#inkitt

Each week (or so), we'll highlight the relevant (and sometimes rage-inducing) news adjacent to writing and freedom of expression. This week:

Inkitt’s AI-powered fiction factory

Inkitt started in the mid-2010s as a cozy platform where anyone could share their writing. Fast forward twenty twenty-fuckkkkk, and like most startups, it’s pivoted hard into AI-fueled content production with the soul of an algorithm.

Pictured: Inkitt preparing human-generated work for an AI-powered flume ride to The Unknown.

Here’s how it works: Inkitt monitors reader engagement with tracking software, then picks popular stories to publish on its premium app, Galatea. From there, stories can get spun into sequels, spinoffs, or adapted for GalateaTV… often with minimal author involvement. Authors get an undisclosed cut of revenue, but for most, it’s a fraction of what they’d earn with a traditional publisher (let alone self-publishing).

“'They prey on new writers who have no idea what they’re doing,' said the writer of one popular Galatea series."

Many, many authors have side-eyed or outright decried the platform as inherently predatory for years, due to nebulous payout promises. And much of the concern centers on contracts that don’t require authors’ consent for editorial changes or AI-generated “additions” to the original text.

Now, Inkitt has gone full DiSrUpTiOn, leaning heavily on generative AI to ghostwrite, edit, generate audiobook narration, and design covers, under the banner of “democratizing storytelling.” (AI? In my democratized storytelling platform? It’s more likely than you think.)

Pictured: Inkitt’s CEO looking at the most-read stories.

But Inkitt’s CEO doesn’t seem too concerned about what authors think: “His business model doesn’t need them.”

The company recently raised $37 million, with backers including former CEOs of Sony, Penguin, and HarperCollins, proving once again that publishing loves a disruptor… as long as it disrupts creatives, not capital. And more AI companies are mushrooming up to chase the same vision: “a vision of human-created art becoming the raw material for AI-powered, corporate-owned content-production machines—a scenario in which humans would play an ever-shrinking role.”

(Not to say we predicted this, but…)

Welcome to the creator-industrial complex.

Publishers to AI: Stop stealing our stuff (please?)

Major publishers—including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Vox Media—have launched a "Support Responsible AI" campaign, urging the U.S. government to regulate AI's use of copyrighted content.

Like last month's campaigns by the Authors Guild and the UK's Society of Authors, there's a website where where you can (and should!) contact your representatives to say, “Hey, maybe stop letting billion-dollar tech giants strip-mine journalism.”

The campaign’s ads carry slogans like “Stop AI Theft” and “AI Steals From You Too” and call for legislation that would force AI companies to pay for the content they train on and clearly label AI-generated content with attribution. This follows lobbying by OpenAI and Google to make it legal to scrape and train on copyrighted material without consent.

The publishers assert they are not explicitly anti-AI, but advocate for a “fair” system that respects intellectual property and supports journalism.

But… awkward, The Washington Post—now owned by Jeff Bezos—has reportedly already struck a deal with OpenAI to license and summarize its content. So, mixed signals.

Still, as the campaign reminds us: “Stealing is un-American.”

(Unless it’s profitable.)

#WarForever

We at Ellipsus love a good meme-turned-megaproject. Back in January, the-app-formerly-known-as-Twitter user @lolt64 tweeted a cryptic line about "the frozen wastes of europa,” the earliest reference to the never-ending war on Jupiter’s icy moon.

A slew of bleak dispatches from weary, doomed soldiers entrenched on Europa’s ice fields snowballed (iceberged?) into a sprawling saga, yes-and-ing with fan art, vignettes, and memes under the hashtag #WarForever.

It’s not quite X’s answer to Goncharov: It turns out WarForever is some flavor of viral marketing for a tabletop RPG zine. But the internet ran with it anyway, with NASA playing the Scorcese of the stars.

In a digital hellworld increasingly dominated by AI slopification, data harvesting, and “content at scale,” projects like WarForever are a blessed reminder that creativity—actual, human creativity—perseveres.

Even on a frozen moon. Even here.

Let us know if you find something other writers should know about, (or join our Discord and share it there!)

- The Ellipsus Team xo

(This creative image belongs to their respective creator i just wanted the others to see it too!)

So, I decided to write the first chapter here and if you're interested please reconsider to visit the wattpad website I already provided in my page and it's pinned. If you don't have wattpad I did write in 2 other platforms which I will share later on.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1: The Journal of Storms

 The garden was always prettier when no one spoke. 

Well that’s what Elara believed, because no one warned  her that growing up there is like learning a language no one ever spoke aloud. Even silence seems to have a place in society. But she doesn’t mind as she has the sky as company, she stares up at it whilst smiling to herself. It was beautiful, big and full of wondrous things one can learn. 

She was laying down on the vast green field, the grass tickling her neck. It was a comforting sensation for her especially with the soft breeze passing through resulting in some leaves taken away from its tree. The sun was shining, clouds could be seen drifting slowly in the blue and multiple flowers were blooming. Elara rolled on her belly, reaching a hand into her brown satchel bag. She pulled out a green leathered book with the first page written in big letters ‘The Journal of Storms’. She got her metal dip pen as well and black ink, dipping it carefully into it and writing in messy cursive of what she’s saying at the moment.

She’s aware that no storm will be happening any time, not soon, not during the middle of April at least. But she likes the name, it has an interesting ring to it. The journal doesn’t always contain about weathers and storms, mostly but not always. She wrote anything in it if she feels like it, it’s not only literal but a metaphor as well. It was a journal of her stormy, swirling emotions, often changing with just a little push. 

She wrote about the breeze, the grass, clouds, the sun, and everything that caught her eye at the moment. A moment that she really enjoys.

Sadly, the tranquility was short lived.

“Elara, dear. Come back inside please”

The voice was instantly recognizable. It was clear and commanding. The voice of a woman in her late 40s. That woman was Elara’s aunt.

She was a fine lady, elegant and poised. Yet Elara thinks she’s too restrained, the corset she wears daily doesn’t help either. Everything about her was suffocating and hard to breathe, but she loves her anyways. 

Elara looks over her shoulder, seeing her aunt with a beautiful polonaise-style dress with a draped overskirt in a rich spring tone. Elara thought it was beautiful, yet quite impractical. How could someone walk in these without tripping? She looks at her own worn-out dress, boring with the color of the earth and white stockings paired with the same black boots she’s been wearing since who knows when. 

Pulling her out of her trance on dresses and gowns, her aunt tapped her shoulder carefully. Looking at her with a worried gaze. 

“Elara, honey, what are you doing out here? Is the grass not itching you? Come on now, let’s go inside. The weather is starting to get warm,” she gently hoisted her up by the elbow forcing Elara to stand on her feet.  “But Aunt Aurelia, the weather is actually quite pleasant. Don’t you think so?” she frowned. 

She stumbled along her aunt, trying to keep up with her long strides. She could hear a sigh coming from her mouth, a clear sign she isn’t that happy at the moment. “Have you forgotten? The Velcrest are visiting today for an afternoon tea and I expect you to come on time,” she muttered in a stern tone. Elara frowned, again with the Velcrest? What is it that they want? She barely knew the family and she barely cares about how much power or money they have. All that she remembers is that Lord Velcrest and his wife were just a bunch of snotty old people who looked down on her. 

Sensing Elara’s disdain, Aunt Aurelia looks back at her with a softer expression. She walks slower now though still not letting go of her arms. “I know you don’t like them that much, but we have to be polite to them. They’re an influential family. One must avoid disappointing them.” Elara’s brows were still furrowed, she still stayed quiet. But something made her look up, a curious glint painted across her whole face at Aunt Aurelia’s next words.

“They’ll be bringing their daughter. She’s around the same age as you, perhaps you’ll grow to like her.” Now that made Elana smile faintly,  she wasn’t always fond of rich kids, especially daughters. Her and them don’t seem to connect that much but that doesn’t stop her from hoping she’ll finally meet a nice friend to talk to. 

Elara nodded, “I suppose that’s worth coming to the tea party… Is she nice?”

“She’s very pleasant. She likes reading as well, maybe you can talk about that new book you’ve read… What was it called? Ah, Franky-stain or whatever…,” she answered. 

Elara giggled softly, not bothering to correct her aunt. She always seems to be thinking about dirt and stains, even mistaking the book ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelly as ‘Franky-stain’. Close enough… Elara thought.

Once reaching the big and white pristine manor of The Whitcombe household, Aunt Aurelia ushered Elara to get ready instantly. She was clearly hoping she would dress up more properly this time as she looks at Elara’s form retreating to the stairs.

The manor was big, that’s for sure. It feels too big though, isolated and cold. The white unstained walls seem to be staring back at her scrawny figure as she continues her journey through the hallway. Her steps make no noise against the red carpeted floor as she looks out the window. She stopped suddenly when she saw who’s in front of her.  

It was a figure who stood a head taller than most men in the estate. Lanky, all elbows and knees, with dirty blonde hair sun-lightened at the tips from sun and sea-salt. For a servant, he was easy to look at, not refined, but honest. The sort of face that weather made better instead of worse. 

He was in the middle of polishing silverware which she swore she saw him do this morning, leaning back lazily against the wall. He finally looks up as he straightens his posture slightly. Sending her a crooked grin that made her feel irritated somehow. 

“Stop smiling at me like that,” she half-heartedly glared at him. “Good day too, Elara,” he answered. 

His voice was smooth with a thick French lilt, speaking in slightly broken English. She raised an eyebrow at him, eyeing the silverware. “Are you not bored at polishing that plate for the second or maybe even third time today?”

He chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. Elara knows his behavior all too well, especially after living together for years now. He was too relaxed at times, often talking to someone of higher hierarchy with the same casualness he would be speaking to someone of his age or level. It was honestly refreshing, no acting, only the carelessness of this boy she befriended. “You know, if you really wish for good payment this month you need to work more properly.”     He nodded as a reply, finally putting down the silverware to leave. Elara rolled her eyes, he’s a bit odd sometimes in her opinion but then again she’s quite the same.

“He could’ve at least said a goodbye,” she murmured as she continued her walk. 

Once reaching her room, she opened the wardrobe instantly to search for a good dress. Her room was unorganized and a cluster of papers were lying on the floor. Her bed was still unmade as she preferred to not let any servants touch her belongings. But the worst was her desk, half opened journals, crumpled papers, random books she pulled out from her shelves all stacked into one tall tower, and a pen near the edge ready to fall to its doom. But she doesn’t mind, it was a unique aesthetic for her eyes. In fact, she thought it looked cozy and lively, full of personalities. 

Her Aunt thought otherwise, in her eyes it was a most unfortunate display of disorder. Aunt Aurelia had tried to coax Elara to at least try to clean it once in a while but she always refused, she liked it that way.

That doesn’t mean she likes angering her Aunt, if she can’t organize her desk, Elara could organize her appearance for the afternoon tea. She found a simple long sleeves drab dress in pretty soft sage green, it wasn’t much but it was enough for today. She puts it on quickly, pulling out a new pair of black stockings and puts it on before going to her dressing table to stare at her appearance.

“Good enough. Aunt Aurelia won’t be so disappointed today,” she faintly smiled whilst doing a little twirl. 

She finally sat down as she brushed her hair, it was the color of brown that feels and looks warm. It was always untidy but she brushed it the best she could. She set down the brush, looking at her hair that was still quite untidy (though better than usual) and shrugged as she stood up. She descended down the stairs fast, skipping a step or two. Once reaching the ground floor she walked past the many rooms and reached for the doorknob that leads to the backyard. 

The backyard was always beautiful with the stepping stones and insects buzzing nearby. It looks even more enchanted during spring. The trees haven’t grown too tall to the sky yet, the flowers are still small. But it was a sign of growth and  everything needs patience for change. The grasses crunched under Elera’s boots as she skipped towards the glass gazebo in the middle. As she moved forward, she stopped half a step. Someone she hadn't met before was standing in the gazebo near the Velcrest couple. Could it be their daughter? 

She opened the door to enter the glass building. As she stepped inside, she saw the girl better now. She wasn’t much older than Elara, her features as soft and elegant as a white swan. For one second Elara genuinely thought she was a swan princess like from those old fairytales. Her hand was neatly folded on her lap as she sat with a perfect posture on one of the wooden chairs provided there. 

Her hair was a pale shade of blonde, it cascaded down her back like a waterfall you’ll only see once. Her features were soft but her light blue eyes had a piercing coldness to it. Her skin is fair and pale.

We had eye contact for a couple of seconds, she nodded at her as she smiled in return. Her smile looks too controlled, as if she practiced that in front of the mirror everyday. She certainly looks more like her mother as her mother had the same hair, though she’s a bit more gangly and long, while Lord Velcrest was just a lumpy old man with a nonexistent chin and neck. 

Elara stared at the dress the other girl wore, a puffed up short sleeves dress that reached below her knee in cerulean blue decorated with white laced up ribbons on the area around her chest. The look was completed with a long white glove that reached her elbows. Elara frowned at that. Long gloves in spring? 

She felt the touch of her Aunt on her back, guiding her to greet the Vecrest family. Lord Velcrest just stared at her with slightly droopy eyes as if uninterested and his wife was looking intently at her face, particularly around the freckles, lips, and her hair. Elara straightened her dress as she smiled widely, her buck teeth showing clearly and the wide gap it comes with.

“A pleasure to meet the Velcrest family once again. I hope you find the tea and biscuits our servants prepared to your liking,” she stated, looking at her Aunt with a proud expression.

Elara was trying to be on her best behaviour, mostly just so she could be excused faster with her possible new friend. First impressions were always important. The Velcrest family answered with a curt nod. “Yes, it tastes pleasant. Not too sweet nor is it too bland. The perfect amount of sugar,” the wife commented. 

“How was your day, Elara?” she continued. 

Elara nodded repeatedly, “I’m doing alright Lady Velcrest, thank you for asking.”

As Elara and Lady Velcrest were exchanging pleasantries, Lord Velcrest decided to open his mouth to comment as well. “Have you brushed your hair young lady? I’ve heard you often forgot to do that from your aunt,” he inquired casually. 

Aunt Aurelia laughed awkwardly, her hand moving to fix Elara’s hair. “Oh, well… Kids… Especially ones that are still growing. They’re quite forgetful.” 

Elara moved her head from her Aunt’s hands, “Actually I have today. My hair always looks like this Lord Velcrest, perhaps you’ll get it one day. I’m aware that the lack of hair on your head made you assume that having thick hair was easy.”

She said it in the politest tone she could. Her hand instinctively went to her hair as she stared at the ground. She could feel Lord Velcrest’s scornful look he’s pointing towards her. Lady Velcrest had a startled expression on her, her eyebrows shooting upwards, eyes wide. But what piqued Elara’s attention was the daughter who seemed to be holding in a smile. Elara was about to smile back when she could feel Aunt Aurelia’s strong grip on her arm, she could hear her scoff in disappointment. “Elara, watch your tone young lady. My apologies, Lord Velcrest. She was always quite the blabber mouth. I hope you can forgive her,” Aunt Aurelia apologized. Lord Velcrest just cleared his throat, sitting up straighter as he patted his balding heads. “Ah, of course, it’s not a big deal Ms. Whitcombe. Children just don't seem to know better sometimes,” though he said it with a sharp edge to his tone.  

An awkward pause filled the silence before Lady Velcrest finally spoke, “Elara… Meet my daughter, Seraphine. She just turned 14 this January, so she’s around your age. I hope you’ll be good friends.”

Lady Velcrest gently took Seraphine’s hand to pull her up. Seraphine was an inch or two taller than Elara as she tilted her head slightly to meet her gaze. 

“Ah yes, Seraphine, this is my niece Elara. How about you both kids go and chat a little around the garden while we talk about other matters?” Aunt Aureli ushered them both outside the gazebo. “We’ll call you once we’re done dear,” she said her final words and closed the door. 

It seems like Elara’s last sentence had made a bit of a shake, though it was normal for her to be blunt at what she’s thinking. She now stared at the person with the beauty of a white swan next to her. They both made eye contact, none spoke first. This could be an interesting start to a new friendship.

-------

Fanfiction 🧡💚

Título: Ligado a tí

Autora: GrohoR Juvia

Disponible en INKITT 🌸

Resumen de la historia:

Nuestro hermoso doncel Izuku, ha sido secuestrado por lo que parece ser unos seres de otro planeta!.

Asustado y solo, tendrá que estar con esos seres llamados Anzons, que por lo visto quieren una raza de hembras que permitan reproducirse con sus machos, ya que el n° de machos es superior a sus hembras y están en peligro de extinción.

Pero no todo es malo, ahí conocerá a un hermoso ser de la raza Zorn llamado Katsuki, un Alien fuerte y valiente que lo tomará como suyo y lo protegerá con su vida, enamorándose poco a poco el uno al otro.

Izuku y katsuki se integrarán en una aventura para que su amor se fortalezca, a pesar de la obvia razón de ser de dos mundos distintos. Eso no les impide avanzar hacia su camino a la felicidad.

Muuuy Erótico, puro y duro.

Izuku Botton-boypussy 🥦

Katsuki Seme-Top 💥

Hola ;)

Estoy escribiendo una novela fanfiction.

Mis historias mayormente van dirigidas al fandom de Miraculous pero puede que haga historias variadas en temática.

Si te gusta el Ship Lukagami te invito a leer mi novela.

Estoy en wattpad y en Inkitt: en ambas estoy como “Sshipper_”

Igual les dejo el link.

-Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/Sshipper_

-Inkitt: https://inkitt.com/Sshipper_

Creating characters can sometimes be difficult. Not only do you have to connect to the characters personally so their personalities shine in your work but you also have to think about their goals, their likes, dislikes and what would make your readers want them to have a happy ending. So how do you do it?

Well I make a brief template first of all;

Name:

Age:

Gender:

Powers:

Personality:

Description:

Likes:

Dislikes:

Fears:

Backstory:

From there I think about the kind of world I want to put them in and what dangers they will face and how they will handle said danger. Throughout the book you want your character to grow as a person, allowing more and more readers to relate to them so are they starting off the book already strong willed or will they be a coward?

I was here for BETA!!