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.

One year ago, Elliot disappeared. When a strange flower spirited her to the Fae filled d'Oré Isles, Serena is dedicated to finding her twin and uncovering answers. But will the price be higher than she can pay? Will she be able to convince the King to help her in her quest? ── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── Welcome to my Open Novella Contest 2026 entry! Over the next 12 weeks, I'll be participating in the Open Novella Contest and writing novella of no more than 40,000 words. From this year's prompts, I've chosen Prompt 2: The first flower to bloom in spring isn't just a sign of the seasons changing. It's a portal. When you touch it, you're transported into a magical world you never knew existed. I look forward to creating a story for you. I'd love if you would support me and my novella by sharing, commenting, voting, adding it to your lists, and, of course, reading along! [Word Count: 22,325 (not including Author's Note)] ── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── Highest Rankings: ⟢ #2 in Pixie - 30 April 2026 ── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── Cover art created by myself on Canvas with Wattpad provided banners. Chapter art created on Pinterest - I own no part of that art. No part of this novella was created with AI. No part of this novella existed before 1 February 2026.

When Teia Cloto travels to Naples, Italy, hoping to steady a life already quietly unravelling, the last thing she needs is blind date that turns into an easy, unexpected friendship. Alden instantly makes the city feel strangely familiar in ways Teia didn't know she needed. Drawn deeper into Naples' ancient past and her own unsettling sense of déjà vu, the line between coincidence and destiny begin to blur. Staying friends is simpler. But Teia must confront whether destiny is a story we inherit, or one we choose to rewrite, no matter the cost. Water and Sand is a contemporary love story that reimagines the myth of Theseus and Ariadne, where love is a labyrinth and friendship feels like the safest way out. #ONC2026 contest. Story is complete. Prompt 24: Staying as friends is meant to be safe, but that doesn't mean it's the path you're meant to take; Prompt 28: Self-love often starts small, like planting a seed. With time, patience, and a bit of light, it will grow; and Prompt 29: You meet many people in your life. Many will come and go, but some will leave footprints on your heart.

Gabriella, betrayed by her family, has finally decided to leave them behind in Italy and follow her dreams of studying in England for a year abroad. She arrives and is captivated by the blonde, nice guy Rory who is always happy to help. Before she can unpack her suitcase he takes her out with his friends to a trendy theatre night. There she sees Elliot, the well-spoken and striking looking actor and they immediately connect. But Elliot is also Rory's best friend... Scents Of Clementine tells the story of a girl in a new country trying to leave her past behind while being swept off her feet by two charming Englishmen. WARNING THIS STORY CONTAINS: mature/sexual content; explicit language; family dispute; alcohol and drug consumption.

Twenty-five-year old Gunner Shaw is a drug addict, and his girlfriend is hopelessly drowning in the sorrow of raising their daughter without his support. From one high to the next, and from one job to the next, it can only be so long until one of them caves. As the New Year peaks over the horizon, stages of withdrawal rise, old habits resurface, and dangerous feelings begin to shadow everything they've known. The chances of redemption start fading away with each passing day, leaving them with choices that ultimately change their definition of home and the fight for family.

The Muse

In dedication to a boy with a purple pen: In therapy, they give me free cookies. A trickster's exchange of gluttony for my soul. They taste delicious. *** Qualified for 2 Rounds of ONC - I did NOT submit for the third/final round. I've opted to flesh this out for the Watty's ;)

About Happiness

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!