NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) began in 1999 as a simple creative challenge: write 50,000 words in November. While it started with good intentions and offers some benefits—like building community among writers and providing structure for creative projects—the initiative has significant drawbacks, especially since becoming a formal nonprofit in 2006.
This episode explores some of the major downsides that have come up since then.
1. The Challenge's Structure:
- The 50,000-word goal is arbitrary and emphasizes quantity over quality
- Encourages unsustainable writing habits and potentially harmful sacrifices
- Often results in directionless "pantsing" rather than thoughtful storytelling
- Provides only temporary satisfaction without building lasting writing habits
2. Organizational Leadership Issues:
- Serious safeguarding failures, including a scandal involving a forum moderator using the Young Writers' Program to expose minors to adult content
- Slow response to abuse allegations until FBI involvement
- Poor vetting processes for volunteer leaders
3. Questionable Business Practices:
- Partnerships with controversial companies like Inkitt, a potential vanity press
- Unclear stance on AI in writing, using social justice language to avoid taking a clear position
- Rapid, poorly managed growth leading to oversight problems
Ultimately, I conclude that while NaNoWriMo's community-building aspect has value, writers would be better served by smaller, more focused writing communities that promote sustainable habits and craft development rather than arbitrary word-count goals.

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