“We come to you today with sad news.”
Thus began the email sent on March 31, 2025, notifying writers that NaNoWriMo (“National Novel Writing Month”), the nonprofit behind a 30-day challenge to write 50k words in 30 days, is in the process of shutting down.
For the past two years, NaNoWriMo has wobbled on thin ice in the eyes of its writers. In 2023, a moderator of the Teen Forum was found to be grooming minors and luring them to an online “adult space” outside of NaNoWriMo.
One year later, NaNoWriMo advocated using AI to complete the 50k word challenge, triggering outrage in the literary community. (The original statement has been redacted from the site, though their response to the backlash still stands.)
However, NaNoWriMo’s official statement declares that “funding woes” and “financial crisis” are the cause of their shutting down.
It’s disappointing to see a company that has inspired countless writers and millions of words go out with such disgrace.
So, what does this mean for writers?
On the tails of the 2023 scandal, writers actively began a search for alternative forms of NaNoWriMo. No matter the drama, the idea was good: writers coming together from all over the world, in solidarity, to sit at their computers for thirty consecutive days–and bleed.
By 2024, writers made up their own rules.
Myself included.
Alternatives to nanowrimo
JaNoWriMo (“January Novel Writing Month”), inspired by NaNoWriMo, created by Rebekah Ackerman.
JaNoWriMo
✨ All vibezzz, no stressss
✨ Bring back the FUN of writing
✨ Share your progress, get encouragement, not guilt!
✨ Set ATTAINABLE goals (you’re in charge)
✨ Quality over quantity
All the cozy without the competition
JaNoWriMo was built with a caution against burnout–and a fear of turning what writers love into something they dread.
Not to mention, choosing January was so much better (January writers confined to their homes due to the cold, gray, boring weather–what else have they got to do?) as opposed to November, with its Christmas Tree browsing, Black Friday shopping, and DID I MENTION THANKSGIVING?
Gone was the strict word count. The idea that writers needed to “compete”. (Not to mention all controversy and scandal …)
Writers gobbled up the idea of JaNoWriMo. The month wasn’t about spreading writers thin and pushing them to their breaking point (unless, of course, the writer was into that sort of thing … we don’t judge).
Instead, the month cultivated a silly writing community, snapping photos of their “pet supervisors,” running writing sprints, and sharing tips. The cozy, no-pressure space fostered better productivity, less stress, no burn-out, and an “easy does it” approach to reaching writing goals.
If this sounds like something you like, stick around.
My name is Rebekah Ackerman, creator of JaNoWriMo, and this blog is an extension of that “all vibez,” no stress, nurturing-creativity atmosphere, and falling in LOVE with writing again. Or staying in love. Or nurturing your love.
Or just effing enjoying the crap out of your art.
You decide.
How do you feel about NaNoWriMo shutting down? Have you participated in NaNoWriMo in the past? Where do you think they went wrong?
And–what are your thoughts on JaNoWriMo?
Comment below.
Leave a Reply