WattCon 2022 returns to In-Person Event for the First Time Since COVID-19

Wattpad, a global entertainment company specializing in webnovels, hosted their WattCon 2022 convention at the Hollywood Loews Hotel on November 19th, 2022. This year’s event returned to in-person programming after two years of virtual events.

 The convention has long been known for bringing together some of the company’s most popular and influential webnovelists to celebrate their work, shining a light on stories and the people who write them. Among the famous authors featured in 2022’s convention were Ariana Goodey, author of the popular Through My Window, Perfect Addiction author Claudia Tan, and Anna Todd, whose After webnovel series garnered over 1 billion reads.

WattCon 2022 consisted of several programs, including author-led panels, Q&A sessions, workshops, and meet and greets. These programs covered a number of fascinating topics surrounding the fictional writing process, including the usage of tropes within the romance genre, world-building/genre-blending, and how to write authentically by inserting personal experiences into a new and unique story different from your own.

Several programs focused on the practical side of fictional writing, such as a panel on how to create a successful pitch and an AMA session with Wattpad officials concerning the features of the writing platform.

 The convention concluded with the 2022 Wattys award ceremony, hosted by renowned Booktoker Kevin Norman and TikTok influencer Jonathan Moore. The 2022 Watty awards were highly anticipated due to a record number of prizes, including an offer for publication and adaptation through Wattpad’s WEBTOON studios.

Awards were given to acclaimed webnovels across many genres, including Fanfiction, Sci-Fi, Horror, Mystery, and Historical Fiction. Other awards recognized specific writing attributes such as best characters, most engaging world, biggest twist, and catchiest hook.

This year’s grand prize winners were the vampire noir novel The Vampire Always Bites Twice, written by A Hopeless Necromaniac, and the darkly poetic La Niña, by LynnS13. These winners will receive a cash prize of $5,000 amongst other awards, including priority publication and adaptation consideration by WEBTOON and promotion on the Wattpad website.

Over the years, Wattcon has grown from a small event planned by fans to a landmark convention for webnovel readers and writers across the globe. Following two years of virtual conventions, the return to an in-person event was highly anticipated.

“We’re thrilled to be in-person again so our authors and their fans can really connect over their shared passion for amazing stories,” said Wattpad Chief Content Officer Sue Johnson prior to the event. Looking back at the convention’s informative panels and recognition of a record number of talented writers, Johnson’s excitement was clearly realized this past Saturday.