Breaking News

We are gathering testimonials from library staff members that have hosted NaNoWriMo or YWP events in their library. We're rolling out a library outreach program this fall, and your input will go a long way towards wooing the folks at these fine institutions.

If you’re able to contribute a short overview of your experience, please let us know by June 26, and we will get in touch with more information.

Thanks to everyone who sent in a photograph of your writing space! These snapshots of your writing lives are better than any of us here at headquarters could have ever imagined. Keep them coming!

Eleven minutes ‘til the weekend!

Lindsey

We broke ground this week on all kinds of exciting improvements to the site and store. Many thanks to our 2008 donors for bringing us ever-closer to achieving Drupal-programming perfection.

We are also working on perfecting our Blog!

In the spirit of Kyle Cassidy's Where I Write project, we're asking you to send in photos of yourself in your creative space. Send them in by June 19 with a short description of what makes your space so inspiring, and we'll post the submissions on the NaNoWriMo Blog throughout the summer.

Wondering if 'Drupaly' is an adjective,

Lindsey

It's been a time of great excitements over here in NaNoLand. The biggest news: Our Young Writers Program Director Tavia got married to her exceedingly handsome celebrity chef boyfriend John over the weekend. We all cried. And ate. Then cried some more because the food was so good and we'd eaten too much.

To celebrate Tavia's wedding, we're holding a crazy sale for the next two days on Script Frenzy items. Travel mugs for $10! Long-sleeve tees for $17! We'll also be picking an order from the next 48 hours at random and including a package of marsupial-themed chocolates I brought back with me from my sabbatical.

I'm not entirely sure what the sale has to do with Tavia's wedding, but I know there's a connection there somewhere.

Your friend,

Chris
NaNoWriMo

Hi Wrimos!

We at NaNoWriMo HQ received an email this morning informing us that NaNoWriMo.org has been named one of Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers! How cool is that?

I went to the site to see where exactly we were ranked; alas, the list is alphabetical, placing us at 45 of 101. (Too bad our name doesn't start with a double 'a,' eh?)

Nevertheless, we are wicked excited and honored to be grouped with such greats as Merriam-Webster (our favorite online dictionary!), MediaBistro (a personal fave from my grad school days) and Drew's Script-O-Rama (highly recommended over on Script Frenzy).

You can check out the article here, along with the complete list of best sites!

Going to visit all 101,

Lindsey

Hi Wrimos,

The issue with the forums has been resolved. Hooray! Thanks to Dan and Heather for their fast, efficient handiwork.

And there is more good news: I have already heard from two Wrimos who made it to the semifinals of the ABNA! If you made it to the next round too, email me!

Or, if you just have a great tale of triumph relating to NaNoWriMo, send it on in.

Nothing makes me happier in the off-season than hearing from you!

Going to check my inbox,
Lindsey

Hello Wrimos!

Many of you may have noticed that the NaNo forums are not updating. We're aware of the issue, and appreciate your patience as we work on the fix.

In other news, I have learned that there were even more ABNA quarterfinalists! The following NaNo-novelists also made it through:

stereotomy
mamavalerius
timeturner

Congratulations!

Off to wrestle a forums robot,
Lindsey

Hi Wrimos!

I am popping in from Frenzy Land to say 'hi' and share some good tidings.

We have heard from three Wrimos who made it to the quarterfinals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novelists Award contest. Three! Check out the Q&A on the homepage to learn more about their exciting journeys to the top.

We have also received our first 'yes' RSVP from a pep talker for NaNo 2009! She's been high on the list of popular votes for 2008 and 2009, and she wrote in this week to say she would contribute her encouragement and advice to you this very November! That is all I can say for now. The excitement and secrecy is positively agonizing.

Don't forget to suggest your favorite contemporary author for consideration!

Off to concoct a script plot that will equal (or best!) my NaNo-novel,

Lindsey

Hello Wrimos!

I hope you're having a banner off-season. While you're relaxing, think about the following:

• Who wants to relax anyway? Write a script in a month! Script Frenzy is right around the corner. The site has launched, and we're waiting for you to sign up!
• As you are sitting down to do your taxes, are you wishing you had more deductible donations? We can help! Come on over to the Donation Station and start collecting those tax deductions for 2010!
• When November does finally roll around, whose pep do you want to read? We're seeking published authors who will contribute their encouragement to your noveling journey. Drop by the Blog and add your two cents.

Hoping for Michael Chabon,
Lindsey

Hi Wrimos!

Rumor has it that there are quite a few Adobe employees among us. Would the Adobe employees please stand up?

Great!

Hello.

Of you fabulous and lucky people, does anyone have a copy of the Creative Suite for Windows lying around? And if so, would you be so kind as to donate it to your favorite nonprofit's Young Writers Program? We have some workbooks in need of the Dreamweaver treatment.

Drop us an email and let us know if you have some good news for us.

Here's hoping,
Lindsey

Chris is in the Big Apple this week at the Tools of Change Publishing Conference; when he returns, he's sure to have plenty to say about cabs, Twitter, and the superiority of NYC pizzerias to our Bay Area counterparts. I just hope he remembers to bring me a Statue of Liberty bobble head.

Good luck to all of you who submitted a manuscript to the Amazon Breakthrough Novelist Award contest! Please write in and let us know how it turns out. I have the highest hopes for a Wrimo win!

Fingers crossed,
Lindsey

ps: Edutopia published an awesome article about the YWP in its February 2009 issue—they even did a How To on getting kids to write a book! Great stuff.