The Wattys 2018 are over, and it's now winter: a usual time of desolateness and gloom (unless you like winter, that is). Yes, Wattpad is a site for reading and writing, and like previous years, this year's Wattys weren't inclusive of designers. But why shouldn't they be? Every book needs a cover - and who better to sort out the aesthetic of your book than a designer?

With the reintroduction of the Graphic Wattys, all hope for recognition is not lost - get ready for a chance to enter the biggest competition on Wattpad redesigned for designers! You can enter any of the following twelve categories:

1. NEW TALENT

There've been a lot of new designers since we hosted the Graphic Wattys last, and we want to hear from you! Regardless of whether you got caught up in the frenzy of designing in the community we have or if designing has always been an area you'd like to explore, you're more than welcome here.

2. DARK COVERS

Fantasy and Science Fiction - both categories that are hugely relevant in our generation, even though they were only introduced by Katniss Everdeen. This category doesn't only cover these two, though! This is for any designer who considers themselves to make graphics that are more dark in nature.

3. LIGHT COVERS

This is the antithesis of dark covers! Fancy something light, bright and all things sweet? This category is for you - anyone who makes Teen Fiction, Young Adult or anything like that, we'd love to hear from you! 

4. MANIPULATED COVERS

Do you enjoy combining multiple images into a brilliant showcase of your graphic designing skills? Coupled with text, manipulations can become stunning artwork that is likely to feature on covers of books. Get ready with an army of layers and PSDs and textures, and you're set!

5. SIMPLE/MINIMALIST COVERS

What's a simple/minimalist cover? Well, in short, the former is a photograph base with a well-placed series of text, whereas the latter is something that embodies 'less is more' - if you're still confused, search 'minimalist cover' and you'll have your answer!

6. BANNERS/BLENDS

Sure, covers are cool, but have you ever seen the story banners or blends that feature prominently before chapters? These can literally set the tone and mood of your story, evoking certain emotions in readers even before they've read a single word. A banner or blend can be in any dimension you choose - the sky's the limit!

7. CD COVERS

With the rise of Spotify, compact disks are an endangered species. Actually, what even are compact disks? They're known as CDs - and their covers, while on the brink of extinction, are beautiful pieces of artwork nonetheless. 

8. BOOK JACKETS

If you can make a book jacket, you're basically a professional designer! Book jackets include not just the cover but a spine and a back cover, meaning you have to have the blurb and some select quotes as well. Who knows, you might just find one of your designs in a certain bookshop near you sometime soon!

9. ICONS

Let's be honest - we (partly) judge a profile by its icon. There are a whole range of icons, including the simple ones and vectors ones and then the manipulated ones - and all are so pretty! In this category, you'll be asked to showcase your talent at producing eye-catching small images that have an effect incredibly dissimilar to their size.

10. TRAILERS

Trailer-makers aren't that common, but they're incredibly talented! Imagine manipulating images, which is what we as designers do. Well, these people manage to manipulate images... multiplied by the hundreds because of all the shots and scenes! If you're looking for something that will really elevate the status of your book, a trailer is definitely the way to go.

11. PHOTOMANIPULATIONS/VECTORS/DIGITAL ART

Who can forget photomanipulations, vectors and other forms of digital art? Often, they're the things that form the basis of other types of graphics. In this section, we're letting you roam free in the realm of imagination and creativity: your boundaries are the boundaries of your art! 

12. MISCELLANEOUS ART

Here's the category in which you can truly run wild. Whether you like painting, sketching, abstract art, cubism, or any other form of miscellaneous art, you fit in here! This is a community, and we'd be glad to have you.

How do you enter? Well, it's simple! Tag your graphic book #GraphicWattys2018, post a comment in the relevant chapter of this book with the link to your entry, and you're in.