MyFavReads is an online platform that hosts original novels.

We are proud to say that we are hosting only work created by seasoned authors who are passionate about their literary art.

Every author who is publishing on MyFavReads has an established style of writing and a loyal fanbase, but no one can guarantee that their next novel will set internet on fire. However, there are some things that can increase the chances of success.

A captivating storyline

In order for your novel to have a good response from the readers, you need an idea that will capture their attention and hook them up so that they keep coming back for more as you publish chapters.

So, how does one know what stories will hook up the readers?

In general, there are cliché tropes that work, such as:

• A betrayed wife returned in the past to the day when she met her cheating husband who murdered her. She is ready for revenge.
• A handsome coldhearted CEO falls for an innocent entry-level secretary. She will melt his icy heart and he will teach her a thing or two about pleasures of flesh.
• formidable werewolf Alpha found his mate who was an abused, weak she-wolf (without her wolf, often rejected by her previous mate). Ah, but she is actually a super-rare (and powerful) white wolf and she blooms into a fantastic character with the help of her doting mate.

All those will work, because readers will eat up that classic weak-to-strong storyline when the bad guys get a healthy dose of karma, and true love conquers all obstacles.

Warning: if you are only going to copy what’s already out there, you won’t get that trending novel that’s setting the internet on fire.

It’s also important to mention that if you get too much into someone else’s work, you can get accused of plagiarism and your novel will be taken down, or worse.

It’s perfectly OK that your main storyline is a cliché. Read other successful novels in your target genre to get inspired.

However, you need to make the story yours by adding mystery, unique twists, and unexpected a-ha moments, and presenting it all with your unique writing style.

Important: flush out any gaps in your storyline and make it believable even if it’s fictional.

Spice it up with romance

Why would you add romance to your story?

One third of book sales are romance novels, exceeding $1 billion year after year, proving that love makes the world go around.

Everyone dreams about finding their perfect lover, and through your characters, your readers can relive their fantasies.

• Did your FL conquer the icy CEO who will buy her the world?
• Did a shy girl without background end up being a mate to a werewolf Alpha who will kiss the ground she is walking on?
• Or maybe your hero is male, with his eyes set on the unreachable princess?

Anything goes.

Your storytelling should allow your readers to get close and personal with your leads, especially during intimate moments.

How intimate? It depends on your writing style.

Some authors write how the ML carries the FL into the bedroom and closes the door, and the next scene is him making breakfast with a goofy smile on his face.

There are authors that will get into every little touch, lick, bite, pinch, spank, and kiss of what happened in that bedroom as ML and FL indulged in carnal pleasures to the point of windows getting foggy.

And then there are authors who will be somewhere in-between those two.

Any of those will have their audience.

Keep in mind that the female audience cares about emotions. There needs to be a buildup where air starts sizzling around them in anticipation of what’s to come. Butterflies in the stomach, holding breath, heated gazes, goosebumps… you got the point.

If you plan to write just about the mechanic of the act, you might as well stick to stopping when they close the door behind them.

Name your chapters

With chapters going from 1000+ words, your novel could have 300+ chapters. Some online novels have thousands of chapters!

In general, naming your chapters as 1, 2, 3, etc. is not a good experience for readers because those numbers don’t mean anything to them.

Meaningfully named chapters are handy for readers who want to go back and read again their favorite parts of your story.

Also, readers love to read the chapter title and guess what the chapter is about. They will gloat if they got it right, or be impressed by your unexpected twist. Anything is possible.

Listen to your readers

The unique advantage of online novels vs traditional publishing is that your readers can comment on your work as you publish chapters.

See how your readers are reacting to your characters and situations you put them in and make adjustments to your story as you go. A happy reader is a paying reader.

Be present

MyFavReads is allowing you to communicate with your readers through our platform.

By responding to their comments, you are making them feel important. It’s a handy feature. Use it.

You and your moderators should be active in the comments section in order to establish and grow a community around your novel. Those readers will become fans that will stick around for your next book as well.

Treat your readers

This can score you extra points and create long-term fans.

How can you treat your readers?

Show them that you noticed their support.

For this purpose, MyFavReads platform is providing several convenient features:

• Respond to reader’s comments. Discuss the storyline (no spoilers!) and thank them for their support.
• Give shoutout in the “Author’s notes” section of the chapter where you will call out readers who made an interesting comment, or who gave you a generous gift.
• Leave space in your story for side-characters that you can use for the purpose of giving cameos. If the reader getting a cameo can pick a few traits for the fictional character, it will make it more special.
• Engage your readers by asking them to name your characters.
• MyFavReads platform has a feature where you can send coins and vouchers as presents to your readers.
• You can organize events where you will track who made the most comments within the given period, and reward winners with a shoutout in a bonus chapter.

Make your readers feel like they are part of the process and that they can impact the story.

Do you have other ideas? Share them with us in the comments.

This is the first post in the How to be a successful author on MyFavReads series. Continue reading more tips in part 2 here.