Wattpad: A New Era of Storytelling

For many years, efforts to transform literature into filmic adaptations have been a cornerstone of Hollywood’s production model. However, this process has really only become accessible to a wider pool of creators over the last few years. A major catalyst behind this accessibility is Wattpad, a platform that bridges the gap between writers and their audience.

Wattpad has been instrumental in launching several works that were originally published on their platform into traditional avenues. Among these are recognizable names such as ‘My Life With the Walter Boys,’ ‘The Kissing Booth,’ and the ‘After’ series. These titles had already established a robust fanbase on Wattpad before they garnered mainstream recognition through their film and television adaptations.

Wattpad was established in 2006 and goes down in history as a pioneer in providing an unconventional yet effective route for authors to reach audiences. In May 2021, Webtoon owner Naver, a South Korean internet conglomerate, recognized the site’s potential and purchased it for an estimated sum of $600 million.

At present, Wattpad boasts a staggering 150 million users each month. Although it has expanded considerably from its more humble beginnings as a niche platform, Wattpad remains an alternative route for authors relative to traditional publishing methods. The platform’s status affirms its commitment to providing a space outside the normative publishing sphere where creators can share and cultivate their works.

Wattpad started as a reader-writer platform but has significantly expanded its operations. Today, it not only connects creators with their audiences but also aids them in adapting their original content into television series and movies. This successful entrepreneurship has resulted in a number of successes, one notable example being the Tubi original ‘Sidelined,’ which was adapted from a Wattpad original, ‘The QB Bad Boy and Me.’

This multidimensional approach to integrating writing with screen adaptation was not in place when ‘My Life With the Walter Boys’ by Ali Novak got tapped for adaptation. Nevertheless, as we anticipate the second season of this romance series, it’s evident that Wattpad has evolved considerably to better guide such undertakings.

Currently, Wattpad is recognized globally not just as a hub for reading and writing pleasure, but also as a doorway for discovering innovative talent. This dual nature facilitates a unique channel for creators to find and engage with their fanbase while also potentially catapulting their works to unseen heights within the entertainment industry.