Publishing online--be careful--most publishers or agents don't want already published work.

AI Overview

Yes, you absolutely can publish uncompleted novels, or Works In Progress (WIPs), on Archive of Our Own (AO3) , as it's a living archive designed for ongoing stories; the key is to clearly label them as unfinished, often using tags like "Abandoned Work: Unfinished and Discontinued" or in the summary/notes, so readers know what to expect. It's a great way to share stories that might never be finished, allowing others to enjoy what you have or even write fan continuations if you give permission.

Best Practices for Posting Unfinished Novels on AO3:

Label Clearly: Use the "Abandoned Work: Unfinished and Discontinued" tag or add notes in the summary/top of the chapter saying it's a WIP.

Use Tags: Tag appropriately for the fandom (if applicable, otherwise use "Original Work") and story status.

Be Honest: Let readers know if you have no plans to finish it to manage expectations.

Consider Collections: You can group unfinished stories into a collection.

Save Drafts: Use the draft feature for works you're actively writing, but be aware they auto-delete after 30 days, so save your original files.

Important Consideration for Traditional Publishing:

Avoid Mixing: If you plan to traditionally publish your work later, posting it on AO3 (or anywhere online) can prevent you from getting a traditional publishing deal, as publishers want first publication rights.

Self-Publishing: Self-publishing is fine with online availability, but traditional publishers often require the work to be completely removed from the internet first.

r/AO3 on Reddit: I have a lot of unfinished fics I never posted, I don’t ... Oct 8, 2025 — Comments Section * cardiovorus. • 3mo ago. You can post what you want, as long as you're sure you want it archived for ... Reddit

Should you post unfinished works on AO3? - Reddit Mar 26, 2025 — You totally can, but it'd be best to warn readers either in the summary or the notes at the top of the first chapter s... Reddit r/AO3 on Reddit: Can you still publish original stories as books ... Dec 30, 2023 — If you are wanting to traditionally publish, you should not post your story online. All traditional publishers and mos... Reddit