Forums » Smalltalk » NaNoWriMo Shutting Down

As many RP enthusiasts are also authors in some capacity, I wondered how many folks were also surprised to hear that the organization behind one of the most prominent writing events of my formative years has announced that they're shutting down for good.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/apr/02/creative-writing-nanowrimo-to-close-after-20-years

The general consensus seems to be that they were already struggling financially (as non-profits are wont to do), but that there were also a ton of mishandled issues including misbehaving staff, but then also their open acceptance and promotion of AI generative text in writing that was the final nail in their coffin in a lot of writer's eyes.

It's unfortunate to hear. Especially in a time of plummeting literacy rates among both children and young adults.

Oh no I didn't hear about that. I always wanted to participate but life and stuff got in the way.

Yes, I did read about this. I only took part in NaNoWriMo its first few years (2005-2007). Sadly, the current state of affairs along with a general shift away from actual writing literacy and knowledge to AI-dependent texts has, shall we say, 'put the writing on the wall' of NaNoWriMo's demise. Another step in the 'dumbing-down' of the world.

Yeah I took up some issues with the way nano handled, like you said the AI. That's why I didn't participate this last year. On the website.

But I still wrote.

And I still think the spirit behind it is going to live on for some time.

Some friends and I that try to participate were talking about still trying to do it this year, anyway. Still pretty sad! Definitely a staple being ripped out.

I peeked over at Writing.Com's NaNoWriMo stuff, and apparently some of their participants had already been leaving behind the official site and tools and just using W.C's own. I guess that could still be one place to go if you want more of a community experience with the event. I admit I haven't been active on that site in years, but it's always seemed plenty friendly and encouraging. Not nearly as much comes with a free account there as here, though.