Write Your Novel in November




Want to be inspired to write that novel you've been planning, but feel like you don't have the time? Trying to overcome a huge case of writer's block? Want to meet other writers? NaNoWriMo  or National Novel Writing Month is your chance.

Each year on Nov. 1 about half a million writers from all over the world converge on the internet and at local Write-In locations to work toward the goal of creating a 50,000 word novel by 11:59 PM on Nov. 30. That's a novel about the size of Catcher in the Rye.

Even as the Pandemic raged in 2020, NaNoWriMo had: 

 

  • 383,064 participants, including 97,439 students and educators in the Young Writers Program, started the month as auto mechanics, out-of-work actors, and middle school English teachers. They walked away novelists.
  • 906  volunteer Municipal Liaisons guided 671 regions on six continents.
  • 448  libraries, bookstores, and community centers opened their doors to novelists through the Come Write In program. (Down from 1200 due to Covid)
  • 71,832 Campers tackled a writing project—novel or not—at Camp NaNoWriMo.
  • In past surveys, 86% of respondents said that NaNoWriMo helped them learn what they can accomplish when determined. 89% of respondents said that NaNoWriMo made them more excited about writing and 87% of student participants in our Young Writers Program said that it made them more confident writers.
  • Hundreds of NaNoWriMo novels have been traditionally published. They include Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants, Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, Hugh Howey’s Wool, Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl, Jason Hough’s The Darwin Elevator, Marissa Meyer’s Cinder, Carrie Ryan's The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Elizabeth Acevedo's With the Fire on High, and Julie Murphy's Side Effects May Vary.
  • Each year, authors offer mentorship to our participants through pep talksPast author mentors have included Gene Luen Yang, Roxane Gay, John Green, N. K. Jemisin, Andy Weir, Veronica Roth, Ann Lamott, and Brandon Sanderson.

Become a Participant

To get started in NaNoWriMo, use this Step by Step Guide:
  1. Fill out a Profile so other writers with similar interests can find you.


  2. Brainstorm a story for your Novel with Flagstaff Writers Connection.
  3. Announce your Novel to the world. This will help you stay the course when things get tough.


  4. Plan the plot for your Novel with NaNoWriMo, or NaNo Prep or C. Alex Smith. Or don't. Pantsers welcome!
  5. Select Flagstaff AZ as you home region. 



    Each region has Liaisons who schedule meet and greets and writing sessions which usually take place at coffee houses or bookstores. Our incredible Liason is Lydia Gates.  You can talk to other Flagstaff authors participating in NaNoWriMo at Flagstaff Forum. These Write-In sessions encourage writers to collaborate and share ideas. If you’re not into the idea of writing in public, the NaNoWriMo website also has numerous message boards so you can talk to writers from all over the world.
  6. Come November, WRITE! And earn Badges for reaching milestones.
  7. Get help when you get stuck. The encouragement that you receive is unparalleled. The website even e-mails inspirational quotes and messages to your WriMo inbox daily.
  8. Update your word count until you get to 50,000 words or more.
  9. About 13% of participants "win" and get to 50,000 words. Claim your Win by pasting the full text of the novel into the NaNo word counter. Winners can also claim prizes. You can even get 20% off on Scrivener for winning!
  10. NaNoWriMo also hooks you up with people who can help you find out what to do with your novel once it’s been completed. FWC is also planning to start a series of revision workshops this Jan.
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Next Generation Indie Book Awards


Next Generation Indie Book Awards


The largest international awards program for indie authors and independent publishers.

Entry deadline: February 14, 2024 

but 
ENTER NOW - Early Bird Special by September 30, 2023 
and your second category selection is free!

  • Exposure to a leading New York literary agent for the top 80+ books
  • More than 80 Categories
  • Cash Prizes








1st place in fiction & non-fiction

$1,500 cash prize and trophy

2nd place in fiction & non-fiction

$750 cash prize and trophy

3rd place in fiction & non-fiction

$500 cash prize and trophy

Winner of each of the 80+ categories

$100 cash prize and gold medal

Up to five finalists in each of the 80+ categories

Finalist medal

Awakening the Creative Spirit

 


Learn and practice strategies to jumpstart your creative process, whether you are just starting out with artistic expression, experiencing art block, or want to rejuvenate your journey of self-development.

In CCC’s art studio, we will create mandalas, journey circles, and ensos as methods of calming, reflection, creative meditation, and self-definition. You will also learn techniques for centering and focusing to find and harness the flow in your creative process.

Register for $55

Every Wed from Jul 12 - 26th2023 

3:45 - 5:45 pm
@ Lone Tree Campus


Dr. Michelle Gray has over 40 years of experience in Expressive Arts and Coaching. She has used Depth Psychology and Mindful Living practices, both professionally and personally in her adult life. She has recently retired from her Psychology and Marriage and Family practices and is now focusing on bringing health and well-being coaching practices to those making transitions (retirement, kids launching, divorce, new career, new environs). Michelle is a member of the International Coaching Federation, which is the Gold Standard for Coaches.

AZ Authors Literary Contest

  

AZ Authors Association Literary Contest and Awards

***Entry Form***

Unpublished                                                                 Published                                                                              

Poems                                                                                                Fiction
Short Stories/Essays/Narrative                                                          Nonfiction
Novel, Novella                                                                                   Juvenile/Young Adult
                                                                                                          Childrens Picture Book
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One Grand Prize of $300

Three First Prizes of $150
Three Second Prizes of $75
Three Third Prizes of $50
Three Fourth Prizes of $25
Eight Best-of-Category Prizes

Unpublished Poetry and Short Story Best of Category will be 
Nominated for the Pushcart Prize

All winners will be featured in the 2024 Arizona Authors Literary MagazineSince it began in 1978, the Arizona Literary Magazine has launched the careers of many authors.


>>>DEADLINE: June 1, 2023<<< 

Northern AZ Book Festival

March 31-April 2 of 2023

Creating Effective Critique Groups Workshop

Sunday, April 2, 2023

11 to Noon

Flagstaff Coconino County Public Library 
300 West Aspen Avenue

A Panel Presentation/Q&A 
with 
Barbara Shovers and C. Alex Smith 
(FWC Co-Founders)
  • How to Form a Group
  • Group Models  & Guidelines

(928)779-6368 for more information

Book Fest Highlights:


Friday, March 31

3pm: Author Meet and Greet

Downtown  Flagstaff Public Library


Saturday, April 1

10am-5pm: Booths & Readings All Day!

Heritage Square


2pm: Spoken Word & Slam Poetry: Roundtable & Preformance

Downtown Flagstaff Public Library


3pm: Literary Editing & Publishing Panel featuring Local Presses

Liminal @ Flagstaff


3pm: Hands-on Bookmaking by Wasted Ink Zine Distro

Heritage Square


5pm: Literary Editing & Publishing Panel featuring Local Presses

Liminal @ Flagstaff


7pm: Sedona Poetry Slam featuring Mary D. Fisher

Theater, Sedona


7pm: Explore Translation

What is your relationship to the land you live on? Share a brief response to be added to a multilingual, community poem hosted by Thousand Languages Project. Responses collected by March 15th will be presented during the Explore Translation with Thousand Languages Panel. 

  Submit here.

  Luminal, Flagstaff


8:30pm: That Needs Work: Humor Writing 

Hosted by NAU MFA students

TBD

Sunday, April 2

        11am: Create Effective Critique Groups

Hosted by Flagstaff Writers Connection

Downtown Flagstaff Public Library







1pm: Youth Poetry Council

For Younger Writers (14-24 years)

Late for the Train, Flagstaff






Volunteer Opportunities