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And Finally Artist News
One Direction fanfic writer strikes publishing deal
By Aly Barchi | Published on Thursday 5 June 2014
A lady named Anna Todd, writer of web-only One Direction ‘fanfic’ (that’s ‘fan fiction’, for those with lives to live) has signed off on a six-digit deal with Simon & Schuster to print her ‘After’ stories worldwide. The first edition is expected later this year, albeit with Harry, Zayn, Niall et al appearing under different names to swerve any legal complications. Too bad.
Written in brief chapters – of which 293 are online so far, via free-viewing site Wattpad, attracting 800m ‘reads’ – the ‘After’ series is set six years ‘After’ (get it?) an imaginary One Direction split.
All five 1D boys feature in the narrative, as do a girl who falls in love with Harry called Tessa Young, “Liam Payne’s adopted sister” Leela, and a character based on Liam Payne’s real-life ex Danielle (Peazer). And FAO girls, Harry is still “single but ready to mingle”.
The stories contain, warns Todd, “detailed sexual scenes”, “tons of explicit language” and “loads and loads of typos”, so aren’t quite suitable for most of One Direction’s pre-teen fanbase, or indeed fans of spelling.
Aaaaanyway, to cut a long and silly story short, Publisher’s Weekly reports Todd’s deal with Simon & Schuster is worth in the ballpark of “mid-six-figures”, and incorporates audio rights. Todd has, she claims, made it so ‘After’ will still remain free to read on Wattpad, even in light of the new agreement. ISN’T THIS EXCITING, DIRECTIONERS?