What Are the Watty Awards and What Can I Win as a Writer?

If you're an aspiring author, you may want to consider entering Wattpad's new Watty Awards. Here, we break down everything.

You may already be familiar with Wattpad–the social storytelling platform where budding writers can create and share their original stories for free. But you may not have heard about the platforms annual awards. The Watty Awards (a.k.a. The Wattys) is hosted annually by Wattpad.

Read on to find out more about the Watty Awards, including how to enter and the prizes which are up for grabs.

What Is Wattpad?

Established in 2006, Wattpad is a social website where users can read and write stories for free. Also available as an app, the service is designed to connect readers with their favorite authors. You can read books online or in the Wattpad app, as well as write your own stories.

Wattpad is a great place to read free ebooks, both on the website and the app. The platform hosts a wide variety of genres in its online library.

You can also use Wattpad as author, creating your own novel and receiving valuable feedback from the Wattpad community as you write. Wattpad also hosts a range of writing contest, including the annual Watty Awards.

Download: Wattpad for Android | iOS (Free)

What Are The Watty Awards?

The Watty Awards is an annual writing contest offering winners some very desirable prizes. Participants are invited to submit completed novels  to win huge prizes–including nabbing a book deal and other paid opportunities.

Also known as The Wattys, the awards are announced online each year by Wattpad to help writers progress their career. The announcement includes any entry requirements and rules, the available prizes, and the submission deadline.

For example, the 2021 Watty Awards were announced on 7 July 2021, and the deadline set for 11:59 PM (ET) on September 30 2021. Participants can enter in up to 14 different categories, from sci-fi and romance to horror and paranormal genres.

Everyone who enters is also encouraged to take The Wattys Pledge. The pledge is a way to not only showcase your commitment to the contest, but also to join a supportive community of writers on Wattpad.

Related: The Best Online Communities for Writers

How Do I Participate in The Watty Awards?

To enter the Watty Awards, you must submit your entry through Wattpad. There are a number of entry requirements and rules you must meet as well.

The rules of participation include:

• Entries must be at least 50,000 words if written in English, or 40,000 if written in one of the other nine listed languages.
• Submitted stories must be your own personal work.
• You must adhere to Wattpad's Content Guidelines.
• You must not include any information which can identify any real person, including yourself.

For a full list of up-to-date rules for entering the Wattys, including the full list of accepted languages, check out the Wattys 2021 official rules.

What Are The Prizes For The Watty Awards?

The true motivator behind any contest is the prize, and The Wattys offer some brilliant prizes for the winners of the Awards each year.

In 2021, it was announced that the Watty Awards Grand Prize winner would receive a book deal with Wattpad Books. The winner would also receive priority consideration for TV and film development opportunities with Wattpad WEBTOON Studios (which is partnered with Sony, Hulu, and Syfy!).

Other prizes for the awards include:

• A social media kit to help promote your story worldwide.
• Promotion and featuring opportunities across the Wattpad website and app.
• Inclusion in Wattpad's Guaranteed Paid Stories Program.
• The potential to be offered the Wattpad Stars writer development program.
• Consideration for a Wattpad Books publishing deal for winning stories in the Young Adult category, written in English.

Are You Ready To Share Your Story?

Taking the pledge and participating in The Watty Awards is a great way to craft your novel with the support of other writers. You may even win that book deal!

If you’re keen to see what type of novels won The Watty Awards in previous years, check out the 2020 Wattys for inspiration.

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