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The Watty Awards are Wattpad’s annual celebration of the electrifying, visionary, diverse voices that choose to share their stories on Wattpad every year. For over a decade, The Watty Awards have celebrated the journey millions of Wattpad writers undertake to bring their stories from their dreams and into the lives of readers around the world.

From the first seed of a story to the moment you type the final period on the last sentence of your final chapter—this is all part of that same journey. That’s why the Wattys are so much more than an award. They’re a celebration of what it takes to tell stories.

And the 2020 Watty Award winners are…

COMING SOON TO WATTPAD BOOKS

Congratulations to Loridee De Villa, author of How to Be the Best Third Wheel. The Wattys judges selected this story to be developed into a book published by Wattpad Books. Follow @WattpadBooks on Twitter, Instagram, and Wattpad for news & updates.

For the complete list of eligibility criteria visit The Wattys profile on Wattpad

And the 2020 Watty Award winners are…

New Adult

This award recognizes stories about the modern ups and downs of work, life, and love in that golden moment between your late teens and twenties (18-25). Maybe your character is falling in love with their college roommate, or struggling to figure out their career. The New Adult award is seeking stories that provide a voice for those trying to “adult” in this day and age. If your contemporary tale is anything like Pitch Perfect, When Dimple Met Rishi or Red, White and Royal Blue, we want to see it!

Fanfiction

This award showcases the worlds we love, the characters we know, and the stories we’re so obsessed with we have to take matters into our own hands. From BTS to Billie Eilish, Riverdale to The Avengers, your fandom knows no bounds! Characters and stories that are in the public domain are not considered fanfiction, but are instead retellings that fall under their respective genre. The Fanfiction category aims to recognize Wattpadders who have challenged and changed beginnings, endings, and relationships while staying true to the heart of the story. We are looking for fresh alternatives, rewrites, and divergent storylines for all our favorite characters or worlds so that we can spend a little more time with them after the book closes or the credits roll.

Fantasy

This award recognizes the worldbuilders – the ones who take us on fantastical adventures, heroic battles, and epic journeys to save people, kingdoms, or dynasties. In this world, or another reality or universe, fantasy explores the magical and mythical unknown, ancient folklore, and mythical creatures. Is your character a goblin living in modern day Seoul, or a dragon riding the winds of a new land? If you are penning the next Golden Compass, Children of Blood and Bone, or City of Bones, then share your world with us.

Historical Fiction

This award recognizes the writers who take us on a journey through the past, who love writing about lush, historical settings, such as an Aztec temple, or the Scottish Highlands. Is your story a twist on a classic figure, like a female Napoleon? Has your main character traveled back in time to the Wild West, or been reincarnated as a Chinese empress? The Historical Fiction award is for stories that make us feel like we are breathing the (accurate) air of a distant time. Think The Book Thief, The Song of Achilles, and Memoirs of a Geisha. If your story fits here, give us a history lesson!

Horror

This award is for the fear-seekers – the writers who show us the best takes on our worst nightmares. Whether it’s about a serial killer on the loose, an evil undead clown, or a brilliant cannibal, the Horror award celebrates stories that bring all the thrills and chills. These stories are so insidious as to make us question our own realities. Feeding on our deepest terrors, these stories join the likes of The Silence of the Lambs, IT, and Get Out.

Literary Fiction

This award recognizes the writers who artfully weave language and navigate prose with style – the ones who put character over plot. The Literary Fiction award recognizes contemporary stories that focus on various life issues in a profound and moving tone. Literary fiction tends to be slower in pace from traditional commercial fiction, and tackles difficult issues, like immigration, racial inequality and gender identity. We’re looking for enlightening narratives like The Road, Less, and Exit West.

Mystery & Thriller

This award honours the writers who keep us on the edge of our seats and glued to our screens. Whether we’re solving a crime, or racing against the clock to stop one from happening, the Mystery & Thriller award considers stories with intricate plots, high stakes, or lots of suspense. Writing something like Gone Girl, The Widow, or The Hound of the Baskervilles? We’re hot on the trail for stories that bring out our inner detective.

Paranormal

This award showcases writers who unearth the unknown. Whether it’s the mysteries that go bump in the night or creatures you want to bump in the night, the Paranormal award celebrates stories that explore what lies beyond the veil. These stories are set in the real world, they’re about unexplainable transformations and creatures, like vampires, werewolves, angels, demons, ghosts and psychics. We are looking for writers who craft monsters in stories like The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, or Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

Romance

This award celebrates the swoon-worthy storytellers – the ones who tug on our heartstrings and demand our emotional investment. These adult stories focus on adult characters and themes, with a modern real-world setting, all while showing us the highs and lows of falling in love. From passionate sexy cowboys and steamy rendezvous with a billionaire, to office love affairs and squee-worthy soulmates, the Romance award goes to those stories with love and relationships at their heart. Think you have what it takes to be the next Jasmine Guillory, Christina Lauren, or Sally Thorne? If so, make sure your contemporary romance depicts a central love story with a compelling couple and an emotionally evocative resolution.

Science Fiction

This award goes to the forward-thinkers – the writers who evoke a sense of wonder, unravel new realities, and send us shooting into the void. The Science Fiction award recognizes stories that center around science and technology. Like Star Trek, Fahrenheit 451, or The Fifth Season, sci-fi stories challenge us to think big and different about the world we live in. Whether you’re writing a space opera set in a galaxy far away, a near-future dystopia, or an alternate history, your storytelling transports us to the worlds that could be.

Young Adult

This award champions writers that are navigating the teen experience (13-18). Whether it’s coping with loss, exploring gender, or dealing with a high school crush, the Young Adult award recognizes modern real-world stories that capture an authentic teen voice and the emotional stakes of growing up. Think: first loves, first losses, first conflicts, first sexual experiences. We’re looking for coming-of-age stories from all walks of life, from stories like The Perks of Being a Wallflower and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before to The Hate U Give and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Give us a teenage tale that resonates.

About OUR SPONSOR

WEBTOON is a proud supporter of the 2020 Watty awards and of creators everywhere.

As the digital comics platform that is home to creator-owned content from amazing, diverse visions from all over the world, WEBTOON knows that every storyteller deserves to have their voice heard.

Visit WEBTOON for the latest original romance, comedy, action, fantasy, horror, and more from big names and big names to be - made just for WEBTOON.

Stories to Obsess Over

PRIZE

The Watty Awards are Wattpad’s annual celebration of storytelling. In celebration of the Wattys win, awards recipients will receive

A Winners' social media kit to share your accomplishment with the world

Promotion on the Wattys profile on Wattpad, and featuring opportunities across Wattpad

Winners will be listed in the Wattpad HQ Wattys Hall of Fame

A Wattys badge to place on your winning story

White-glove treatment from our Content and Creator Development team, including priority consideration by Wattpad Studios for your story to be shown to entertainment and publishing partners

Consideration for Wattpad Paid Stories, our monetization program where writers earn money directly on Wattpad.

Consideration for Wattpad Stars, our writer development program.

Have a question about Wattys prizing (or anything else)? Check out our FAQs