Web Novels as Vehicles of Cultural Transfer Across the Globe. Re-negotiations of Cultural Histories Between East and West
Web Novels as Vehicles of Cultural Transfer Across the Globe. Re-negotiations of Cultural Histories Between East and West

Summary/Abstract: Nowadays, web fiction is becoming increasingly popular. Since the beginning of the 21st century the global impact of web novels has steadily expanded. The serial form of publishing, often favoured by web authors, proves to be most attractive, while the transposition into various media forms also seems to enhance the worldwide spreadability and dispersion of narratives. In my article I would like to explore the function and potential of web fiction in three different respects: – First, I would like to focus on the specific qualities of web fiction and explain the main reasons for its increasing attractiveness. – Second, I will discuss the close connection between web novels and transmedia storytelling – that is the transformative dimension and adaptive productivity of digital fiction published in various online platforms around the globe. – My third point will be the new role of the traditional book format, as it is emerging from the context of digital texts and their adaptations. As we shall see, users of the new social online platforms dedicated to digitally reading and writing are not altogether oblivious of the old traditional book medium. On the contrary (and perhaps paradoxically), they often develop an amazing appreciation of the printed book in its aesthetic complexity.

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