Wattpad Books Expands Publishing Portfolio with New Adult Commercial Fiction Imprint “W by Wattpad Books”
Launching in Winter 2022, “W by Wattpad Books” will cater to contemporary fiction fans, debuting with five titles from some of the most exciting romance authors on Wattpad
The first title from “W by Wattpad Books” will be Lockdown on London Lane, from The Kissing Booth author and Wattpad superstar Beth Reekles
TORONTO - May 20, 2021 - After taking the publishing world by storm with some of the most exciting titles in YA, Wattpad Books today announced “W by Wattpad Books,” a new adult imprint to bring more internationally beloved Wattpad stories to bookshelves. With five commercial fiction and romance novels planned at launch, the first “W by Wattpad Books” title will debut on February 1, 2022 with Lockdown on London Lane by bestselling author Beth Reekles. The novel marks Beth Reekles’ return to Wattpad after a stream of incredible success in publishing and entertainment.
Reekles, who is known for her work in the YA space, began her writing career at just fifteen years old when she began writing The Kissing Booth on Wattpad. The story accumulated over 20 million reads on the platform before being published by Penguin Random House and becoming a smash-hit film from Netflix and Komixx Entertainment. On returning to Wattpad, Reekles said, “This is a full circle moment. My readers have grown up alongside me, and I am happy to be publishing my debut adult novel with Wattpad, the platform that brought us together.”
“W by Wattpad Books” brings the Wattpad Books approach to a wider segment of the book-buying market, combining human editorial expertise with Wattpad’s Story DNA Machine Learning technology to identify and publish stand-out stories from diverse voices across the globe. Tina McIntyre, Head of Wattpad Books North America, will guide the strategy for the press and new imprint with Deanna McFadden, Publishing Director, guiding the editorial vision and acquisitions.
“There are hundreds of millions of incredible stories on Wattpad, and our work in YA has barely scratched the surface of must-read stories and talent on the platform,” said Ashleigh Gardner, Deputy General Manager at Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, Publishing. “W by Wattpad Books is the next step in the natural evolution of our publishing program. Over and over we’ve seen fans age up with the genres they love, following their favourite authors and stories to new adult settings in college or the workplace. For years, we’ve worked with international publishing partners to bring acclaimed adult novels to fans, resulting in massive success stories such as After and Chasing Red. I’m excited to continue to do what we do best at Wattpad: discover new talent, elevate diverse voices, and bring quality, in-demand stories to readers everywhere.”
Wattpad will continue to partner with Macmillan in the U.S and Raincoast Books in Canada for sales distribution. The first full slate of novels from “W by Wattpad Books” is as follows:
Lockdown on London Lane by Beth Reekles (@Reekles)
Follow five stories of twenty-somethings through their week of quarantine, where romances will blossom, friendships fracture, and relationships are forged that could last a lifetime.
Available on February 1, 2022
428K Reads
Drive by Tamara Lush (@TamaraLush)
He's an arrogant race car driver with an attitude. She's a stubborn tire mechanic out to prove herself in a man's world. When sparks fly, will their passion make it to the finish line? ...
Available March 1, 2022
2.1M Reads
Lead Me Astray by Sondi Warner (@lesserknown1)
When Aurie dies, only two people can save her soul: a seductive Empath who sees her ghost, and a hot werewolf investigating her death. But will she accept the desire swirling between the three of them? An LGBTQIA+ paranormal romance.
Available March 15, 2022
135K Reads
Out of His League by Caroline A. Richardson (@MustangSabby)
After a spontaneous fling in Vegas with her favourite baseball player, Gretchen Harper starts to wonder if one night can possibly turn into forever.
Available April 5, 2022
1.2M Reads
Stiletto Sisterhood by Fallon DeMornay (@FallonDeMornay)
Priyanka, Isobel, Caitriona, Eshe & Shayne are five diverse twenty-something best friends out to conquer their dreams. Follow their trials and triumphs as they face relationship dramas, job issues, and adjust to life in the adult world.
Available April 12, 2022
443K Reads
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Wattpad Books publishes a new generation of diverse authors and stories the world needs to read. Leveraging Wattpad’s global community of 90 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.
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