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Why You Should Try Wattpad

A while ago, I saw Talli Roland talking about Wattpad, and well, having the desire to follow in her amazing footsteps, I thought I'd sign up and give it a try.

Didn't like it. Didn't get it. Nobody had any interest in my work, so I left it where it was and forgot about it.

Then an email came, telling me Game On was to be featured on Wattpad's new Chicklit section. Flattered as I was, I was a bit sceptical because I still hadn't really worked out the mechanics of the site yet, and I wasn't sure it was even worth the effort.

How wrong I was!

Taking a deep breath, I signed back in and took the time to really look around, because who really passes up the chance to be featured alongside the queen of chicklit, Marian Keyes?!

Since Game On was featured, I have discovered so much more of what the site is all about, and I'm a little bit in love, which brings me to the title of this post - why you should try Wattpad!

If you are a new writer, it's a place to test the waters. People who read stories there are helpful, encouraging and will often give you new ways to improve your work. It's like having a bunch of free critique partners LOL! Obviously, you'll still want to work with other writers to get your work up to scratch, but it's kind of cool to have a place to show what you can do.

If you are already published, you can post a couple of chapters of your books to hook people in. It's an amazing marketing tool - I have had several messages from people saying they loved Game On so much they bought the book from Amazon.

Margaret Attwood uses it - need I say more? :p

Writers have picked up agents on Wattpad when their stories have become super successful - saves writing those scary query letters!

If you are willing to dig around a bit, you'll find some fantastic stories hidden in between the One Direction fan fiction!

It's a good place to make connections. Blogging is a great way to meet new people, but on Wattpad, there are even more new faces to find. I've stumbled across a bunch of cool authors who I want to keep in touch with.

Of course, it's not a case of posting your story and waiting for the adoration to pour in. You need to work. Just like blogging, if you don't make yourself known, people will just waltz on by. Get out there, follow people, vote for books, leave comments, reply to comments people leave for you. You know the drill - it's all about networking!

And hey, if you try it out and you decide it's not for you, you won't have lost anything. It took me a while to get to grips with it, but now I have, it's quite a fun place to spend time.

If you're already a member, or you decide to sign up - this is my profile. Give me a follow and I'll follow you back!

ALSO, while I'm here, don't forget it's The Bloghop of Joy on Friday! Details can be found here, so sign up and help us spread the love! :D




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Comments

  1. Suzi26 February 2013 at 12:42

    I really have no idea what Wattpad is. I've seen a couple people use it, but since I'd already beta'ed their books, I didn't go check it out. I will now. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kyra Lennon28 February 2013 at 11:29

      No problem, hope I managed to answer some of your questions!

      Delete
  2. Misha Gerrick26 February 2013 at 12:44

    Sounds awesome! I'm definitely keeping an eye out for opportunities like Wattpad.

    Will check it out now. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alex J. Cavanaugh26 February 2013 at 13:15

    Not sure I'd have the time right now to make it effective for me. And I'd need permission from my publisher to post a chapter, although I'm sure they would say yes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kyra Lennon28 February 2013 at 11:29

      It's really worth checking out if you can find the time but I know you are crazy busy!

      Delete
  4. Nick Wilford26 February 2013 at 13:31

    Never heard of it, but I recognised a few faces in your followers/following. Thanks for the heads up, sounds interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Trisha26 February 2013 at 13:32

    I've heard of Wattpad too, but never signed up. Now you've got me thinking I should! Sounds like another great resource.

    ReplyDelete
  6. DL Hammons26 February 2013 at 15:17

    Leigh Talbert Moore mentioned Wattpad on her blog this week and it was the first time I'd heard about it. Now comes your post. I guess I'll have to check this out! Thanks!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kyra Lennon28 February 2013 at 11:30

      Yay! I'd been meaning to post about it for a while, and I saw Leigh's blog post and thought I ought to get on with it!

      Delete
  7. Annalisa Crawford26 February 2013 at 15:35

    After already looking around, and then leaving quickly because I couldn't work it out at all, it might take me a while to go back again. Maybe one day, but not just yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kyra Lennon28 February 2013 at 11:31

      It is a bit confusing at first but their help section is awesome!

      Delete
  8. Tracey Joseph26 February 2013 at 20:39

    Thanks for the tip, Kyra. I've heard of Wattpad. I have a few short stories I could post on there, so maybe I will. Like you stated, I think it could be a great tool.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nicole27 February 2013 at 03:24

    I hadn't heard of Wattpad before. Sounds like something to check out in the future!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kyra Lennon28 February 2013 at 11:32

      It's funny how many people have never heard of it, I thought I was the last to know LOL!

      Delete
  10. Elise Fallson27 February 2013 at 08:52

    I've heard of Wattpad but only in passing, nice to read a post about it and Congratulations on getting highlighted on the site! Looks like a great way to get noticed. I'll keep this in mind and check it out soon. :D

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jennifer Joyce27 February 2013 at 14:39

    I've seen wattpad mentioned on twitter recently but had no idea what it was (and was too lazy to find out).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kyra Lennon28 February 2013 at 11:33

      LOL, I met Anna Bell over there - we realised we have you in common!

      Delete
  12. Anonymous27 February 2013 at 14:46

    Wattpad? This is the first I've heard of it.

    And I'm all ready to go for the Joy Blogfest Friday!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Elizabeth Seckman27 February 2013 at 15:46

    I'm so glad you posted this. I have heard of Wattpad, but (Elizabeth turns red) had no clue what it was. I will go check it out. You can be my friend there too. Don't just avoid me bc you're the cool kid ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kyra Lennon28 February 2013 at 11:34

      LOL, you can sit at the cool kid table with me ;)

      Delete
  14. Christine Rains28 February 2013 at 00:53

    I've heard a lot of good stuff about Wattpad, but I haven't had time to try it out. Let me know if it continues to be a help. I'm all ready for the bloghop too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kyra Lennon28 February 2013 at 11:35

      I think you'd get a lot out of it - it's a great site! :D

      Delete
  15. Sheena-kay Graham28 February 2013 at 04:59

    I have Wattpad as well. Maybe I'll log back on.

    ReplyDelete
  16. dolorah28 February 2013 at 07:47

    I've read so pretty good author interviews on Wattpad.

    .......dhole

    ReplyDelete
  17. Cherie Reich28 February 2013 at 17:50

    Wattpad is something I considered joining for a while, so you persuaded me to do so. Now I just need time to upload some things, read other people's books, and comment.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mary Hill5 March 2013 at 17:00

    Hi, Kyra had no idea you were on Wattpad. I did a piece on my blog a few weeks ago. Here is the link: http://mary-anderingcreatively.blogspot.com/2013/02/welcome-to-my-new-blog.html

    I followed you by the way on wattpad. I set up a page too on Facebook : Mary Hill

    :)
    Mary

    ReplyDelete

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