Stories · the living story
A new chapter of your own story, every morning.
StoryStepper Stories is a private serial written for one reader. Answer eleven questions and a new chapter arrives every morning, up to 21 chapters that remember everything that came before. Each chapter ends with two paths, and the next is written from the one you take. The first two chapters are free, then $15.99 a month with one complete book included.
A living story is personalised interactive fiction written for one reader, a chapter at a time. You set it up once with eleven questions: the genre, the one word at the heart of it, the pace, your lead’s name, the world, the tone. The first chapter is written overnight.
From then on, each chapter picks up where the last one ended and remembers everything that came before: names, clues, promises, the letter nobody opened in the first week. The arc runs up to 21 chapters over three seasons. Finish at any point and start a new one.
How a living story works
Eleven questions
The genre, the one word at the heart of it, the pace, your lead’s name, the world, the tone. Every answer shapes each chapter that follows.
The first chapter, overnight
Chapter one is written overnight after you finish the questions.
A new chapter every morning
The next chapter arrives each morning, or the moment you choose. It ends with two paths, and the one you take is where the next chapter begins.
Up to 21 chapters
A three-season arc that remembers everything. Finish at any point and begin a new story.
A story written for you vs story games and AI roleplay
All three let you take part in a story. They differ in who writes it, who it is for, and how much it remembers.
| StoryStepper Stories | Story games (Choices, Episode) | AI roleplay (AI Dungeon, Character.AI) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who writes it | StoryStepper, with AI guided by editorial rules | Studio writers, in advance | An AI model, replying to what you type |
| Story built for | One reader, from your eleven answers | Every player of that title | Whatever you prompt, turn by turn |
| How a chapter ends | With two paths; the next chapter is written from the one you take | At branch points the studio wrote; some options cost in-app currency | No chapters; the scene goes on as long as you keep typing |
| Memory and continuity | Every chapter remembers everything before it, across up to 21 chapters | Tracks your choices inside a branching script | Depends on each app’s memory features |
| Pace | One chapter every morning, or the moment you choose | As fast as each app’s play limits allow | As fast as you type |
| Privacy | Private by default; no feed, no public profiles | The same story every player reads | Varies; community-made characters and scenarios are public by design |
Why readers keep a living story
It remembers
Names, clues and promises carry across up to 21 chapters.
On your schedule
A chapter every morning, or the moment you choose.
A book a month to keep
The Stories plan includes one complete book a month alongside your living story.
Read with friends
An invite-only reading circle: you plus up to five friends. They read along; every choice stays yours.
Questions about Stories
What happens each morning?
A new chapter of your living story arrives, written from the path you took at the end of the last one. If you would rather not wait for morning, you can open it the moment you choose.
How many chapters are there?
Up to 21, in a three-season arc. You can finish at any point and start a new story.
What are the eleven questions?
Before chapter one you answer eleven questions, including the genre, the one word at the heart of it, the pace, your lead’s name, the world and the tone. The onboarding guide walks through each one and what it changes. The first chapter is then written overnight.
Can it be dark or gothic?
Yes. Gothic mystery and dark romance are two of the six genres, alongside contemporary romance, revenge drama, fantasy and historical. You set the tone in the eleven questions.
Can I share it with friends?
Only the people you invite. A reading circle holds you plus up to five friends. They read the same chapters; every choice stays with you. Nothing is public.
Can I get a whole book instead?
Yes. Books writes a complete short novel from six answers and delivers it within the hour. The Stories plan also includes one complete book a month.
How much does it cost?
Stories is $15.99 a month, one flat price, for one living story with a new chapter every morning plus one complete book a month and 10 books a month from the Public Library. Starting another living story outside your plan costs 35 embers.
Are any chapters free?
Yes. The first two chapters of any living story are free, before your subscription begins.
Which languages are stories written in?
English, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil) and Italian. StoryStepper runs in your browser on phone, tablet and desktop, with nothing to download.
Begin your living story
Eleven questions, then your first chapter is written overnight. The first two chapters are free.
Begin a story