Wattpad is a platform that allows writers to share their work with a community of over 70 million readers. It's an amazing platform for writers who want to share their stories with people all around the world. With different genres like romance, fantasy, adventure, sci-fi, and many more, Wattpad boasts of the most diverse library of stories online.

This platform is not only a haven for creative writers, but also for avid readers. It offers a unique and intimate experience where readers can engage with stories from their preferred genres, and follow updates from their favorite authors. From unpublished writers to even renowned authors, Wattpad has become an integral part of the digital literature scene.

Fanfiction on Wattpad

One of the genres popular on Wattpad is the fanfiction genre. Fanfiction refers to works written by fans of certain books, movies, cartoons, games, etc., where they use the original work characters, settings, or even the main plotline to explore their narrative. From stories about beloved TV show characters to alternate endings of worldwide popular movies and novels, you will find a plethora of imaginative and unique plotlines in Wattpad's fanfiction genre.

The fanfiction community on Wattpad is large and supportive, offering various spaces where writers can explore their creativity and readers can engage with their favorite storylines. Though most fanfiction writing is about pure passion, love for the original work, and an exploration of creativity, it is natural for some writers to wonder whether they can monetize their fan-created content. The central question becomes: does Wattpad pay for fanfiction?

Paid stories on Wattpad

Wattpad introduced their "Paid Stories" program in 2019, allowing writers to earn money from their fiction. This program works when readers buy Coins from Wattpad, and they can then use these Coins to unlock Paid Stories in various chapters, supporting the author in the process. Available worldwide, this program has allowed many authors to get paid for their writing.

However, the Paid Stories program is not open to all Wattpad writers. Writers need to apply and be accepted into the program, and to be accepted, certain criteria have to be met such as having a large and engaging audience, a complete story, and a strong writing style. So, can fanfiction writers take advantage of this program?

Does Wattpad Pay For Fanfiction?

The simple answer is no, Wattpad does not pay for fanfiction. While the platform's primary aim is to support and nurture budding authorial talent and even facilitate their earning through the Paid Stories program, the potential illegality of making money from fanfiction overrides this objective. Essentially, most fanfiction authors use characters, setting, etc., from original works without the author's or copyright holder's permission, creating a potential unlawful situation should money come into play.

It should be noted that while Revenue Unknown doesn't specifically exclude fanfiction, those who apply for this program must own the rights to the material they're submitting. Therefore, given that fanfiction involves significantly borrowing from other people's original works, fanfiction writers usually do not qualify for the Paid Stories program.

Alternate Earning Opportunities For Fanfiction Writers

Thus, while one might not be able to directly earn from Wattpad for Fanfiction, there exist other ways to monetize their work at large. For instance, some fanfiction authors have begun using Patreon, another platform that enables creators to earn through their work. Here, fans subscribe to a writer's Patreon page and donate money either per work or monthly.

Another popular platform is Ko-fi, where fans can offer writers a 'coffee' - essentially a small financial donation. Additionally, skilled fanfiction writers often offer their services as beta readers or editors, opening up another stream of income.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Wattpad pay for stories?
   Yes, via its Paid Stories program. However, not all stories are eligible for this. They must meet certain criteria and the author must hold all the necessary rights.
2. Can you make money on Wattpad?
   Yes, through the Paid Stories program. Also, some writers use Wattpad to gain a following and then sell self-published books.
3. Is fanfiction legal?
   Yes, as long as it is not used for commercial purposes. Some authors and companies do have issues with fanfiction, but it's generally accepted as legal as long as it's non-profit.

Conclusion

While Wattpad does not pay for fanfiction due to legal considerations surrounding copyright infringement, the platform provides an expressive and supportive community where writers can still share their imaginative narratives with their fans. Furthermore, writers have found alternatives for earning opportunities out of their popularity on Wattpad. Therefore, money or not, the passion for writing and sharing compelling narratives remains the core essence for writers on Wattpad.

References

1. Wattpad Help Centre, Paid Stories. Available. [Online]
2. Alexandra Alter, 'The World of Fan Fiction', The New York Times, 2012.
3. Justin Jouvenal, 'Can D.C. Attorney General Use an Obscure Law to Take Down FanDuel and DraftKings?', The Washington Post, 2015.

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