Wattpad

Writing on Wattpad? You could get $25,000.

Wattpad has introduced a creator program that will dish out $2.6 million in stipends to more than 500 writers this year.

To be eligible, writers must have completed at least one 50,000-word story on Wattpad, have published a new chapter in the last three months, have a story in one of 15 eligible genres, and have drawn a specific number of “Engaged Readers” (you can read more about that new metric here) to their catalog of writing.

Those who are accepted to the program “will be eligible for marketing and editorial support, sponsored brand partnerships, and for the first time, cash stipends of up to $25,000,” Wattpad said in an announcement.

Subscribe to get the latest creator news

Subscribe

In exchange, participating writers will have to make their stories exclusive to Wattpad—so no cross-posting to competing sites or other online writing platforms like Archive of Our Own.

Wattpad indicated that more than 3,000 writers will be approved for access to educational programming and resources, and upwards of 500 will be eligible for cash stipends.

Wattpad didn’t specify exactly how it plans to disburse stipends, but we’re guessing it’s paying out per story—and probably expects to pay some writers more than once, since 500 x $25,000 is $12.5 million, less than half of Wattpad’s total projected payout for 2022.

While applications to the new program are open to all English-language creators who meet the above criteria, Wattpad has already enrolled some well-known writers, including Tamara Lush, Jessica Cunsolo (whose series With Me is being adapted by the recently formed Wattpad Webtoon Studios and Sony Pictures Television), Kate Marchant, Claudia Tan (whose Perfect Addiction is also being adapted by Wattpad Webtoon Studios, with Constantin Film), and Sondi Warner.

“We’re in the business of helping writers build a global audience and make money,” Jeanne Lam, Wattpad’s president, said in a statement. “Our goal has always been to create multiple, scalable ways for writers to make money and build a writing career on Wattpad. The Wattpad Creators Program will do that for more writers than has ever been possible before.”

Writers on Wattpad can also monetize through its Paid Stories initiative. That launched in 2019 and has paid out more than $3 million to creators so far, Wattpad says.

Share
Published by
James Hale

Recent Posts

Have you heard? Saluting Patriotic Kenny, visiting 30 NBA arenas, and meeting a new shark

Each week, we handpick a selection of stories to give you a snapshot of trends,…

8 hours ago

YouTube is starting to test a “Top Fans” distribution option limited to the uppermost 1% of viewers

Platforms like Patreon and OnlyFans let creators distribute paywalled videos that can only be watched…

9 hours ago

MrBeast’s build kits are in the (Kids) Club at a Lowe’s location near you

There's a new creator-led line of monthly build kits arriving at a major home goods…

11 hours ago

After 10 years and 50 million subscribers, now’s the time for Genevieve’s Playhouse to hit the toy aisle

Growing a YouTube channel to 50 million subscribers is no small feat, but Genevieve's Playhouse…

1 day ago

Spotify is doing creator memberships, and also AI-generated podcasts

The global podcast industry raked in $9.2 billion last year, surging 27% from 2024. That's…

1 day ago

Are male and female social media accounts floating in gendered political bubbles?

On the heels of a study that examined political polarization on social media feeds, a…

1 day ago