Many people are reading a lot of interesting stories on online platforms like fanfiction.net, with lots of characters written by their favorite authors. Sometimes, you may want to save a special story to read it off-line, share it with your friends, or even archive it for further use. But how do you do that? Here is a comprehensive guide on how to copy stories from fanfiction.net.
Understand Copyright Regulations
Before you start copying stories from fanfiction.net, it is essential to understand the copyright laws in your country and on the platform, as it is illegal to plagiarize someone else's work. Respect the author's efforts by seeking permission to copy their story if it is not mentioned as free to use.
Remember, failing to abide by these regulations can result in penalties such as being permanently banned from the platform. Therefore, always ask for permission and give credit where it is due.
Ditch the Traditional Copy-Pasting
Doing the manual work of copying, pasting, and then saving the story in a Word document is tiresome and time-consuming. So, this is a no-no in our guide. Some stories are lengthy, and the manual copying process might distort the formatting or miss out on some parts.
Using CTRL+S or Command+S
If you are dealing with a small segment of the story or only need a particular chapter, you can simply save it as a web page. This method saves all the necessary formatting and displays the story as if you were online. However, this method fails when dealing with lengthy stories as it saves only one page at a time.
Open the story, press CTRL+S or Command+S if you're using a Mac, select the destination folder, and voila, you've got your chapter. Remember, this is not the best way to copy whole stories, as it would be time-consuming and tedious.
The FicLab Web App
The FicLab is a web app specially designed for downloading fanfiction stories from various platforms, including fanfiction.net. The app is easy to use: paste the story URL into the search box, click download, and the story will convert into an ePub or .txt format.
This app also retains the author's tags and notes, thereby preserving the original formatting of the story. However, the app might experience downtimes that could delay your download process.
FanFictionDownloader (FFDL) Software
FFDL is a multi-platform software that allows users to download stories from various fanfiction sites. You can save the story in different formats such as ePub, Mobi, PDF, and RTF. Furthermore, FFDL retains the original format and even lets you customize the story's appearance to your liking.
On the downside, you would need to install FFDL on your device, which might not be favorable for users with limited storage space.
Story Master App
Story Master is another fantastic app that lets you save fanfiction stories offline. It works like FFDL, but it offers more compatibility and simplicity. It is an Android app, and you can easily find it on the Google Play Store.
However, Story Master has its limitations. For instance, it may fail to load a story or delay the loading process, especially when handling large stories.
Free Online Fanfiction Downloader
An online fanfiction downloader is another effective way to copy a story. Simply paste the URL into the designated input box and hit "Download."
Beware of the ads that usually pop up on these sites. You might also need to try a few downloaders before finding one that perfectly suits your needs as some may compromise the story's formatting.
FAQs
Q: Can I copy stories from fanfiction.net for commercial use?
A: No, you can't. These stories are copyrights of the authors and using them for commercial purposes without their consent is a violation of copyright laws. Always respect authors' rights and use the story for personal purposes only.
Q: Are there any apps to read fanfiction offline?
A: Yes, there are several apps where you can download fanfiction stories for offline reading such as FicSave, Story Master, and FanFictionDownloader.
Q: Do fanfiction websites allow story downloads?
A: Some fanfiction websites allow direct downloads while others don't. Always check the website's policies regarding downloads.
Conclusion
As seen above, there are numerous ways to copy and save stories from fanfiction.net for offline reading or future reference. However, understanding and respecting copyright laws should be your top priority. Whether it's a simple short story or a detailed novel, these methods and tools will undoubtedly help you retain them in your library.
References
1. "About �FicLab." Ficlab.com, www.ficlab.com/about.
2. "FanFictionDownloader (FFDL)." GitHub, github.com/waylaidwanderer/FicSave.
3. "Story Master." Google Play, play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spicymango.fanfictionreader.