Can Authors Self-Publish On Qidian Underground Platform?

Great question — here's the lowdown in plain, friendly terms: Qidian (起点中文网) is one of the biggest hubs for web novels in China, and its international arm is known as webnovel. What people sometimes call 'Qidian Underground' usually refers to unofficial channels, niche sub-forums, or community-run sites that host works outside the official ecosystem. That means there isn’t a widely recognized, official ‘Qidian Underground’ self-publishing portal run by China Literature where anyone can just upload and go; mainstream, legitimate routes into the Qidian family tend to be either through the official Qidian editorial recruitment/contract process for Chinese-language authors or through Webnovel’s self-publishing system for global (mostly English) writers.

If you want to self-publish into the official, legal ecosystem, Webnovel is the most straightforward entry point for independent authors writing in English. From my experience watching writer communities, the typical path is: register as an author, pass identity verification, set up your work (series description, cover, tags), and then publish chapters. Webnovel offers a combination of free-to-read, paywalled chapters, and rewards from readers (coins, premium chapter purchases, subscription fees), and there are also Contest and promotion opportunities. On the Chinese side, writers who aspire to appear on Qidian often go through scouting programs, sign exclusive contracts with editorial teams, and sometimes receive advances. Those processes are more curated and competitive compared to Webnovel’s open platform model.

A few practical cautions I always mention to friends: avoid unofficial or “underground” sites that host pirated content — they may look attractive because of quick exposure, but they’re legally risky and rarely pay authors fairly (if at all). Likewise, read any contract carefully if you get an offer from a platform: exclusivity clauses, IP rights, translation/derivative rights, and payment terms can vary a lot. If you’re planning translations or cross-posting to other platforms (like Royal Road, Tapas, or Amazon kdp), make sure you control your rights or have explicit permissions from any publisher you sign with. For many indie authors I know, starting on Webnovel gives visibility and revenue options without the heavier editorial gatekeeping of Qidian’s Chinese editorial system, but going the Qidian route can lead to bigger IP deals, adaptations, and stronger editorial support if you’re accepted.

I love how many options there are today for writers, and honestly it’s exciting to see indie creators build audiences without waiting for a traditional publishing deal. If your goal is to reach readers legally and earn from your writing, aim for the official Webnovel route for English self-publishing or apply through Qidian’s official channels for Chinese publishing — steer clear of piracy hubs and get clear terms on your rights. Either way, getting your story out there is the fun part, and I’m always cheering for writers who take the leap.