Today marks the end of our Featured Author contest for January - though if you didn't win this month, The Spring Featured List is accepting submissions!

Contest winner will be announced below. Featured Author will always include an interview with the winning author.

This month's contests included:

.Featured Author (held monthly).
.Featured List (held every three months, OPEN until February 5th).

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A n d . . .

J a n u a r y ' s
F e a t u r e d A u t h o r

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For those who don't know, Aurora is an incredible author who's dabbling in a YA mystery at the moment!

Since posting on Wattpad one year ago, she's written 1 book, that being intriguing high school drama, I Don't Smile. This novel follows the aftermath of the suicide of Neveah Knight, a classmate no one thought could have been unhappy. With the help of her brother, Killian Knight, and his new friend, Katherine Quentin, we're going to get to the bottom of exactly why Neveah ended her life. I definitely recommend this one, namely for anyone who liked books like High School Hit List and Confessions About Colton - this one will live up to the hype!

Since getting to know Aurora, I can tell you that she's got a raw talent that has yet to be fully discovered. Though she's only dipped her toe into the online writing scene here on Wattpad with her debut novel, I know there will be more content equally as deserving of your attention as that of her current work. With her attention to detail - namely that of her skill for developing a rich plot with alluring characters - there's no end to the extent of what she can do. I know I'll be keeping an eye on her, especially after reading I Don't Smile. It's only going to get better from here!

I would like to give my personal congratulations to this amazing author! You will be featured both here, and on my website!

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For anyone that would like to get to know Aurora better, check out the interview below!

How long have you been on Wattpad?
I had first discovered Wattpad in 2015 (I don't remember which month) and have been reading/writing in it ever since.

How long have you been writing?
I have been writing since I was in the 2nd grade...and since then, never stopped.

When did you first realize you wanted to write?
I first realized I wanted to write when I was in the 2nd Grade , after an author had came to my school and did a talk on her books and about why she wrote. That inspired me so much that I spent the day just wanting to go back home and write. And when I did, my Mother read it ('it' being a couple of pages of a 'mystery' book between two girls) and said I was good at it. (I guess, for a 2nd grader) And on that day, I decided I wanted to write.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
When I'm not writing, I love to do a variety of things and I dabble in multiple kind of hobbies- but I find myself mostly watching any kind of dramas (a different kind every month- be it K-dramas, C-dramas, Lakorns...etc.) or just reading.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say when you do?
I don't frequently get back comments/feedbacks from readers but nevertheless, I still appreciate anyone who had ever read my books, be it I was aware of it or not!

What do you think makes a good story?
I'd have to say well-developed characters, good plots and detailed descriptions.

How do you go about writing a chapter?
Usually, I'd just start writing anything that first pops into my mind. Sometimes, as I let the ideas flow, more will come and I would have to write them all down and then slowly take my time to decide if I should use it or not, and if so where would it go into the story...etc. However, recently, I've started to draw up timelines and plans, just to organise and plan everything. I found myself trapped in situations without a clue how to continue the story in a sudden direction way too many times...

What gives you inspiration?
I honestly find myself getting inspired by any of my favorite authors' words on how they wrote their books. For some reason, seeing other authors talk about their process of writing really inspire me to be like them, as well.

Who influences your writing?
I don't think anyone influences my writing. I mean, other than the ocassions where I seek my friends' advice on where the story should go, but that's all.

How would you describe yourself as a writer?
I would describe myself as an author just trying to express myself and the multiple story ideas that are in my mind and finding a way to that through writing :)

What's your favorite genre to write under?
I love writing under Poetry and YA. I, personally, have never used books as an escape from reality. I just saw it as giving me a fresh new perspective and introducing me to new people's lives instead. Strangely, I find myself reading more of Fantasy outside of Wattpad than anything else.

What's one of your favorite stories on Wattpad?
I really loved reading 'Someone Like You'. And especially 'Elle's Saviour'- whenever I read that book, I always get the urge to write!

And finally, what's one of your favorite stories you've written on Wattpad?
I've started many books but rarely completed any. However, I'd have to say the book I currently only have up now, 'I Don't Smile', is one of my most favorite stories written on Wattpad. I guess the main reason being I feel the most connected to the characters than I have ever with any others in my other books.

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The following have won spots on The Featured List for my site:

W i n t e r F e a t u r e d L i s t

1. The Watchers by Misty Hayes (FA2018)

2. King of Solace by Maxwell (Sep 18')

3. Mated To Twins by Suzi (Oct 18')

4. Love Just Like That by Kaye (Nov 18')

5. Winter Went by Ana (FA2019)

6. Color by Thomas (thomaseng )

7. With The Wolves by inkedlimerence (Dec 18')

8. Are by EPrescott

9. The Phantom Heartbeat by Bluemin (Blue_The_Bard )

10. Living With My Boss by Sophi (xoxSophixox )

11. The Woman Who Ruined His Life by Agatha Lambert (aggie23FF )

12. The Beauty Within You by (Fondness_Fantasies )

13. Gone by Caroline (Caroline_Wissa)

14. Addicted To Blood by Brianna (wannabe_writers)

15. The Sky's The Limit by Dawn (DawnMDrake)

16. Born in A Storm by SouthMarie

17. Gladiator by Sarah (Whittyisi)

18. Reviving Her by UnravelingHaSi

All Featured List members will have their book added to a blog post and a promotional page on my website, as well as being added to a Featured List reading list on my profile here on Wattpad.

All spots HAVE BEEN FILLED and were added to a reading list on my profile on November 13th - The Winter Featured List (Shay Writes Smiles)!

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Thank you all to those who entered!

Continue reading to find out more on how to get your story featured on my Wattpad/website! The Spring Featured List is open for submissions!

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