Open discussion: what do Wattpad readers think of self-published books?
I've been writing and posting my work on here since 2019. I had one story reach the Watty's long list, before the Watty's rules changed and stories had to be completed to be entered. I was here in the golden age of the forums, which have since been discontinued. While I understand why the decision was made, I get the sense that a lot of writers have become discouraged because it's become that much harder to get their work discovered.
Suffice to say, I've seen a lot of changes on Wattpad. Outside articles say the readership on here is becoming slim, but every other platform I've explored just doesn't have the same interface or there's little to no option to offer your work for free. And I already get the sense on Wattpad that the paid story system has its ups and downs. It supports writers; but can frustrate readers.
So I land on self-publishing. Not saying Rhapsody is headed down that road, but in exploring a potential future as a writer, I have to consider my options.
Open forum here. No judgment at all. How are you, as readers, liking the coin system? Do you mostly come on Wattpad to read free stories? How do you feel when you come across a story on Wattpad and fall in love with the preview, only to discover you have to go to a different platform or purchase the entire book to finish reading? What do you think of Wattpad writers who decide to take down their work to self-publish? How do you feel, in general, about self-published books?
Just curious!