Introduction
Project Name: LitPad
Organization: LitPad Platforms
Project Description:
Current fiction platforms often restrict writers to certain genres, limit their control over content, and offer significantly low earnings compared to the revenue their stories generate. These platforms frequently charge readers high fees for quality stories, leaving them frustrated and looking for alternatives.
As a professional fiction writer, I’ve personally experienced these issues, which inspired my team to create LitPad.
LitPad is an author-friendly platform where writers can publish novels, and readers can access a diverse range of stories for an affordable monthly fee—similar to streaming services like Netflix or Spotify. We developed this approach based on feedback from our MVP users.
Thanks to a small grant from Sia, we built our MVP and launched a pilot program with 20 testers. Their feedback highlighted key insights and issues:
- Writers noted concerns with web app loading times and glitches during login and publishing.
- Readers requested a mobile app for better accessibility.
After completing the grant, we launched a waitlist which currently has over 1,400 signups. Our new WhatsApp channel has quickly gained over 600 followers, with around 20% actively engaging each week.
Based on pilot feedback, we are seeking additional funding to advance our platform with the following initiatives:
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Web App Upgrade: Revamping the web app with Next.js to enhance responsiveness and streamline user experience. Implementing a subscription-based business model to pay writers about 70% of monthly book profits based on metrics like reading time, views, and votes, ensuring transparency and fairness.
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Backend and Server Improvements: Addressing speed issues by migrating to a private AWS server with load balancing for both the web app and backend. The backend will remain in Go, and writers can continue publishing directly from the web app.
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Mobile App Development: Developing a mobile app for iOS and Android using Flutter to make stories easily accessible on the go. Most publishing features will remain on the web app.
Who Benefits from LitPad?
- Fiction Writers:
- Fair Compensation: Writers receive performance-based earnings, keeping about 70% of profits generated by their stories.
- Creative Freedom: LitPad supports multiple genres, allowing writers creative control.
- Data Ownership: Writers retain control over their published content, managing storage and intellectual property.
- Supportive Community: LitPad fosters a supportive network for writers, creating growth opportunities and direct engagement with readers.
- Readers:
- Affordable Access: LitPad’s subscription model offers access to a wide variety of stories at a low monthly fee.
- Quality and Variety: Readers can explore a range of genres and storytelling styles.
- Convenience: LitPad’s mobile and web apps make stories accessible anytime, anywhere.
- Direct Engagement with Authors: Readers can connect with authors through ratings and feedback, building stronger connections with the stories they love.
How does the project serve the Foundation’s mission of user-owned data?
LitPad fully supports the Sia Foundation’s mission of user-owned data by putting control back into the hands of writers. On LitPad, authors retain ownership of their work, managing their own content, data, and intellectual property without restrictions. By using secure, decentralized storage, we ensure that authors’ work is protected, accessible, and safe from unauthorized access, allowing them to truly own their creations.
Our platform is built to prioritize transparency, so writers always know how their data is used and stored. LitPad empowers writers by creating a fair and supportive space where they can publish freely and maintain complete control over their work, staying true to the vision of a user-owned data future.
We cannot provide grants to residents of jurisdictions under increased FATF monitoring, those that have active OFAC sanctions, or those that fail our bank compliance tests. We also cannot provide grants if your payment bank account is located in those same locations. Please review the following list.
Are you a resident of any jurisdiction on that list? Yes
Will your payment bank account be located in any jurisdiction on that list? No
Grant Details
Requested Amount and Budget Breakdown:
We are requesting $24,500 to revamp our web app and develop and launch our mobile app on iOS and Android. The grant will cover:
- Dev/Product team salaries for three months at $8,000/month.
- Additional costs ($500) for server migration to AWS, storage fees, and app store enrollments (Apple Developer and Google Play Console).
Project Timeline and Deliverables
Month 1: Foundation for Backend Subscription and Web Frontend Rework
Objective: Set up the subscription model, rework web frontend with Next.js, and design mobile UI prototype.
- Backend Team: Subscription model setup with Stripe integration, backend endpoints for subscription verification, and compatibility testing.
- Frontend Team: Web frontend rework in Next.js for UI responsiveness, Stripe checkout integration.
- Product Team: Mobile UI prototyping, ensuring alignment with web design.
Evaluation: Stripe-integrated subscription model, responsive web frontend, and prototyped mobile UI.
Month 2: Mobile App Development and Cross-Platform Integration
Objective: Develop mobile app core features, integrate web and mobile subscriptions, and fine-tune the web experience.
- Backend Team: Finalize subscription integration across web and mobile platforms, ensuring secure payment handling.
- Frontend Team: Develop mobile app in Flutter with reading and subscription interfaces; integrate Google Pay and Apple Pay for real-time subscriptions.
- Product Team: Refine web subscription flow and optimize cross-device experience.
Evaluation: Core mobile features functional; optimized web frontend with tested subscription flows.
Month 3: Beta Testing, Optimization, and Deployment
Objective: Complete beta testing, optimize based on feedback, and deploy web and mobile apps.
- Backend Team: Load testing and security optimization for stable performance.
- Frontend Team: Beta testing and feedback collection; implement necessary optimizations and deploy for live use.
Evaluation: Stable, optimized, and live web and mobile apps; completion report for the Grants Committee.
Risks and Mitigation
- Technical Challenges: Developing seamless web and mobile experiences, including subscription payouts, may require complex integrations.
- Resource Constraints: Limited funding could stretch resources, potentially slowing progress or reducing project scope.
- Adoption and Engagement: Attracting writers and readers is essential for platform growth; low engagement could limit success.
- Platform Performance: Consistency is key—technical issues could deter users.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring compliance with global payment processing regulations is critical.
- Content Quality: Maintaining quality while allowing freedom requires effective moderation.
To mitigate these risks, we’ll use contingency plans, comprehensive testing, and transparent communication.
Development Details
Open-Source Commitment: Yes, all LitPad code will be open-source.
Repository: https://github.com/LitPad
Monthly Progress Reports: Yes, we will submit monthly reports.
Contact
Email: [email protected]