This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Maya Stokley. Find her on Instagram at @maya.aesthetic. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
You have AO3, Quotev (check out my OLD Quotev, I almost started crying), Tumblr, and FanFiction.net. Those are the pillars of the fanfiction community around the early to mid-2010s. Everyone and their family tree posted alternative universes and original characters and spammed Y/N for many years. But, something is not right in the fanfiction world on Beyonce’s Internet. I’m missing one of the OG sites for not just fanfiction but for original exclusive content. Oh my goodness, Wattpad! It is like Duolingo dying and coming back to life! What has happened to Wattpad? Is Wattpad still popular among all of the fandoms? What has it become? Solve this mystery with me, and let’s discover some gems on the platform!
What Is Going On Wattpad?!
This may be borderlining a rant but also staying cute and demure. Back in 2016, back in the old days, Wattpad was a free online and mobile platform that did not have ads and allowed readers to read whatever was available on the app. With access to the filters to read the books that had over 1 million reads, Wattpad was a fangirl’s paradise! Even if you weren’t a fangirl, Wattpad had some good finds in their “Fantasy,” “Historical Romance,” and “High School” sections. Don’t get me started on the millions-on-millions books about a jock and a nerd. But then again, I love the trope, too, but it was becoming oversaturated for a minute.
So now what? The platform is still free. Yes, but what propelled Wattpad into what it is today.
It’s That Premium Package
Well, Wattpad Premium began to roll out in 2017 to select regions to see the audience’s response to it. And it was positive! Then, once it hit the United States, there was a bit of an outrage because of the amount of ads on stories. For example, I would watch an ad to go to the next chapter. That is fine for me. But, when I try to go back to a previous chapter, I have to watch another ad. Now, that is where a lot of people drew the line. So, this is where Wattpad gets our attention. Think of their Premium package like the Spotify Premium package. Unlimited ad-free content, offline stories, along with more customization tools to use for your overall experience.
But what if I just don’t want ads? Okay, pay for Premium.
The solution is simple, and it doesn’t sit right in my spirit. I was once an avid reader on the platform, started a small poetry series there, and now I have limited features when I am used to multiple features. If I could, I would pay for the package, but my funds said otherwise. But enough complaining! I am happy that Wattpad is expanding its success to many avenues. Like the rest of all of us, we live and laugh! So, I would like to share some of my favorites from the past that are still on the platform!
Is Wattpad Still Popular? Well, Of Course!
The Cupid’s Match
Let me sit you down for a minute. When I tell that this book, this book absolutely lived in my middle school mind rent-free. “The Cupid’s Match” by LEPalphreyman/Lauren Palphreyman was originally published as Book 1 back in 2015! The story is about this baddie named Lila and she enters the Cupids Matchmaking Service to tell them to leave her alone with all of their messages. But twist, now she knows that cupids are real! And bigger twist, she was matched with a love god and when I tell you, he was locked in! This man was locked in for Lila! Honestly, Book 1 is so iconic and it was one of the first original stories that really skyrocketed on the platform. I mean, what more could you ask for:
- Amazing main character ✅
- Hot male lead ✅
- Mythological characters and setting ✅
- Turmoil, plot twists, cute scenes ✅✅✅
If you have not read “The Cupid’s Match”, this book was the star of the show back in the day. Also, you can purchase the paperback version as well! I don’t want to spoil because it is a read that you need to sit down for!
The Phantom’s African Rose
I will say this loud and proudly: yes, I am still in my Phantom of the Opera phase! But, it was strong back in middle school like oh my gosh, I loved that man! So one faithful afternoon, I stumbled upon this alternative universe (AU) version of the story but with a woman that travels inside the story! “The Phantom’s African Rose” by ChristianMorgan7 and it is about a woman named Evangeline McKenna who was living in Atlanta and she loves the theater! Then, she meets the Phantom through a time portal and changes his course of love for Christine! It is an absolute joy of a read that will make you fall in love with the Phantom of the Opera fandom!
The Tomboy and the Bad Boy
The Tomboy and the Bad Boy was like an original trope that was introduced into the Wattpad world, especially in this book! The book was written by Nicole Nwosu, and it is about Macy, 17, and Sam, who are on opposite sides of the status quo in high school. Of course, Sam has a British accent (hence the influence of Harry Styles fanfiction), and Macy is your all-around charismatic tomboy who just loves to play sports! This book is filled with flirty moments, some deep senses, and a moment Macy and Sam have with one another is to die for! If anything, I highly recommend this read for your next sitdown!
I am not going to lie, I love Wattpad. I will forever love the platform and what it has done for so many upcoming authors from the 2014-2017 era! Also, I am in love with the Wattpad Studios original stories like yes keep them coming! I will forever support the authors on the platform because it is one of the few platforms that really took off!
What are your thoughts on Wattpad? Is Wattpad still popular? Share in the comments!
Leave a Reply