The concept of heroes and heroines has been a central theme in storytelling. From old myths to modern literature, the same concept has been depicted in various ways, each representing different ideals and qualities that set them apart from the rest.

Meanwhile, the term ‘hero’ isn’t isolated to superheroes or epic fantasy characters. Every lead, every character in fiction can be classified under the term ‘hero’. 

Here, we will explore eight types of heroes found in fictional books that drive the plots forward and help readers connect and relate with books on a more emotional level, and even begin to root for them!

The Reluctant Hero

This is a character who is initially reluctant to take on the challenges and responsibilities of being a hero. In some cases, they are thrust into a heroic role against their will. They often doubt their abilities or feel like they’re not ready for the task at hand, thus their hesitance and resistance. However, as the story progresses, they rise to the occasion and become the hero/heroine that the story needs.

As aforementioned, a perfect example would be Adea from JP SINA’s book, “The Forbidden Alpha”. Adea’s journey can be seen as that of a reluctant hero who is thrust into a dangerous and morally complex situation, but rises to the challenge and ultimately does what’s right.

The Rebel/Anti-Hero

An anti-hero is a character in a story, who lacks traditional heroic qualities such as bravery, selflessness, and a strong moral code. Anti-heroes often have flaws and characteristics that are normally considered negative, such as being selfish, cold, or evil–however true or untrue these might be. Nonetheless, despite these flaws, anti-heroes have redeeming qualities that make them sympathetic to the audience.

Unlike traditional heroes who are often portrayed as perfect or nearly flawless, anti-heroes tend to be complex characters who are more realistic and relatable. They may be motivated by selfish desires, but they can also have moments of compassion and bravery.

Winter from “The Ruthless Alpha(You’re My Obsession)” by Omaisabella is an example of an Anti-Hero.

The Tragic Hero

The tragic hero is a character who is destined to fail or suffer a great loss. They may have noble intentions, but their flaws or mistakes ultimately lead to their downfall. Tragic heroes are often depicted as struggling against fate or insurmountable obstacles beyond their control.

An example of a tragic hero is King Alan from the “Empyreal” by Stephanie Nzekwue. Alan is a tragic hero who is deeply in love with the Unseelie King’s Consort, but their relationship is ultimately doomed as theirs is an impossible love. Despite his affection for her, he becomes responsible for her death, leading him to spend the rest of his immortal life grieving and seeking ways to bring her back.

The Classic Hero

The classic hero is the quintessential protagonist, often embodying traditional values like courage, honor, and selflessness. Perfection in a single person. Example? We have King Alexander from “The 5-time Rejected Gamma” by Stina’s Pen. These characters are often seen as archetypal romantic heroes, with their charisma, passion, and devotion to the heroines of their stories. They embody ideals of chivalry, honor, and true love that make them compelling and memorable to readers.

The Byronic / Brooding Hero

The Byronic hero is a type of anti-hero who is brooding, intelligent, and passionate. They often have a dark past or a secret that they are trying to hide, and they may struggle with inner demons. Byronic heroes are often seen as outsiders or rebels, and they can be both attractive and dangerous…and aren’t attractive, brooding and dangerous men the most alluring characters?

Lucien from Kiss Leilani’s “The Alpha King’s Hated Slave” book is a great example of a Brooding Hero.

The Everyman/Everywoman

This is a relatable character who faces relatable challenges and navigates them with resilience and determination. They may not have any special abilities, but possess a strong moral compass and a willingness to do what’s right. 

Jada Wright, the protagonist of the book “Cold Showers” by Omolade Ayisat can be classified as an Everywoman Hero.

The Romantic Hero

This is a protagonist who embodies romantic ideals like passion, emotional intensity, and individualism. They may be impulsive or rebellious, but have a strong sense of personal freedom and a desire to pursue their own desires. An example of romantic heroes include Rig Landon from Aimee Lane’s “Hunted by my Alpha”.

The Super Hero

The Superhero is a protagonist with extraordinary abilities or powers that they use to fight crime or protect the innocent. They often have a secret identity and must balance their heroic duties with their personal life.

An example of such a hero is Elaina from “Elaina the Warrior” by Eliza Selmer.

Understanding the different types of heroes in fiction can help writers create complex, compelling characters that inspire and engage readers. Most of the given examples fall on other categories of Heroes as well. The combination of characters can help develop an endearing, fascinating and unique hero that will capture the hearts of the readers in no time. Happy writing!

Dark Romance is a riveting and tantalizing sub-genre of romance that explores the deeper, and more sinister aspects of love and relationships between characters.

However, writing a book in this genre can be a challenging task, especially if you’re not familiar with the tone and techniques that set it apart from other romance novels.

Here are five easy tips to help you write a captivating Dark Romance novel:

Consider building a dark and brooding atmosphere/setting

The atmosphere in a Dark Romance novel should be dark, brooding, and intense. Use sensory, descriptive language and vivid imagery to construct a picture of a world that evokes the senses and will help to further lure your readers into this world you have created. This will set the tone for the entire book and keep your readers on edge as well as interested!

Develop complex characters and define their motivations

The best dark romance stories have compelling, well-developed characters. Your protagonist and antagonist should both have their own unique desires, flaws, wants and needs, which drive their actions and decisions. Understanding these motivations is crucial in creating a well-rounded, emotionally driven story and these could very well be achieved through exploring dual point of views as well.

Emphasize on the emotional journey and struggle of your characters

Dark romance is often characterized by the emotional and psychological struggles of the characters. From the moment they meet to the moment they fall in love (or fall apart), their emotions should be the driving force behind the story. Your readers should be able to connect with the characters on an emotional level, so make sure you show, don’t just tell, their emotional journey. Highlight these by delving into characters’ inner thoughts.

Explore unconventional topics

Dark Romance novels often delve into subjects such as violence, sexual obsession, power play or dynamics(could be between characters, where one is extremely dominant and the other is submissive) and psychological manipulation. Don’t be afraid to push boundaries. Explore these topics in a way that’s both authentic and non-gratuitous. 

Incorporate elements of mystery

Self explanatory. Readers find mysterious books engaging and suspense-filled. It keeps them on edge and this makes for great page-turners.

By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to writing a captivating and unique Dark Romance novel that will leave your readers breathless. Just remember to focus on the characters and their emotional journeys, while also exploring the dark and brooding atmosphere that sets this genre apart. Good luck and happy writing!

AlphaNovel has updated writer’s account and bonuses page. From now, every writer could collect the bonus and track the progress in real-time ❤️

All writers get an access to a new interface of the income section, where you now will be able to track the progress of book earnings and bonuses in real time 🎊

In your personal account, bonuses are available to you separately for each book that you uploaded to the platform.

To receive a bonus, follow the progress – as soon as the bonus becomes available, click «claim» and withdraw the bonus.

More exciting updates are coming soon. Stay tuned 💌

If you really want to hook up the reader, learning the art of cliffhangers is a must. Leave everyone impressed and craving for more by turning the full stop into the three dots (metaphorically speaking). Read our free tips on how to end your chapter on a super thrilling note…

Make It Relevant

Imagine this: the 9/10 of a chapter is a sweet and fluffy romance, but you want to end it with a real bang… literally. Will the readers like a sudden car crash or an alien invasion as the ending? Hmm, probably not. Your cliffhanger must not be too unexpected, unless you’re writing a proper thriller. What’s more, it must make sense from the plot development viewpoint. 

Instead of throwing in something sudden and wild, try to build on what’s already there. Has your female character been offered hand and heart? Why not include an ill-timed call or text from her boyfriend’s real passion? Now, that would be a logical cliffhanger if you want to shock the audience.

Make It Sensory

Adding a good cliffhanger is enough… oh, wait, it isn’t. To really make it work, yours must contain the sensory experience of the character whose point of view you’re using. Cutting down the chapter in the middle of a scene may feel unnatural and forced. Make it all about the character and their ‘feels’ instead. 

Let’s take the same example: the character’s BF receives a text or call in the worst possible moment. Instead of simply stating facts, add in the girl’s reaction to this shocker. Did her heart drop? Did she realize he’d been a cheat? Describe her feelings when she gets ‘the news’, and voila, the readers are left impressed.

Make It Brief

Too much detail throws a cliffhanger off the cliff, so try to keep it brief and to the point. Check your ending for the things that would fit better somewhere else within the chapter. If you don’t, the banger might easily turn into a downer. 

Lengthy descriptions or a train of thought are not what make a quality cliffhanger. Be a Hemingway for once and cut down the excessive wording. A few brief sentences or phrases with a good deal of ‘feels’ are the right way to go. All else can be used before the actual cliffhanger – or in the next part of the story.

One Is Enough

…As soon as the girl learns her boyfriend is unfaithful, her long-estranged father knocks at the door. That’s two cliffhangers for one chapter – and a situation a good writer must avoid. Just like too much salt, it spoils the impression, and the readers will feel overloaded. 

First tip: leave only one cliffhanger at the chapter’s end. Second tip: tie the cliffhanger to a relevant plotline. If the girl’s father has not been even mentioned, that would be too much of a surprise – and come across as forced.

Try a Flashback

Flashbacks can shape a cliffhanger without too many gimmicks on your part. In fact, they are a perfect way to add new information that will affect the story. Writing a solid flashback may be tricky, but trust us, it will pay off splendidly. 

How would you pen one for the girl’s sad story? A simple flashback would be her recalling how the boyfriend didn’t answer calls; or skipped a date; or did something equally despicable. It’s up to you and your creative vision to make the past work for the present. A nice idea would be tying the cliffhanger to something already mentioned in the text, like the said missed calls. 

So there you have it: how to write a hit cliffhanger and make your fans count the days until the follow-up. Just don’t forget to add the chapter soon-ish, and they’ll be happy as a quokka. 

Being a beginner doesn’t mean you can’t write well. In many cases, all you need is simply polishing your skills. Trust us with some tips on how to bust the newbie roadblocks – and pen your first hit novel.  

1. Read, Read, Read

This may seem a bit weird – shouldn’t you focus on the writing? In fact, the more you read by others, the more well versed you become in writing styles and methods. What’s more, you won’t be missing any fresh trends in the genre. Want to go viral? Follow what the rest of the pack are doing.  

Creating is imitating, as they say, so it’s a good idea to practice writing like your favorite pros. In fact, even the most recognized authors tried this trick to level up. Your unique style always matters, but until it’s all polished and shiny, try writing like the greats. It’s fun – and it pays off.

2. Work Out a Routine

Inspiration is silver, writing routine is gold. Making money as a writer means penning thousands of words – and meeting deadlines. Your readers won’t wait months or years for an update (unless it’s Game of Thrones, but that’s another story). 

Dropping new chapters on a schedule can be quite a challenge, though. To bust this block, work out a writing routine of your own. Set up the weekdays and the hours when you’ll write – and stick to them like glue. Also make sure that nothing distracts you during this time. Writing bits and pieces in between clients or calls is less than perfect. 

3. Use Exercises and Prompts

There are thousands of these online, no worries. Join a writing community, sign up for a contest or a fest, or simply use the lists from writers’ blogs. Every event or challenge is a step closer to your dream, so make it a speedrun, and not a marathon. 

Practicing writing is much like working out. You start small and level up with each new visit to the gym. That’s why pick the challenges that fit your skills and don’t take up too much of your free time. Better not to take on something than feel guilty afterwards.

4. Write for Yourself

Some would call it the #1 writing rule, some wouldn’t. Either way, writing for the hype and cringing from your own work may easily discourage the newbies. Following the readers’ tastes or a viral trend is nothing bad, but you’re not on a big corp marketing team – and you don’t have to be. 

Instead of “fitting in”, try writing from your heart. Great chances are that what appeals to you will also click with the audience. Follow your instincts and your own sense of taste, and they will guide you to the top.

5. Be Ready for the Feedback

Let’s be honest: the “no crits” approach will get you nowhere. The Internet is a tricky place, and not every comment will mean well – or be worth reading. But without that, you may never reach your full potential as a writer. 

How do you face the critics? Simple: pick the comments that actually tell you what and how you can improve. If someone doesn’t like your style, this may be it: they just don’t like it. But if the person gives you sound advice – maybe you’re being wordy or unclear – use that as a key to the writer’s growth room. 

So that’s it! Follow these five tips – and don’t forget you’ll always have a fair chance with AlphaNovel.

The New Year is almost here, but before you take out the champagne and glasses, pick a book or two for your holiday reading binge. We know it’s pretty hard with all the top-tier authors at AlphaNovel, so catch our free advice as to what you can enjoy before the clock strikes twelve…

The Alpha’s Mate Who Cried Wolf

Things aren’t looking too bright for Astrid at the beginning of the book. Living with her cruel stepfather and working in a diner, she doesn’t even know about her true werewolf nature. It isn’t until one day when a powerful and handsome Alpha Ryker visits the diner that she suddenly starts feeling the mate bond. Yes, there are still problems, as she’s a rogue – and has a fear of wolves because of a dramatic childhood accident. But her real life story is just about to begin… 

Why pick this novel for the holidays? If you enjoy the classic Cinderella plot, you’ll be in for a real treat, where the exciting action blends with the gripping romance. Follow the ups and downs of a maverick Luna on her way to becoming the strong and beloved leader of the pack. And by the way, this book is seriously trending on our platform as of now… 

The Alpha’s Triangle

Young warrior Zira has pretty much everything… except the most important thing: her mate. She’s waited long enough and plans to leave the pack in search of a new life after a party. This, however, doesn’t sit too well with the young Alpha, Isaiah, who feels attracted to the girl – but not enough for a mate bond. A one night stand between the two kickstarts a story full of love, drama, and twists you’ll be thrilled to follow. 

What makes this book a nice New Year’s Eve read? It’s a bold and modern-day romance that doesn’t shy away from saying “love is love” no matter the skin color or gender identity. As Zira is on the lookout for true love and family, her best friend, Isabella, gets a female mate – and couldn’t be happier about it. Stereotypes are broken, bonds are made, and you’ll spend many exciting hours with this werewolf blockbuster. 

Chasing My Rejected Wife

Fans of CEO romance, here’s your “holiday special”. The story follows a rejected wife of a wealthy businessman, left with nothing after a turbulent divorce. A few years pass, and she returns to the city as an assistant to a rich playboy boss. Naturally, she’s bound to run into her ex, now dating her stepsister, and sparks will fly between them even though they are so much at odds… 

So, why this one? The story moves at a nice pace, and there is always an exciting twist or two to keep you turning pages. Add in the tangled web of corporate and private interests, and the book will grip you right until the final countdown.

Whatever your pick is, AlphaNovel wishes you very happy holidays and a fantastic new year ahead!  

AlphaNovel entered the TOP-20 applications in the book category in the USA among TOP Grossing and even surpassed Amazon Kindle in November.

AlphaNovel is a marketplace for romance novels and comics where both experienced and young authors can publish their books. AlphaNovel is building an ecosystem of modern publishing, where the popularity of a book is not determined by the publisher, but by the readers.

“Fifty years ago, publishing houses determined what we would read tomorrow. We allow any author – and there are millions of them around the world – to publish their book and get feedback from readers. So readers can decide for themselves which book will become a bestseller, and the author will know for sure whether his story is loved”, AlphaNovel team said. 

Every day we work on building the best ecosystem for authors to create and readers to enjoy the content. We want for every writer to have a chance to publish a story that will become a bestseller.

Is it going to be long – or short? That’s the question many writers ask when sitting down to pen the first chapter of their novel. Let’s cut to the chase: both formats have their pros and cons for authors, readers, and earnings, so the ultimate choice is always up to you. But let’s compare the two book formats and find out what works – or doesn’t work – when you pick one. 

Short Books Are Easier to Finish

The hard truth is that most readers don’t finish the books they’ve paid for. Not too flattening for writers, but that’s how things really are. And this is where the short books get to shine: they are much easier to finish among all the distractions like the funny cat videos or an Instagram update. 

Long books need more dedicated readers to savor them in full. But on the other hand, if a reader sticks with your story, you’re in for more likes and chapter comments. As they say, true friends – or readers – are like diamonds, and diamonds are forever. 

Long Books Bring More Immersion

When you have plenty of free space for character and plot development, the book should come out deeper and more immersive than a few chapters’ story. Of course, a lot depends on your writing skills, but unless you are Mr. Hemingway, you can hardly write a masterpiece with Twitter’s post length. So why not let the story unfold naturally – and surprise the reader with many exciting twists and turns? 

As for the short books, they simply don’t have the momentum to achieve all that. It’s not a drawback if you’re not going for it specifically, but keep this in mind when starting one. 

Short Books Are More to the Point

The dark side of having unlimited chapters is that you’re tempted to go on (and on, and on). Sometimes it’s good… but other times, it’s bad, as the reader will feel the story isn’t going anywhere – or worse, running in circles. Throw in the lengthy character reflections or multiple POVs, and the book becomes too padded for the fans to really enjoy it. 

Now to the short books, which have to be finished in fewer pages. Here the author has to wrap things up – and do it on the level to leave everyone impressed. A tough challenge, but also a great chance to show off your writing and storytelling skills. 

Long Books Earn You More

It’s as simple as arithmetics: when readers pay per chapter, each new one brings you some coins. Short books get finished faster, and you’ll have to write another one to start earning again. Long books are more convenient, as you can go with the natural story progression – and fill your wallet in the process. That doesn’t spell “drag out the plot”, or the readers will lose interest in paying for the upcoming chapters. But the truth is that there is more gold for you in the long books.
Besides, when you publish on our platform, you get much better chances of promotion with a longer novel. That’s how our system works – and that’s what appeals to our vast audience. In simple words, publishing a longer book with us is a win-win situation for yourself and the crowds of future fans.