How it works
One story, many readers, one road at a time.
An author publishes a chapter, asks a question, and gives readers time to vote. In reader-steered stories, the result decides what happens next. In advisory stories, the author has the final say. Here’s how it works.
The author publishes a chapter
Read the story one chapter at a time, with images or other media where they add something. Authors set their own schedule; weekly chapters are the plan for the alpha. The main story is free to read, start to finish, always; paid extras, when they come, are never needed to follow it.
The Ninth Gate · ch. 12
The Vault Under the Fair
The gate had not been opened in forty years, and the lock knew it: it took the key the way old men take stairs…
At key chapters, a vote opens
At a turning point, the author offers two to four possible directions and sets a deadline. You’ll find the question at the end of the chapter, where the choice belongs. Read the options, talk them over, and vote before it closes.
Chapter 12 · the vote
closes in 6d 02hRead the chapter, then vote
Your vote counts once your reading progress is verified. This helps keep decisions with the people following the story. Results stay hidden until you vote, so you can make your own choice before seeing the tally. One reader, one vote. Votes are never for sale.
After you vote — the reveal
Know what your vote means
Before chapter one, the author chooses a rule. Readers steer means the author follows the winning vote. Advisory means the author considers the vote but makes the final choice. The badge is visible from the start and stays the same throughout the story. AI-assisted images have a separate label.
The story continues. Other paths can too.
In a reader-steered story, the next chapter follows the winning choice. With an advisory vote, the author decides. Either way, the road not taken isn’t deleted: the author can write it out as a side story (the same fork, the other choice), though not every option will be written. Side stories already published stay readable. The story map shows your place, earlier forks, and written side stories, with unread chapters hidden to avoid spoilers.