(Yicai Global) Jan. 23 -- Read-Douban, a platform where readers can find original novels, completed a CNY60 million (USD9.4 million) Series-A financing round, which Linmon Pictures participated in, after spinning off from Douban Group.

The company will mainly use the proceeds for content development and author management, online media outlet 36kr reported.

Read-Douban entered the market as a platform for original literary works in 2013. It is available on computers and via a mobile app. It has 20,000 works, more than 40,000 authors and 17 million readers.

The platform has suspense, mystery, workplace, youth, love, science fiction, fantasy and modern female stories that mainly target well-educated readers who like blockbuster movies, said Read-Douban Chief Executive Dai Qin.

Read-Douban is a platform for publishing such novels and works to encourage and serve authors and distribute high-quality content. It also provides downstream film companies with the quality intellectual property through its original writing platform, he said.

The company will better manage and serve authors, focusing on cultivating leading ones and updating content to enhance readers' experiences, Dai said, adding that it will attach great importance to attracting college students as readers.

Dozens of Read-Douban novels are about to be developed into films and television series through collaborations with Linmon Pictures, New Classics Media Corp., CKF Pictures and other A-list film and TV producers, said Dai. Feichuan Pictures, an affiliate of Read-Douban, will also roll out an original novel adaptation project, he said.