Who Are The Top Authors Of Wattpad Published Books?

As someone who spends way too much time scrolling through Wattpad, I've noticed a fascinating trend where certain stories explode in popularity and even get traditionally published. 'After' by Anna Todd is probably the most iconic example—it started as a Harry Styles fanfiction and became a global phenomenon, even spawning a movie series. Another standout is 'The Kissing Booth' by Beth Reekles, which she wrote as a teenager and later adapted into a Netflix film. More recently, 'The Love Hypothesis' by Ali Hazelwood gained massive traction on Wattpad before becoming a New York Times bestseller. I also adore 'Hate to Love You' by Tijan, a classic enemies-to-lovers story that captivated readers. These books prove that Wattpad isn't just a platform for amateur writers but a launchpad for future bestsellers. The mix of relatable tropes, emotional depth, and addictive storytelling makes these works impossible to put down.

Oh, this always lights me up — Wattpad has been a wild factory for breakout hits. The two names everyone remembers are definitely 'After' by Anna Todd and 'The Kissing Booth' by Beth Reekles. 'After' began as a serial on Wattpad, exploded with millions of reads, then landed a traditional publishing deal and even a movie franchise; you could argue it redefined how serialized fanfiction-style storytelling could cross into mainstream publishing. 'The Kissing Booth' followed a similar arc: teen writer, massive Wattpad following, a publishing contract, and then a Netflix adaptation that made the book a household title. Beyond those two, there are plenty of other Wattpad-originated works that went on to big sales — sometimes as Amazon bestsellers or strong regional bestsellers rather than straight onto the New York Times list. For example, titles like 'Chasing Red' and 'The Bad Boy's Girl' grew huge on Wattpad and later enjoyed bestselling runs once they were officially published. Some stories took the indie route and became top sellers on Kindle and iBooks; others were snapped up by publishers who recognized the ready-made audience. The main takeaway I always share in online chats is that Wattpad proved readers can be tastemakers — publishers started watching the numbers there because a story that already has an audience often converts to sales. If you want a deep dive, I often poke around Wattpad’s success stories and publisher press releases to see which serials crossed over next — it's a fun rabbit hole.

I've spent countless hours scrolling through Wattpad, diving into stories that range from heartwarming romances to spine-chilling thrillers. The idea of turning these digital gems into physical books is not just possible but has been done before. Some Wattpad stories like 'After' by Anna Todd gained massive popularity and were eventually published traditionally. The process isn't straightforward, though. Authors need to ensure their work is polished, edited, and stands out enough to catch a publisher's eye. Self-publishing is another route, with platforms like Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing offering tools to bring stories to life in print. It's a thrilling thought that a story born online could end up on someone's bookshelf.

I'm still that person who squeals when a scrappy Wattpad story breaks out into the big leagues, so let me gush a bit: the two poster children everyone cites are 'After' by Anna Todd and 'The Kissing Booth' by Beth Reekles. 'After' began as a serialized fanfic-style story on Wattpad and grew into a massive phenomenon, eventually being cleaned up, traditionally published, hitting bestseller lists, and spawning film adaptations. 'The Kissing Booth' is the other big success story — it started when Beth was a teen on Wattpad and later moved into traditional publishing and then a very successful Netflix adaptation that introduced more readers to the book. Beyond those two, Wattpad has acted as a launchpad for a number of writers who secured traditional deals. Authors who built big followings on the platform have had books picked up by established publishers or indie imprints; some saw strong sales even if they didn't all become household-name bestsellers. Titles often mentioned in that context include stories like 'My Life with the Walter Boys' and a few popular teen-romance entries that were later edited for print. The wider trend is that Wattpad functions as a testing ground — publishers scout the engagement numbers, fan communities, and the strongest voices, then invest in getting those stories into bookstores, sometimes with new covers, revisions, and marketing muscle. If you want to dig through the history, check publisher press releases and bestseller lists from the mid-2010s onward — that's when the biggest Wattpad-to-traditional swings happened. And if you like discovering under-the-radar gems, browsing Wattpad’s most-read lists can feel like treasure hunting; every so often you’ll spot a story with the right spark that could be the next big crossover.

As someone who spends a lot of time exploring indie publishing platforms, I've seen Wattpad stories evolve into mainstream media, and it's fascinating. Some gems like 'After' by Anna Todd started as Wattpad fanfiction and became a movie franchise. The platform has a unique way of gauging audience love—through reads, votes, and comments—which makes it a goldmine for studios hunting for stories with built-in fanbases. However, adapting Wattpad stories isn't always smooth. Many works are raw and unedited, requiring heavy polishing for screen adaptation. But the emotional authenticity and fresh perspectives in stories like 'The Kissing Booth' (another Wattpad-to-Netflix success) prove their potential. Studios often scout trending tags or partner with Wattpad for official programs like 'Wattpad Books' and 'Wattpad Studios,' which streamline adaptations. For writers dreaming of seeing their work on screen, Wattpad’s community-driven model offers a rare launchpad.

Wattpad is a treasure trove of diverse genres, but some stand out more than others due to their massive followings. Romance is undoubtedly the king here, with stories like 'After' by Anna Todd gaining cult status. These tales often explore young love, forbidden relationships, or slow burns that keep readers hooked. Fantasy and supernatural genres are also huge, with werewolves, vampires, and magic schools dominating the charts. 'The Cellar' by Natasha Preston is a great example of how thriller and horror can blend seamlessly into Wattpad’s ecosystem. Another genre that thrives is fanfiction, where writers reimagine worlds from popular movies, books, or bands. Contemporary YA fiction is equally popular, often tackling real-life issues like mental health or identity. Wattpad’s serialized format makes slice-of-life and drama genres incredibly engaging, as readers return weekly for new updates. The platform’s global community also means cultural stories and LGBTQ+ romances find passionate audiences. Whether you crave fluff or angst, Wattpad’s got a genre for every mood.

As someone who's spent countless hours diving into both traditionally published and self-published works, I've noticed Wattpad operates a bit differently from mainstream publishers. While Wattpad doesn’t have a formal editing process like traditional houses, many authors go through rigorous self-editing or hire freelance editors before publishing. Some stories are polished to near perfection, while others feel raw and unrefined—part of the platform’s charm, honestly. Wattpad does have community-driven features like feedback comments and voting, which can help writers refine their work over time. The platform also runs programs like 'Wattpad Stars' and 'Wattpad Books,' where selected stories receive professional editing before being published physically or digitally. So, while Wattpad itself doesn’t mandate edits, the ecosystem encourages improvement through both community and official opportunities.

If you're hunting for printed copies of stories that started on Wattpad, the good news is they're out there — sometimes in surprising places. A lot of well-known examples like 'After' and 'The Kissing Booth' made the jump to traditional publishing, so the usual suspects carry them: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, Indigo for Canada, and major chains in your country. I once tracked down a signed paperback of a Wattpad-turned-book at a tiny indie shop after weeks of searching online; asking a real person at a local bookstore can work wonders because they can order through distributors like Ingram if the book has an ISBN. For smaller or self-published Wattpad authors, look beyond big retailers. Many authors sell print copies directly through their websites, Etsy, Gumroad, or shops linked from their Wattpad profile. Used marketplaces — eBay, ThriftBooks, and Better World Books — are great for out-of-print runs. If you're unsure about legitimacy or edition, search the ISBN or use WorldCat to see which libraries hold it, then request an interlibrary loan or check library catalogs and public library apps like Libby for digital copies. Following the author on social media or subscribing to their newsletter often gives preorder links, signing event updates, or limited print editions, which is how I snagged a special edition once.