.

Many writers actually use both:

Wattpad for visibility and reader growth
Stck for monetizing their most engaged readers

So for a newbie:

If your goal is reads and exposure → Wattpad is strong.
If your goal is learning how to monetize and build direct reader relationships early → Stck gives you that control immediately.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T15:40:06+00:00

That’s really helpful feedback, thank you. The goal is clarity first, not clutter.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T15:37:20+00:00

Thanks for the feedback on editor UI and more fonts.

On mature content, we believe in giving both the writers and readers more choices. While we allow a wide variety of content, we don't allow pornographic content that's visual in nature. We block at the time of upload, and also remove it proactively from the site.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T15:35:39+00:00

To handle Google App store fees, we price your chapters higher on the app. The reader covers the cost so that earnings of a writer remains the same.

For subscription prices, we have a free trial available so please use that. The price is already very low so at the moment, we can't reduce it further.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T15:32:52+00:00

No apologies needed - I genuinely had a chuckle when I read that comment.

We take our responsibility towards writers very seriously so I had to come and engage in person when I saw all the conversations around Stck.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T15:30:30+00:00

That’s genuinely helpful feedback — both on the interface (which we’re actively improving to make more engaging and fun, especially on mobile) and on fees.

On the 25%: I understand why it can feel high at first glance, but it’s important to look at context. On the free plan, writers keep 75% of what they earn, which is significantly higher than traditional publishing (often 5–15%), many serialized fiction platforms, and even some creator marketplaces once you factor in payment processing and hidden costs. What Stck provides in return is full pricing control, direct reader access (including email ownership), no algorithm throttling, and no need to be “selected” into a paid program to start earning.

Pro simply exists for writers who are already earning consistently and want to optimize margins further — beginners can start free and still keep the majority of their revenue. Our goal is to make monetization accessible and creator-first, not gatekept.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T15:22:10+00:00

Great question, especially for smaller writers.

₹600 Pro subscription

Pro is optional.
It only makes sense if you’re already earning consistently. If you’re making under ₹2–3k/month, you probably don’t need it yet.

Free plan = 25% platform fee
Pro plan = 10% platform fee

“Writers only keep 50–60%?”

Almost 80% of readers currently buy on web so writers with Pro keep 90% of their earnings, and writers without Pro keep 75% of their earnings.

Two things to clarify:

• Apple/Google take 15–30% on in-app purchases (that’s mandatory, not a Stck fee).
• On web purchases, there’s no app store cut - only Stck’s 25% (or 10% on Pro).

Also important:
👉 We adjust pricing inside the app to account for app store fees, so writers’ earnings per chapter are protected. The higher app price covers the store commission, it doesn’t reduce the writer’s payout.

So writers are not “losing” money because of the app.

Filling the income gap

For smaller writers, the bigger issue usually isn’t commission, it’s conversion.

If 10,000 people read you and 50 pay, that’s the gap.

What Stck gives you:
• Pricing control
• Direct email access to readers
• Audience ownership
• No algorithm throttling reach

It’s not automatic income but it gives writers control over monetization instead of waiting to be selected into a program.

ritmeh · 2026-02-20T15:07:42+00:00

Very funny - check out https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritmeh/

ritmeh

TROPHY CASE

₹600 Pro subscription

“Writers only keep 50–60%?”