Elizaveta Poliakova

The prospects of Wattpad: Virtual library of the future or a publisher’s submission site?

Introduction

The prospects of wattpad: virtual library of the future or a publisher’s submission site?. Explore Wattpad's prospects as a virtual library or publisher's submission site. This study analyzes its design, user values, and alignment with traditional publishing, not disruption.

Abstract

The popularization of the internet has enabled the creation of a number of online publishing outlets. Peer-to-peer platforms allow readers and writers to interact with each other, seemingly eliminating the need for traditional gatekeepers in the form of the editor and publisher. These platforms, however, have been credited with the disturbance of the publishing ecosystem. One popular peer-to-peer site is Wattpad. Conversely, as discussed in this paper, the creators of Wattpad do not want to disrupt the traditional publishing infrastructure but become a part of it. The study analyzes the values incorporated in the design of Wattpad’s website and the mobile app through utilizing the walk-through method of data collection. The researcher outlines how a writer-user and reader-user could potentially be prompted to utilize the platform by analyzing the vision, operating model, and governance of the platform. The study discusses that there are hierarchies at play with the writer-user valued to a greater extent as an individual than the reader-user who is seen by the company as a currency that can be bought and sold. The paper concludes that Wattpad does not want to disrupt the publishing ecosystem because the values incorporated in the design of the platform are similar to the values of traditional publishers. Keywords: publishing industry, self-publishing, online publishing, Wattpad, peer-to-peer platforms, values in design, online users

Review

The paper "The prospects of Wattpad: Virtual library of the future or a publisher’s submission site?" tackles a highly relevant and timely topic concerning the evolving landscape of the publishing industry in the digital age. It posits a critical question regarding the role of popular peer-to-peer online platforms like Wattpad: do they genuinely disrupt the traditional publishing ecosystem, or do they ultimately seek integration within it? Through a thorough walk-through method applied to Wattpad's website and mobile application design, the study compellingly argues that despite its appearance as a democratizing force, Wattpad's underlying values and strategic intentions align closely with those of established publishers, aiming for co-optation rather than fundamental change. A significant strength of this research lies in its detailed analysis of Wattpad's vision, operating model, and governance, which collectively reveal how the platform strategically prompts user engagement. The paper insightfully delineates the differential valuation of its user base, highlighting that writer-users are accorded greater individual value, while reader-users are primarily perceived as a commodifiable "currency" that can be bought and sold. This distinction is crucial for understanding the platform's commercial ambitions and its ultimate desire to become an integrated component of the existing publishing infrastructure rather than its challenger. The examination of these embedded values in design provides a robust foundation for the paper's central conclusion regarding Wattpad's non-disruptive aspirations. While the paper effectively demonstrates Wattpad's alignment with traditional publishing values, future research could fruitfully explore the *implications* of this alignment for both writers and readers, particularly regarding issues of intellectual property, compensation, and editorial control within such a 'hybrid' model. Furthermore, a deeper dive into how this perceived value differential (writer as individual, reader as currency) translates into actual user experience and platform policies would enhance the study's practical relevance. Despite these potential avenues for expansion, this paper offers a valuable and well-argued contribution to the literature on online publishing platforms, self-publishing, and the intricate dynamics of power and value within the contemporary media landscape, providing a nuanced perspective on platforms often superficially viewed as purely democratic.

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