Until this year, writers have always associated November with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), a global writing event where authors joined and attempted to write 50,000 words in 30 days (or 1667 words/day). For many, this meant finishing a rough draft of a novel, or at least a good portion of one. For others, it might be a selection of poetry, or a handful of short stories.
NaNoWriMo started in the San Francisco Bay area in July of 1999 with a small group of only twenty-one writers. It soon became a free November event, gathering more interest with each passing year. By 2015, this global event saw writers from more than one hundred countries and nearly half a million participants.
NaNoWriMo established a contest format, where to win, one must complete the 50,000 words between November 1st and November 30th. But winning didn’t involve actual prizes, other than the printable certificates offered on the official website. The real win was sitting down daily and maintaining a steady wordcount toward the 50,000 word goal. The site also offered forums and author pep talks.
In March of 2025, this non profit organization closed, leaving writers who used this forum without their annual boost. But thankfully, other organizations have stepped up, and November is still the novel writing month it has been for over three decades.
REPLACEMENTS FOR NANOWRIMO
ProWriting Aid’s November November
Like NaNoWriMo, it’s free to enter, runs for the thirty days of November, and has online badges.
Reedsy’s Novel Sprint
Also free, and also a month long challenge to write 50,000 words. This challenge offers cash prizes and connections to agents.
AutoCrit Novel 90
This challenge runs from October 1st to December 31st and is free to join. Participants choose which team they will belong to: Planner/Pantser/Plantser. Team leaders provide coaching and guidance.
Word Anvil’s NovelEmber
This is another 50,000 word challenge or choose to become a “rebel” and customize your own goals.
The Challenge of the Written Word (join via their Discord server)
This one has three different challenges to choose from:
1. The Novelist’s Initiation: 30,000 words
2. The Trials of Verse & Vignette: 15 poems or 8 short stories
3. The Refinement Ritual: revise an existing manuscript
Also, on Discord, there’s a community called Book or Bust where members offer to support to one another to finish their book within a specific time period.
Are you planning to participate in a writing challenge this month? Let me know which one.