When we first invested in Wattpad in 2011, we were excited about the community for writing and reading stories that was growing all around the world. Much as happened since then, including the publication of After which was a breakout hit and is being developed into a movie. Based in part on the success of After, the company launched Wattpad Studios to deepen collaboration with the entertainment industry.
Today, Wattpad is announcing the first such partnership: a co-operation with Turner. M. Night Shyamalan is bringing Tales from the Crypt back on TNT and will use input from Wattpad writers and readers. Wattpad has a very active horror category that’s producing a lot of original content and can provide data and feedback on ideas.
What I love about this is that it cracks the process for getting a story onto television wide open. It used to be an incredibly opaque process (not unlike venture capital once was) where you had to pitch people who would then eventually get you to pitch other people who might possibly be able to greenlight your idea. On Wattpad anyone can write and it is the community that forms an audience.
You can read more about the partnership on the Wattpad blog. Now there is no excuse for procrastinating on your horror story idea. Start writing!
