Anna Todd, Bestselling Author and Film Producer of the After Series, To Launch New Imprint Frayed Pages x Wattpad Books
Frayed Pages x Wattpad Books is the first major imprint to launch under the Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group
Los Angeles, CA – November 9, 2021- Anna Todd, the international bestselling author of the After series today announced the launch of Frayed Pages x Wattpad Books, a new co-branded publishing imprint to be housed under the Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group, the publishing division of Wattpad WEBTOON Studios.
Todd is the #1 bestselling author of After, the fiction series that became a blockbuster literary hit around the world, selling more than 15 million copies with translations in 35 languages. A writer, influencer and film producer, Todd heads the multimedia company Frayed Pages Media.
The launch of the imprint Frayed Pages x Wattpad Books marks a new and expanded relationship between Anna Todd and Wattpad: she began writing the After series on Wattpad in 2013 --garnering more than two billion reads on the platform to date -- and turned her story into a series of New York Times bestselling novels. Wattpad and Todd have also collaborated on the film franchise of the After series released theatrically around the world, and in the US by Netflix, as a #1 streamed film upon release.
“I am beyond thrilled to welcome Anna home,” said Aron Levitz, President at Wattpad WEBTOON Studios. “Anna Todd is the original author-as-influencer. Anna’s creativity, combined with her ability to build a passionate global fanbase, has set the template for the future of entertainment, and we’re excited to embark on a new relationship with her.”
Frayed Pages x Wattpad Books will publish all of Anna Todd’s forthcoming literary work, including three new titles in 2022. Led by Todd, the imprint will also publish books by established and emerging writers of commercial fiction.
“I’ve learned so much since I began as a writer and I look forward to sharing my experience with Frayed Pages x Wattpad Books and its authors,” said Anna Todd. “Our mission with this imprint is to not only celebrate writers telling stories from unique perspectives, but to broaden the world of storytelling to give a new generation of talent the tools to get their words to readers everywhere.”
Todd will be involved in every aspect of publication for books published by Frayed Pages X Wattpad Books, from acquisition to launch and promotion, working in partnership with Anne Messitte who, in two decades as an acclaimed publisher and editor at Penguin Random House launched many bestselling writers including the romance category’s record-shattering Fifty Shades of Grey series. As Frayed Pages’ Consulting Publisher, Messitte will edit Todd’s forthcoming books and guide publishing strategy for the imprint, working closely with the teams at Wattpad Books. Ashleigh Gardner, SVP, Publishing at Wattpad WEBTOONS Studios will oversee the imprint for Wattpad.
Frayed Pages x Wattpad Books’ inaugural publication will be After: The Graphic Novel (Volume One), a spring 2022 release, followed by the first two volumes of Todd’s new fiction trilogy – an exploration of relationships and family bonds against the backdrop of American military life –planned for Summer and Fall 2022.
Wattpad WEBTOON Book Groups’ innovative partnership with Todd to create Frayed Pages x Wattpad Books will provide writers with unique access to promoting their work within Wattpad’s global community of more than 94 million passionate readers and writers – one of the world’s most vital and dynamic creative platforms. Working with Todd, Messitte, and the Wattpad Books publishing team, authors will have a hands-on role in their publishing: from editorial book production and design, to marketing, publicity, and social promotion. The imprint’s books and eBooks will be sold and distributed in all channels by Macmillan.
“My journey started with those first words on Wattpad, so entering into this new partnership truly is a full circle moment,” said Anna Todd. “Along with the brilliant Anne Messitte, I’m proud to support a new generation of writers, elevating their work and bringing new voices to bookshelves everywhere.”
“Anna has set a standard for creativity and innovation when it comes to publishing fiction and connecting with readers,” said Anne Messitte. “For years she and I have discussed the often unmet needs of entrepreneurial writers in the traditional publishing space and now, with the launch of Frayed Pages x Wattpad Books, she and Wattpad are turning ideas into action: creating an inclusive, collaborative new publishing imprint where writers are supported by community.”
“The story of Wattpad and After have become synonymous, and we’re so proud of all Anna has accomplished, from her first read on the platform to a film franchise inspired by millions of books sold,” said Ashleigh Gardner. “Anna continues to set the precedent of what success on Wattpad can look like. We're excited to continue to trailblaze with her and keep reaching new heights together.”
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ABOUT ANNA TODD
Anna Todd is the New York Times bestselling author of the After series. Always an avid reader, Todd began writing stories on her phone through Wattpad with After becoming its most-read series with over 2 billion reads. She has been hailed by Cosmopolitan as “the biggest literary phenomenon of her generation.” The print edition of After was published in 2014, and has since been released in over 35 languages, sold more than 12 million copies worldwide and was a #1 bestseller in countries across the globe. Since the release of After, Todd has gone on to write eight additional novels and served as producer and screenwriter on the film adaptations of After and After We Collided. A native of Ohio, Anna, her husband, and son currently live in Seattle. She is represented worldwide by Flavia Viotti, Principal of the Bookcase Literary Agency in Los Angeles and Principal Advisor for Frayed Pages, Inc.
ABOUT WATTPAD BOOKS
Wattpad Books publishes a new generation of diverse authors and stories the world needs to read. Leveraging Wattpad’s global community of 94 million passionate readers and data-backed insights about the genres and stories they love, Wattpad Books combines art & science to find the trends, genres, and writers that will shape the future of publishing. By elevating the stories and voices of communities around the world, Wattpad Books is creating new space for diverse writers on bookshelves everywhere. Wattpad Books are stories the world needs, from voices you’ll love to read Visit books.wattpad.com for more information.
ABOUT FRAYED PAGES MEDIA
Frayed Pages Media is a multimedia company founded in 2019 by Anna Todd. Throughout her career as writer and
producer, Todd has shattered the rules of traditional publishing and filmmaking. With Frayed Pages Media, Todd uses
those insights and experiences to guide and spotlight unique storytellers from across the globe. Frayed Pages Media
puts storytellers first.