Twenty-five year old Anna Todd never thought she'd be an author. Marrying her high school sweetheart a month after graduating high school, the imaginative Texan worked jobs ranging from a makeup counter to an IRS processing center. In 2013, Anna took up writing as a hobby using Wattpad - a free social reading and writing app - on her mobile phone while at appointments or running errands.
The story After follows Tessa Young, an optimistic freshman at Washington State University and her tumultuous relationship with dark, troubled British bad boy Hardin Scott. Every few days, Anna used Wattpad to publish her newest installment.
The love story eventually became over 2,500 pages and has been viewed more than a billion times. It has received over 6 million comments! Todd's After story blossomed even further as Anna extended its reach using Instagram and Twitter, sharing photos, videos, songs, and other After world art.
Today, Anna Todd's After is being turned into a four-book series by Simon & Schuster, the first of which was released in October. The story is so powerfully moving and so popular that the film rights have been acquired by Paramount Pictures for adaptation into a movie!
This is definitely a remarkable feat for a first-time author, don't you think? This was due in part to Wattpad - where anyone can share a story, from newbies to established, previously published authors.
With Wattpad, stories can be read and shared from phones, tablets, and computers - granting easy access to an entire library - wherever you are. Wattpad establishes direct connections between readers and writers, allowing each to share and participate in the storytelling process. Writers can share their stories, while readers can offer plot suggestions via comments and messages or even submit original art or music to accompany the stories. Wattpad is free for both writers and readers!
Some interesting Wattpad facts:
- More than 40 million people have joined Wattpad
- More than 80 million free stories are available on Wattpad
- People spend 9 billion minutes a month on Wattpad
- Stories available in over 50 languages - all for free
- A new users joins Wattpad every second
- More than 24 hours of reading material is posted to Wattpad every minute
- 85% of all activity is on mobile
You can purchase Anna Todd's AFTER at Barnes & Noble and for your E-Reader.
You can follow @Imaginator1Dx on Twitter and Instagram at @Imaginator1D. You can find Anna Todd on Wattpad as Imaginator1D!
I participated in this sponsored campaign on behalf of One2One Network. All opinions stated are my own.
Jennifer
This sounds really cool! I'll have to give this a try. I love reading new authors.
HilLesha
I actually never heard of her or the series. I typically read books that are gritty and covers social issues, and this one sounds perfect!
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
Good for her for doing so well. She should be very proud of herself.
Clancy Harrison
I have never heard of the Wattpad. I will also have to check out her series as it sounds amazing. Happy new year to you and your family.
Catherine S
I had not heard of WattPad until now. I will have to check out the series.
Shell
She has accomplished so much. What an amazing woman!
Chrystal @ YUM eating
Wattpad is great. I used to write there some time ago. I love seeing folks who take something fun that they love to do and find their way with it.
Mitch
This is so interesting to me. It is like an underground book market almost. And growing in popularity! Thanks for the info!
deb
I've never heard of Watt Pad but it sounds like something I need to check out. Sharing with Em who loves to read as well.
Veronica
I need to get me that app. I love apps that make life better and make me more productive
Jeanine
So great for her! So amazing and awesome that app sounds fantastic, I haven't heard of it before now!
Debbie Denny
I will have to check watt pad. This read sounds great.
Theresa
This is such a great app! I think my daughter uses it to find great reads from time to time.
Stacey- Travel Blogger
These sound like great books to read! I would love to get the chance to read them!
Kim Croisant
Good apps are hard to come by - this one seems worth it the buy!!
Kendra
This seems like a really useful app. I'll have to look into it to learn more about it. I can see it being awesome for beginning writers.
Rosey
I haven't heard of wattpad until now. It's definitely interesting, and that is awesome for the new author who already has movie rights!
Jennifer @ The Foodie Patootie
Hmmm, I'm an avid reader and haven't heard of Wattpad. Glad you shared!!
Mary O'Malley
Sounds like an interesting book and a very neat app too. I hadn't heard of either. I'll check it out.
April Decheine
I have never heard of this but am intrigued now, the novel sounds like a really good book to start for the beach!
Liz Mays
This is the first I've heard of this app. The book sure has been getting great feedback!
lisa
My teen daughter introduced me to Wattpad recently. She is excited to read the rest of the After Saga!
Tonia
This is pretty neat. I've never heard of Wattpad. I'll have to check it out.
Ann BAcciaglia
What a great story. I love that she followed her passion, wrote a great story that is now going to be published and made into a movie!
Emily
This is the first I'm hearing of Wattpad. I will for sure be checking that and her book out! Sounds like a great read!