Introduction

In today’s digital publishing landscape, many aspiring authors wonder, “What company pays $200 for finishing a novel?” While the idea sounds too good to be true, there are legitimate opportunities for writers to earn rewards or compensation for completing and submitting their work—though the structure may not always be a straightforward payment. In this article, we’ll examine where to find such opportunities, how compensation usually works, and what you need to know to avoid scams and set realistic expectations.

Understanding the Question: Is There Really a Company That Pays $200?

The question “What company pays $200 for finishing a novel?” is frequently asked by new and aspiring writers searching for recognition and monetary reward. In most cases, companies or platforms don’t offer direct payment simply for finishing a novel. Instead, they offer performance-based incentives, contest rewards, or publishing agreements that may include advance payments or royalties.

Some platforms may advertise upfront payments, but they usually come with terms, such as meeting word count goals, reader engagement metrics, or being selected through a competitive process.

Platforms Offering Compensation for Finished Novels

Here are some reputable companies and platforms that offer payment, promotion, or publishing deals for finished novels:

1. Inkitt

Inkitt is a popular writing platform that runs regular contests. If your novel gains strong engagement from readers, Inkitt may offer you a publishing deal through its own hybrid imprint, Galatea. Authors don’t receive a direct payment for finishing the novel, but once accepted, the company offers royalties and performance-based bonuses, which could exceed $200.

2. Webnovel / Dreame / GoodNovel

These platforms target serialized fiction, especially romance, fantasy, and drama genres. They offer Writer Benefits Programs where authors who meet certain milestones (such as word count, readership, and update frequency) can earn payments. In some cases, writers can receive monthly bonuses of $200 or more for consistent output and popularity.

Note: These platforms often cater to specific genres and readers, and terms vary widely. Always read the fine print before committing your manuscript.

3. Swoon Reads (Macmillan)

Although not offering a fixed $200 reward, Swoon Reads allows readers to vote on manuscripts submitted to the platform. If your book gets selected for publication, you can receive a publishing contract with an advance payment—which may exceed $200—plus royalties.

4. Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and Kindle Vella

With Amazon’s KDP, authors earn royalties from book sales and page reads. While Amazon doesn’t pay upfront for finishing a novel, authors who serialize stories on Kindle Vella (especially in the U.S.) can earn bonuses based on engagement. Some authors have reported monthly bonuses over $200 for active stories with strong reader engagement.

Writing Contests That Offer Cash Prizes

Image by: Yandex.com

If you’re wondering what company pays $200 for finishing a novel, another angle is writing contests. While not all are guaranteed income, many competitions offer $200 or more in cash prizes for completed novels or excerpts:

1. Wattys Awards (Wattpad)

Hosted by Wattpad, the Wattys are one of the largest online writing contests. While the grand prize typically includes publishing contracts or larger payments, some category winners or finalists may receive cash prizes, promotion, and exposure worth at least $200.

2. Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition

This prestigious contest includes a category for genre novels, and winners receive cash awards starting at $500. Entry fees apply, but it’s a credible opportunity with thousands of entrants each year.

3. The Book Pipeline Contest

This competition helps authors get their novels in front of agents, editors, and producers. While it doesn’t directly offer $200 for finishing a novel, the exposure and prize packages (including cash) make it worth considering.

Ghostwriting Services: An Alternative to Direct Payment

If you’re looking to earn money upfront and already have strong writing skills, you might consider working with ghostwriting services. These companies connect freelance writers with clients who want books written for them.

While this model differs from getting paid for finishing your own novel, ghostwriters are often paid per word or per project, with starting rates that can easily exceed $200 per book.

Pro Tip: Ghostwriting services often require writing samples and proven experience, but they can be a great way to earn income while building your portfolio.

Red Flags to Avoid: Protect Yourself from Scams

The internet is full of questionable offers claiming to pay writers for finishing novels. To ensure you don’t fall for a scam, be cautious of the following red flags:

• Upfront Fees: Legitimate companies don’t require you to pay to be published (vanity publishers often do).
• Guaranteed Payment for All Submissions: No company pays every writer just for submitting or finishing a novel unless it’s through a vetted program.
• Lack of Clear Terms: Always read user agreements, royalty structures, and payment timelines carefully.
• Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers: If it promises high payment without effort or competition, it’s likely a scam.

Realistic Expectations and Earning Strategy

Rather than searching for “what company pays $200 for finishing a novel” in a literal sense, it’s more practical to adopt a multi-step strategy:

1. Finish and Edit Your Novel Professionally: Polish your manuscript and consider hiring a professional editor or using ghostwriting services if you need help with structure, pacing, or tone.
2. Submit to Competitions and Publishing Platforms: Target contests or platforms that reward high-quality writing and reader engagement.
3. Build an Audience: Share your work on platforms like Wattpad, Medium, or your personal blog to build a reader base.
4. Consider Self-Publishing: Use KDP or similar services to sell your work, earning royalties that can compound over time.
5. Explore Hybrid and Indie Publishers: Many small publishers offer fair royalty agreements and small advances (sometimes $200+) for promising manuscripts.

Conclusion

To sum up, the answer to “What company pays $200 for finishing a novel?” is nuanced. While no major publisher guarantees a $200 payout just for completing a manuscript, multiple platforms, writing contests, and content services do offer $200 or more in rewards or earnings for finished work—if certain criteria are met.

The key is to approach the publishing and writing industry with realistic expectations, a willingness to improve your craft, and an eye for legitimate opportunities. Whether through reader-driven platforms, writing competitions, or professional ghostwriting services, there are several ways for writers to be compensated for their hard work and creativity.