Valerie thought this summer would be like every other. Quiet, lonely, and safely hidden behind the walls she'd built around herself. Living with a rare skin condition had taught her one thing: staying invisible was easier than being seen. Then Allyson moved in next door. Confident, beautiful, and impossible to ignore, Allyson was everything Valerie wasn't, and everything Valerie never knew she needed. Determined to pull Valerie out of the shadows, Allyson slowly begins changing her world in ways Valerie never expected. As friendships deepen, hearts collide, and painful secrets begin to surface, this summer becomes more than just a season of change, it becomes the start of something unforgettable. A summer of healing. A summer of first love. A summer that would change everything. The Summer It All Began.

The 2026 Watty Awards celebrate Wattpad's storytellers and the readers who champion them. Whether you're aiming for a Grand Prize win or looking to join a reading event, this guide is your essential toolkit for success.

The Open Novella Contest is back for 2026! Join fellow storytellers and plant the seed of a tale that will blossom into a 20,000+ word novella within 12 weeks! Your epic quest begins February 1st, 2026, so mark your calendars with this date!