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06 Numbers and Powers

Best Collaborative Horror Fiction Sites Like SCP

Card No. 06·17215 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

The top pick for collaborative horror fiction like the SCP Foundation is the SCP Foundation wiki itself—it remains the largest, most active, and most polished community for shared-world horror, with thousands of articles and a robust voting system. If you want something with a different flavor, Wanderer’s Library offers a more literary, less clinical take on the same collaborative model. Both are free, community-driven, and have strong moderation to keep quality high.

What to Look For

When choosing a collaborative horror fiction site, the criteria that actually matter are:

  • Community size and activity – A site with regular submissions and active voting ensures fresh content and feedback. Dead sites are frustrating.
  • Moderation and quality control – Good sites have clear guidelines, voting systems, or staff reviews to filter out low-effort posts. This keeps the canon coherent.
  • Canon flexibility – Some sites have a strict shared universe; others allow more standalone stories. Know which you prefer.
  • Ease of submission – Can you write and post without a steep learning curve? Does the site support drafts, comments, and revisions?
  • Licensing and ownership – Most collaborative sites use Creative Commons, meaning your work can be repurposed. If that matters to you, check the license.
  • Genre focus – Some sites are pure horror, others mix in sci-fi, fantasy, or weird fiction. Pick one that matches your taste.

SCP Foundation

The original and still the best. It’s a massive wiki where writers create “anomalous objects” and creatures contained by a secret organization. The strength is its sheer volume and quality bar: articles must pass a voting threshold to stay, which keeps the bar high. The community is huge, with forums, contests, and even a role-playing game. Trade-offs: the canon is dense, and new writers may feel intimidated by the lore and the strict formatting (clinical tone, object classes). It suits writers who enjoy world-building within a structured, bureaucratic horror framework. Best for those who want the most active community and don’t mind a learning curve.

Wanderer’s Library

Part of the SCP Foundation’s sister sites, this one focuses on “weird fiction” and fairy tales rather than clinical reports. It’s more literary and poetic, with less emphasis on containment and more on atmosphere. The community is smaller but dedicated, and the quality is consistently high. Trade-offs: fewer submissions and a narrower scope. It’s perfect for writers who love lyrical horror, myth, and dreamlike narratives. If you find SCP too clinical, this is your home.

RPC Authority

A direct SCP alternative with a more grounded, military-scientific tone. The RPC Authority treats anomalies as “RPCs” and focuses on a more realistic, less fantastical approach. The site has a strong sense of internal consistency and a more centralized canon. Trade-offs: it’s smaller than SCP, and the stricter canon can be limiting for some writers. It suits those who prefer hard sci-fi and a more serious, less meme-heavy atmosphere.

Backrooms Wiki

Based on the viral creepypasta, this wiki explores the endless, liminal spaces of the Backrooms. It’s collaborative but with a different structure: levels, entities, and groups. The horror is more environmental and psychological. Trade-offs: the canon is less defined, and the quality varies more. It’s great for writers who enjoy surreal, unnerving settings and want to contribute to a rapidly expanding mythos. Best for fans of the Backrooms aesthetic.

SCP: Roleplay and Other Forums

While not a fiction site per se, forums like the SCP Roleplay subreddit or various Discord servers allow collaborative storytelling in real-time. These are less about polished articles and more about interactive narrative. Trade-offs: no permanent archive, and quality depends on the group. They suit writers who enjoy improvisation and immediate feedback.

How to Choose

First, decide your budget. All the sites listed are free to read and write. If you’re willing to pay, you might find private writing communities or workshops, but the best collaborative horror is free. Next, consider your use case: are you a reader or a writer? If you’re a writer, look at the submission process. SCP has a rigorous critique system; Wanderer’s Library is more relaxed. If you’re a reader, just browse and see which style you enjoy. Common trade-offs: larger communities mean more content but also more noise; smaller ones have higher quality but less variety. Also, consider the canon: do you want a shared universe where your work fits into a larger puzzle, or do you prefer standalone stories? Finally, think about the genre: pure horror (SCP), weird fiction (Wanderer’s), or surreal adventure (Backrooms).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write on these sites if I’m not a good writer?

Yes, but you’ll need to improve. Most sites have a sandbox for drafts and a community that gives feedback. Start small and learn from critiques.

Do I need to read everything before I write?

No, but you should read the guidelines and a few popular articles to understand the tone and style. For SCP, reading the top-rated pieces helps.

Are these sites safe for minors?

Most have content warnings and some articles are graphic. The SCP Foundation has a mature content policy, but it’s not explicitly for adults only. Parents should review.

Can I make money from my stories?

Generally no, because the content is under Creative Commons. You can’t sell your stories as-is, but you can adapt them into original works if you change enough.

What if my story gets deleted?

It happens. Most sites have a deletion process based on votes. You can always repost after revising. It’s part of the learning curve.

Are there any sites with a more horror-only focus?

Yes, the SCP Foundation is horror-centric, but it includes sci-fi. For pure horror, try the Creepypasta Wiki, though it’s less collaborative and more open to amateur work.

Bottom Line

If you want the most robust, active, and rewarding collaborative horror experience, start with the SCP Foundation—it’s the gold standard. If you find it too clinical, try Wanderer’s Library for a more literary approach. For a more grounded, military sci-fi feel, RPC Authority is a solid choice. And if you’re into liminal spaces, the Backrooms Wiki is a fresh take. All are free, so explore and find your community.

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