Writer of One Direction fan fiction lands major six-book deal

A 25-year-old One Direction devotee from Texas has landed a six-figure book deal for her popular fan fiction tale about the band.

Publishers at Simon & Schuster imprint Gallery Books have acquired the rights to Anna Todd's steamy story After, which has become a phenomena among fans of the boy band on digital self-publishing website Wattpad for over a year.

The tale follows the romance of a punk version of One Direction star Harry Styles and a college student called Tessa.

Todd uploaded the story in daily instalments on Wattpad, where it became an instant hit.

After has been read over 800 million times and it became the site's most-shared story in 2013.

Gallery Books bosses hope to publish a reworked version of After in November (14).

Meanwhile, film experts at United Talent Agency are also shopping the movie rights.