After more than two decades of inspiring writers to craft novels in a single month, the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) organization has announced its closure. In a recent video and email to its community, the non-profit cited years of financial struggles as the reason behind the difficult decision. This news comes as a shock to many, particularly given NaNoWriMo’s significant impact on the writing world.
The organization, which began in 1999 with a mere 21 participants, grew to boast over 400,000 writers participating in its challenges in 2022. Its annual November writing challenge became a beloved tradition for countless aspiring authors, providing structure, community, and encouragement during the creative process. However, recent years have presented significant headwinds.
In 2023, NaNoWriMo faced considerable backlash for its handling of AI writing tools and allegations of child grooming against one of its moderators. This controversy, coupled with declining participation and fundraising, ultimately proved insurmountable for the organization’s financial stability. Interim executive director Kilby Blades detailed these challenges in the organization’s farewell video.
While the official NaNoWriMo challenges will cease, the organization assures its community that the website will remain online for as long as possible. The email to members acknowledges the significant loss this represents for the writing community, expressing hope for a positive future despite the closure. The message highlights that the decision wasn’t easy and was made after exhausting all other options.
For writers who valued the NaNoWriMo structure and community, the closure undoubtedly marks a significant change. However, the spirit of the challenge—the ambition to write a novel in a month—lives on. Writers can continue to set their own November writing goals, and numerous alternative writing communities and challenges are available online for those seeking a similar supportive environment.
