There are 10 categories that recognize the breadth of creativity and diversity of story genres around the world on Wattpad. So whether you’re a mystery maven or a bold new voice in YA, we want to hear from you!

New Adult This award recognizes stories about the modern ups and downs of work, life, and love in that golden moment between your late teens and twenties (18-25). Maybe your character is falling in love with their college roommate, or struggling to figure out their career. The New Adult award is seeking stories that provide a voice for those trying to “adult” in this day and age. If your contemporary tale is anything like Pitch Perfect, When Dimple Met Rishi or Red, White and Royal Blue, we want to see it! New Adult

Fanfiction This award showcases the worlds we love, the characters we know, and the stories we’re so obsessed with we have to take matters into our own hands. From BTS to Billie Eilish, Riverdale to The Avengers, your fandom knows no bounds! Characters and stories that are in the public domain are not considered fanfiction, but are instead retellings that fall under their respective genre. The Fanfiction category aims to recognize Wattpadders who have challenged and changed beginnings, endings, and relationships while staying true to the heart of the story. We are looking for fresh alternatives, rewrites, and divergent storylines for all our favorite characters or worlds so that we can spend a little more time with them after the book closes or the credits roll. Fanfiction

Fantasy This award recognizes the worldbuilders – the ones who take us on fantastical adventures, heroic battles, and epic journeys to save people, kingdoms, or dynasties. In this world, or another reality or universe, fantasy explores the magical and mythical unknown, ancient folklore, and mythical creatures. Is your character a goblin living in modern day Seoul, or a dragon riding the winds of a new land? If you are penning the next Golden Compass, Children of Blood and Bone, or City of Bones, then share your world with us. Fantasy

Historical Fiction This award recognizes the writers who take us on a journey through the past, who love writing about lush, historical settings, such as an Aztec temple, or the Scottish Highlands. Is your story a twist on a classic figure, like a female Napoleon? Has your main character traveled back in time to the Wild West, or been reincarnated as a Chinese empress? The Historical Fiction award is for stories that make us feel like we are breathing the (accurate) air of a distant time. Think The Book Thief, The Song of Achilles, and Memoirs of a Geisha. If your story fits here, give us a history lesson! Historical Fiction

Horror This award is for the fear-seekers – the writers who show us the best takes on our worst nightmares. Whether it’s about a serial killer on the loose, an evil undead clown, or a brilliant cannibal, the Horror award celebrates stories that bring all the thrills and chills. These stories are so insidious as to make us question our own realities. Feeding on our deepest terrors, these stories join the likes of The Silence of the Lambs, IT, and Get Out. Horror

Literary Fiction This award recognizes the writers who artfully weave language and navigate prose with style – the ones who put character over plot. The Literary Fiction award recognizes contemporary stories that focus on various life issues in a profound and moving tone. Literary fiction tends to be slower in pace from traditional commercial fiction, and tackles difficult issues, like immigration, racial inequality and gender identity. We’re looking for enlightening narratives like The Road, Less, and Exit West. Literary Fiction

Mystery & Thriller This award honours the writers who keep us on the edge of our seats and glued to our screens. Whether we’re solving a crime, or racing against the clock to stop one from happening, the Mystery & Thriller award considers stories with intricate plots, high stakes, or lots of suspense. Writing something like Gone Girl, The Widow, or The Hound of the Baskervilles? We’re hot on the trail for stories that bring out our inner detective. Mystery & Thriller

Paranormal This award showcases writers who unearth the unknown. Whether it’s the mysteries that go bump in the night or creatures you want to bump in the night, the Paranormal award celebrates stories that explore what lies beyond the veil. These stories are set in the real world, they’re about unexplainable transformations and creatures, like vampires, werewolves, angels, demons, ghosts and psychics. We are looking for writers who craft monsters in stories like The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, or Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Paranormal

Romance This award celebrates the swoon-worthy storytellers – the ones who tug on our heartstrings and demand our emotional investment. These adult stories focus on adult characters and themes, with a modern real-world setting, all while showing us the highs and lows of falling in love. From passionate sexy cowboys and steamy rendezvous with a billionaire, to office love affairs and squee-worthy soulmates, the Romance award goes to those stories with love and relationships at their heart. Think you have what it takes to be the next Jasmine Guillory, Christina Lauren, or Sally Thorne? If so, make sure your contemporary romance depicts a central love story with a compelling couple and an emotionally evocative resolution. Romance

Science Fiction This award goes to the forward-thinkers – the writers who evoke a sense of wonder, unravel new realities, and send us shooting into the void. The Science Fiction award recognizes stories that center around science and technology. Like Star Trek, Fahrenheit 451, or The Fifth Season, sci-fi stories challenge us to think big and different about the world we live in. Whether you’re writing a space opera set in a galaxy far away, a near-future dystopia, or an alternate history, your storytelling transports us to the worlds that could be. Science Fiction