BOYCOTTING WATTYS 2020?!


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Heads up! If you get easily triggered, you might not want to read this!


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Yep, apparently people are going around saying we should boycott the Wattys because it's becoming more unfair and biased every year.


Flash back to last year though when the longlist, shortlist, & maybe even the winners consisted of stories with a few hundred reads and a few thousand among stories with hundreds of thousands & millions of reads.


I can't remember if any of them won, since they've all gained so many more reads since then, but those books were in the lists because I remember specifically being skeptical then proud of Wattpad's new system for handling the Wattys. But last year was also the first year with the new system so I see it as a trial phase, with this year being the real deal (since they've had time to work out kinks & whatnot).


But people want to boycott it? Sorry, but that's not happening. Even if YOU agree with boycotting, people (like myself) are still going to submit their stories. And actually, you boycotting will just mean fewer entries for the Wattys algorithm to go through, it doesn't mean that's going to affect what stories win.


And speaking of winning, deep down, every person who enters into the Wattys most likely dreams of winning. I'll admit to feeling that way. Plus, the prizes for winning is potential publication or tv/movie deals, among other things. Do you really think people are going to pass up an opportunity for that because you've decided to step out? It means basically less competition for them.


I mean, if you want to boycott, go ahead. I, on the other hand, am going to see how Wattpad has implemented changes that should eliminate the bias and unfairness WITH A NEW SYSTEM before I make that decision.


Aren't you guys jumping the gun a little? They've already listened to us—hence the new system—but it's not an immediate fix AND it takes time to work out bugs.


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But, while you're boycotting, take some time to think about a few things regarding those mega popular stories you're jealous of:


-Do they have spelling and grammar errors?

There's tons of editors on Wattpad & yes, the Wattys looks at grammar & spelling.


-What genres are the stories in?

Because not all genres are that popular; doesn't mean the book isn't good, but that's how the writing world works. And Romance & YA are going to get a ton of reads because people likes those genres. Of course the Wattys is going to factor those into its potential lists, it's a competition after all. More on this stuff further down.


-What kind of following and relationship does the author have with their readers/followers?

People who interact with others generally will generate more readers prior to the Wattys and rack up more reads because people appreciate you getting out of your head and how hard you're working on your story to pay a little attention to the people who you want to read said story. Sharing your writing publicly and expecting people to read it is a give-&-take thing.


-[MOST IMPORTANTLY] How long has the book been published/completed?

Unfortunately, we can't see when a book was first uploaded unless we read it in real time. Only the authors can see when the first chapter was uploaded. Therefore, those books you are jealous of may have been on Wattpad for a LONG time before they generated that many reads. Or have gone through many drafts.


-Lastly...JUST BECAUSE A BOOK HAS A CRAZY NUMBER OF READS DOESN'T MEAN IT ISN'T AN AMAZING BOOK!

If it was your book, you'd feel VERY different about this.


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Again, by all means, boycott if you like, but I'm entering a story I've put a lot of work and heart into because, as long as it's entered, it has a chance. You can fight with me all day long but, if you don't know how the Wattys algorithm works, you don't have a right to say (again, with a new system) that books with only a couple hundred reads can't win a Wattys.


I would honestly LOVE to know if I'm the only one who feels this way.


And I am NOT sorry for this rant.