I haven’t seen anything about NaNoWriMo and just looked today. Did you guys see this?
That year, the organization posted to their website an entry titled “What is NaNoWriMo’s position on Artificial Intelligence (AI)?”, in which they deemed the use of AI to be acceptable and stated “the categorical condemnation of Artificial Intelligence has classist and ableist undertones”.[33] This stance generated controversy in the online community, with many on social media stating they were withdrawing support of or participation in the NaNoWriMo event.[34][30] Some noted that makers of AI writing tools, such as ProWritingAid, were now listed among the sponsors for the event. Author Daniel José Older resigned from NaNoWriMo’s Writers’ Board, and author Maureen Johnson from the Writers’ Board of the Young Writers Program in response to this statement.[35] NaNoWriMo also lost a sponsor, the writing collaboration platform Ellipsus, and The Mary Sue noted that FreeWrite had been removed from the sponsor page.[36]
In response to the controversy, NaNoWriMo stated that their “commentary on ableism and classism was relevant to the bullying dynamics we were seeing across our social channels”.[37] They further clarified that the original statement posted was not a complete representation of their stance on the topic. These subsequent statements failed to allay criticism.[38]
In 31 March 2025, director Kilby Blades published a YouTube video announcing the closure of the nonprofit, citing financial struggles and “community vitriol”.[13][8]
Yeah, it was a shame to see - I have happy memories of connecting with people around it. Still, there are alternatives and it would be fun to do a NaNo style support thread again this year regardless of all that!
No, I didnt notice as well. And I found insulting including Ai on Nano. It is like adding to an artisan contest a Blouse made by a robot.
I could understand that Ai generative had their own spaces and events. However Nanowrimo is all about the effort and fun of making an effort a literary marathon.
A machine can do 100k 200k in five minutes Where is the effort or skill or pasion on that?
I will make or joining here any group made because I believe in the spirit of the event.
The organization that runs it has had issues for several years, sadly. This was just the drop that caused the bucket to break! (Mixed metaphor, but you get the idea. )
I’ll have to do a December challenge this year. Focusing on getting marketing over and done with for my novel + school is killin’ me. I hope people are able to complete it though. Personally, if I manage it in December, I’ll have the first draft of my second book completed, which would be dope.
I only heard about it shortly ago but it seems the original creator (who withdrew a while back to get more writing time) of Nano is making a new thing literally cakled Nano 2.0.
Got that from a video and the fact that he wasn’t even really involved anymore from another.
Where I first heard about it (just for completeness): HERE.
The deep dive (has interviews and seems quite thorough): HERE.
First video is a writing youtube video/author youruber.
Second on is quite informative but of course in hindsight not everything is easily researched.
Warning that there’s mention of bullying, grooming and abuse in the video and that might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
It’s not overrt or graphical, just discussed but take care of yourself.
If there’s a theead I will probably lurk as usual but I used to love the energy of so many people writing together.
I wasn’t active on the forums and hadn’t visited the site after that AI announcement so I didn’t know they were gone.
Maybe something can be learned from this at least.
ETA: https://nanowrimo2.com/ has a list of resources too and archived pep talks and resources from the old Nanowrimo site as well as some links to more.
The FAQ on their new website talks a bit more about nanowrimo’s shutting down, as well, albeit from an outside perspective. I like that they are not asking for money–or even allowing people to send it to them. Seems like a good sign they will stick to the spirit of the original event!
Nano lost my respect as an organisation a while back. They might claim their stance on AI is anti-abelism, but let’s face it, it’s likely primarily because they think this is the best way to make money. Even my local group had a big falling out with them a couple of years ago and are no longer affiliated. (I think it was general organisational dramas, interpersonal dramas (including bullying, global mod issues) and lack of support from the organisation from memory. I’m only lightly affiliated with them but I know they rebranded as definitely not associated with Nano I think about 2 years back.)
I think it’s fine for people to do Nano if they want to, but the organisation itself has had some ongoing dramas.
It’s sad, but NaNo moved beyond the actual organization ages ago. The spirit of it remains. I’ve never done an ‘official’ one, but I’ve used it as a springboard for doing more writing in the past, like doing 25k words instead of my usual 10k monthly for Parenting, or hammering out 29 pages of my screenplay last year. I intend to do the same this year. I took October off after completing the screenplay, and I’m ready to start on a second one on 11/1. We’ll see how far we get.
Good luck to all who write, and to heck with a pack of moneymongers who tried to spoil their own creation!
I’ve never looked at NaNo as a company, anyway, but as an event. I didn’t even know there was an organization for the first several years, and the lack of one won’t slow me down from participating this year. However, I didn’t even notice how close November was until your post. Now I need to get ready.
Yep, the spirit is a good one . I’m glad that the writing month itself still exists! (Although I wish it wasn’t November. November is often one of my busiest months.)
I agree. It’s more about the vibe and comraderie. I knew of their business side, but it was the event, motivation, and encouragement that I was a part of. Although I still have my image declaring me a 2005 winner.
I hope you run it here again this year @poison_mara
I’ve been preparing and organizing for years. This Saturday, Nov 1, I hope to start my rough draft.
. I’m glad that the writing month itself still exists! (Although I wish it wasn’t November. November is often one of my busiest months.)
sad we didn’t get a spooky writing contest this year.