How to Track AO3 Reading on Goodreads or The StoryGraph
To track an Archive of Our Own story on Goodreads or The StoryGraph, first save it as an EPUB. You can refer to the downloaded book when searching for the story or entering its title and author.
Download the AO3 story
WP Downloader is a free web tool with nothing to install. It saves a complete AO3 story as one file for offline reading and organization.
- Open the AO3 Downloader.
- Copy the AO3 work URL from your browser. A story link looks like this:
https://archiveofourown.org/works/123456- Paste the link into WP Downloader.
- Choose EPUB, which is free for everyone. PDF is also available after a free Discord sign-in.
- Choose whether to include the story’s images.
- Download the finished file to your device.
WP Downloader downloads the whole story. It does not download individual chapters or lists. If the work gains new chapters, download it again because the tool cannot update an existing EPUB.
Public works do not require an AO3 account. You can sign in with your AO3 account to download members-only stories that account can read. WP Downloader cannot bypass age restrictions or other access controls. It uses your credentials only to fetch the story you requested.
For more detailed instructions, see how to download AO3 fanfiction.
Track the story on Goodreads
Most fanfiction and web serials are missing from the Goodreads database. Search by title and author first, and check the results carefully to avoid adding a duplicate.
If you find the correct work, use its existing Goodreads record to track your reading.
If the work is missing, eligible accounts can add it at goodreads.com/book/new. Your email must be verified, and brand-new accounts cannot use this option. Goodreads requires at least a title and author.
Refer to the AO3 work or downloaded EPUB when entering these details. Use the original title and author so that the record is easy to identify.
Goodreads librarians handle edits and record merges. If an existing record contains an error or you find a duplicate, do not create another copy.
Track the story on The StoryGraph
Search The StoryGraph for the story’s title and author. Its database may already contain the work, so check similar results closely.
Use the existing record if you find the correct one. If the story is missing, check The StoryGraph’s current help pages. The service does not publish clear official instructions for adding works that are not books, so there is no general process to follow for a missing AO3 story.
Keep a reading library in calibre
When a story is unavailable on Goodreads or The StoryGraph, you can keep it in your own calibre library. calibre is a free e-book manager for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
After downloading an EPUB from WP Downloader:
- Open calibre on your computer.
- Select Add books and choose the EPUB.
- Edit the metadata or cover if needed.
- Read it in calibre’s e-book viewer or send it to a connected e-reader over USB.
The e-book viewer has a Read aloud feature. calibre can also convert EPUB files to formats such as AZW3, MOBI, or PDF. WP Downloader itself does not create MOBI, AZW3, or TXT files.
For help with a specific device, see how to send AO3 stories to Kindle or how to read AO3 stories on Kobo.
FAQ
Can WP Downloader add an AO3 story to Goodreads?
No. WP Downloader creates an EPUB or PDF. You must search for the work on Goodreads and, if your account is eligible, add a missing record yourself.
Can I upload the EPUB directly to The StoryGraph?
The StoryGraph does not publish clear official instructions for adding works that are not books. Check its current help pages for available options.
Do I need to sign in to AO3?
Public stories do not require an account. Signing in lets WP Downloader access members-only stories that your AO3 account can already read.
Will my EPUB receive new AO3 chapters automatically?
No. WP Downloader cannot update an existing EPUB. Download the story again when you want the latest chapters.
What should I use if neither reading tracker has the story?
Add the EPUB to calibre. You can edit its metadata, read it on your computer, or transfer it to a connected e-reader over USB.