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
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!
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.
ReplyDeleteNo problem, hope I managed to answer some of your questions!
DeleteSounds awesome! I'm definitely keeping an eye out for opportunities like Wattpad.
ReplyDeleteWill check it out now. :-)
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.
ReplyDeleteIt's really worth checking out if you can find the time but I know you are crazy busy!
DeleteNever heard of it, but I recognised a few faces in your followers/following. Thanks for the heads up, sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteIt would be good to see you over there!
DeleteI've heard of Wattpad too, but never signed up. Now you've got me thinking I should! Sounds like another great resource.
ReplyDeleteIt is really cool! :D
DeleteLeigh 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!! :)
ReplyDeleteYay! 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!
DeleteAfter 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.
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit confusing at first but their help section is awesome!
DeleteThanks 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.
ReplyDeleteYeah, go for it! :D
DeleteI hadn't heard of Wattpad before. Sounds like something to check out in the future!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how many people have never heard of it, I thought I was the last to know LOL!
DeleteI'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
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elise!
DeleteI've seen wattpad mentioned on twitter recently but had no idea what it was (and was too lazy to find out).
ReplyDeleteLOL, I met Anna Bell over there - we realised we have you in common!
DeleteWattpad? This is the first I've heard of it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm all ready to go for the Joy Blogfest Friday!
Yay! looking forward to the bloghop!
DeleteI'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 ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL, you can sit at the cool kid table with me ;)
DeleteI'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!
ReplyDeleteI think you'd get a lot out of it - it's a great site! :D
DeleteI have Wattpad as well. Maybe I'll log back on.
ReplyDeleteYes, you should! :D
DeleteI've read so pretty good author interviews on Wattpad.
ReplyDelete.......dhole
Yes, they can be really interesting!
DeleteWattpad 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.
ReplyDeleteHi, 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
ReplyDeleteI followed you by the way on wattpad. I set up a page too on Facebook : Mary Hill
:)
Mary