Wattpad, Hatchette to Bring Online Stories to Life with Audiobook Partnership

Wattpad wants to bring its community’s stories to life through audio starting this summer. The multi-platform global entertainment company is partnering with Hachette Book Group to accomplish this.

“Over the next year, Hachette Audio will produce 50 audiobooks based on Wattpad stories written by people from all over the world,” the company says. “Hachette Audiobooks: Powered by Wattpad will be available beginning summer 2017.”

Wattpad these days has been working with entertainment and publishing partners to co-produce stories for other formats including film, TV, digital, and print. Data suggests that downloadable audiobooks represent the fastest-growing format in the publishing industry.

“We love seeing the worlds and characters Wattpad storytellers create come to life in different ways,” said Head of Partnerships for Wattpad Studios Ashleigh Gardner. “Now, people will not only be able to read and watch Wattpad stories, but also listen to them.”

Audiobook titles in the initial launch will span all genres and will be sold digitally through major online retailers, including Bandcamp, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Downpour, and eStories. Physical audiobooks on CD will be made available to libraries and on-demand.

“We are equally excited to be working with Wattpad to amplify the audience and broaden the channels of discovery for their unique brand of storytelling via audiobook editions,” said Anthony Goff, SVP of Content Development and Audio Publisher at Hachette Book Group.

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