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Writer's pictureNora Curry

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)



Have a story that's just itching to get out, but you don't know where to start? Not quite ready to go it alone? The time for you is now, then, because November is National Novel Writing Month! Known for short as NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month has been celebrated each November since 1999 as a way of lighting the fire under writers of all ages to get a novel of any shade or stripe written (in some shape or form) in thirty days and to bring together the support of a writing community for collective inspiration. The official goal is to write 50,000 words toward that novel, but writing of any kind and to any extent can be embraced during these thirty days. It can be daunting to feel a creative energy burning but not have the focus, time, or energy to devote to a masterpiece, but fear not! Did you know that Erin Morgenstern's beloved debut The Night Circus was written as a draft one year for NaNoWriMo? Or Rainbow Rowell's young adult success Fangirl? While many libraries and bookstores often host write-ins during this month, a lot of communities have also become virtual over the years, especially during the pandemic, making them accessible to many. If you're looking for inspiration, though, we have it in abundance. Check out the reading list below for writing resources (including guides, tips, and handbooks), writers writing on their craft, novels about novelists, and successful novels written during NaNoWriMo. Then see where the writing spirit moves you! The shelves of libraries don't get filled without people trying their pen to the page. If you're feeling the weight of writer's block or just feeling timid, get reading (and writing!) below. Click on links to request or read more about each book in our catalog.


Novels Written (or begun) During NaNoWriMo

With the Fire on High, Elizabeth Acevedo

Water for Elephants, Sarah Gruen

The Wedding Date, Jasmine Guillory

Wool, High Howey

Cinder, Marissa Meyer

The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern

Side Effects May Vary, Julie Murphy

Trail of Lightning, Rebecca Roanhorse

Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell


Novels Featuring Novelists (who are trying to write the darn things)

Little Women, Louisa May Alcott

No Words, Meg Cabot

Once Upon a Wardrobe, Patti Callahan

Beach Read, Emily Henry

Dear Mr. M, Herman Koch

Misery, Stephen King

The Plot, Jean Hanff Korelitz

10:04, Ben Lerner

The Thirteenth Tale, Diane Setterfield

Blinding Light, Paul Theroux


Writing Resources (and writers on their craft)

Characters and Viewpoint, Orson Scott Card

Wired for Story, Lisa Cron

The Writing Life, Annie Dillard

Conversations on Writing, Ursula K. LeGuin

Book Publishing 101, Martha Maeda

Elements of Fiction, Walter Mosley

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