where writers strive

Submissions are now closed

About the Wattys

The Watty Awards is Wattpad’s longest-running annual event that seeks out, rewards, and uplifts the storytellers who choose to share their stories on Wattpad every year.

But this year, we’re switching things up a bit. Working on a story that isn’t quite complete yet? Wish your readers had more of a say in the success of your work? This is your year. Wattpad is on the hunt for both completed and ongoing stories, with new prizes including the Fan’s Choice Award*. Submit your story for the chance to win a Watty Award, get rewarded for your work, and take that leap towards your future writing career.

Winning entrants receive coveted opportunities with Wattpad, and the chance for their story to be read and enjoyed by the entire community and beyond. Join your Wattpad community in meeting your writing goals, pushing yourself, and seeing this Wattys season to finish line.

Get that story started.
Put your best work forward.
It starts now.

For more information on this year’s eligibility requirements, awards, and how to enter, see the official Wattys Rules & Regulations.

*Please note, ongoing story submissions and the Fan’s Choice Award are EN only.

Wattys Milestones

The Wattys are open for entries

July 17 2023
11AM EST

The Wattys closes for judging

August 8 2023
11:59:59PM EST

The Wattys shortlist is announced

(On or around)
October 16 2023

Fan’s Choice Award Voting Opens

(On or around)
October 23 2023

Fan’s Choice Award Voting Closes

November 20 2023
11:59:59PM EST

Wattys winners announced via YouTube livestream

December 1 2023

what’s new this year?

This year, we’ve accepted both ongoing and completed stories. As in past years, winning submissions will be selected by our Wattys Judges. But this year, we've introduced a brand-new award: the Fan’s Choice Award!* Readers will get to vote on their favorite story from a list of nominees for this special prize.

For more details on categories, submission eligibility, and Wattys milestones, visit the Watty Awards profile.

Illustration of people writing in an open city with sunshine

How Fan’s Choice Voting Works

Nominees for Fan’s Choice Award announced at the end of October

vote on the nominees">

Come back here to cast your
vote on the nominees

Winner will be announced at the Watty Awards on December 1, 2023

Write Together

The Wattys are closed, but your writing journey continues. Press play and write away to 60 minutes of original, atmosphere-enhancing beats on an endless loop by the one and only Lofi Girl. And peep the animated Wattpadder, specially designed for the Wattys. 👀

Shortlist

A shortlist will be announced on or around October 16, 2023. All shortlisted stories will receive:

A Shortlist profile banner to show off your accomplishment to your followers
Promotion on the Wattys profile on Wattpad, and featuring opportunities across Wattpad
A Shortlist badge for your story

Grand Prize Winners

One (1) Winner will be selected from the pools of Winners from each language in the Completed Stories category and one (1) Winner will be selected from the pool of Winners in the Ongoing Stories category for a potential total of ten (10) Grand Prize Winners. The winners will receive $5,000 USD.

Fan’s Choice Award

The judging panel will nominate up to three (3) Shortlisted Entries in the English language, in any category, and in any genre which have not won any other Prize and/or Award to be eligible for the Fan’s Choice Award. The list of nominated Shortlisted Entries will be made public on or around October 23, 2023.

Woman standing on mountaintop with birds flying out

Best Characters

will be awarded to an Entry with characters that resonated with Sponsor judges, to be determined in their sole discretion

Most Engaging World

will be awarded to an Entry with rich world building that makes the reader feel like they can truly immerse themselves into the setting

Biggest Twist

will be awarded to an Entry that shocks Sponsor judges with an unforeseeable twist

Catchiest Hook

will be awarded to an Entry that builds off an idea that is fresh, imaginative, and exciting

The Winners of these awards will receive extra acknowledgement of their prize on the Wattys website at wattpad.com/wattys/.

Wattpad WEBTOON Studios entertainment prizes

The judging panel, in conjunction with Wattpad WEBTOON Studios (“WWS”), will select up to nine (9) Winners based on adaptability into a visual medium, market trends, and WWS needs and monetizability, as determined at Sponsor’s sole discretion. One (1) Winner will be chosen from the pools of Winners of each language. Both Completed Stories and Ongoing Stories in all genres except for Sequels are eligible.

Wattpad WEBTOON studios publishing prize

The judging panel, in conjunction with WWS, will select one (1) Winner from the pool of English language, Completed Story Winners in all genres except for Sequels, where the Winner resides in North America and where the Entry has, as of August 8, 2023, a minimum of 100,000 reads as reflected in the Wattpad desktop experience.

More About Prizes