24 Books that Won NaNoWriMo
With National Novel Writing Month starting on November 1, you might be feeling a combination of Rocky-esque determination and sweaty nervousness. After all, this is the month where established authors and aspiring writers alike from all over the world take the challenge to buckle down and pen a full-length novel. Whether you're a rookie or a veteran, participation is no ordinary feat. The goal is roughly 1,667 words per day, 11,669 words per week, with the grand total of 50,000 words due by November 30.
No pressure.
But before you sharpen your pencils, fire up your computer, draft up your outline, or play The Final Countdown, get inspired with these 24 books that can trace their roots back to NaNoWriMo projects. Not only did books including The Night Circus, Water for Elephants, and Fangirl reach the finish line, they reached the pinnacle—publication.
Who knows? Maybe your NaNoWriMo book could wind up on this list someday. Which ones do you recommend? Let us know in the comments!
No pressure.
But before you sharpen your pencils, fire up your computer, draft up your outline, or play The Final Countdown, get inspired with these 24 books that can trace their roots back to NaNoWriMo projects. Not only did books including The Night Circus, Water for Elephants, and Fangirl reach the finish line, they reached the pinnacle—publication.
Who knows? Maybe your NaNoWriMo book could wind up on this list someday. Which ones do you recommend? Let us know in the comments!
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Comments Showing 1-50 of 54 (54 new)
message 1:
by
leo
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Oct 25, 2017 07:40AM

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I'm also sincerely impressed how many NaNo books have made it to publication (because I'm sure there are more).

It is not a competition, no, but it is a challenge, and therefore completing the challenge is referred to as winning. Even the NaNoWriMo site refers to reaching the word count goal as winning.
Words can have multiple meanings, and winning refers to more than just a competition. So, I don't think the use of winning in this case is deceitful at all.
Oh, and I am an 11 time winner of NaNoWriMo, going for my 12th win next month.

I understand what you are saying. I won, but it really doesn't mean anything and with 50 books in 5 years, almost all of my books could have easily be in the contest to finish the story in 30 days. I quit joining because I really got nothing out of the whole thing.

It's slang. To finish a Nanowrimo novel within a month is called "winning;" that's established Nano-slang. It's not deceitful any more than saying "my outfit is totally sick today!" even though my outfit suffers from no illness.

Barbara, take part in NaNoWriMo.
Once you reach the word goal in your novel, only then will you understand why writers beam with pride and say, "I won NaNoWriMo."
You may not realise but there are prizes and exclusive deals for NaNoWriMo winners. Last time I participated, I remember one of the prizes was to receive a free paperback copy of your NaNo novel.
So the Youtuber you were following didn't lie to you - they completed a challenge and received prizes for it. They won NaNoWriMo.


The term 'winning' might sound like more than it is to many people when they find out how you win, but it is a challenge you pass or don't and you get prizes/rewards for completing it. People compete against each other and the clock - plenty of sports like that where people win. Not to mention the fact you've written 50,000 words in 30 days! Some of us find that easy, some of us find that hard. The purpose of the blog post - I believe - is to remind emerging and aspiring writers that they can make it if they try and that Nano is a great motivator and starting point.


I'm also sincerely impressed how ..."
IT'S THE BEEEEEST!! I'm so excited for Renegades! O:

I'm also sincerely impressed how ..."
Not only was TLC's first 3 books written for NaNo, but the series began as Sailor Moon fanfiction. :) Marissa's a huge fan.



Oh God be quiet.

I want to, but I am totally stumped this year. :/

I think you're being pretty judgmental in calling them deceitful. They are not lying just because you didn't personally understand how NaNoWriMo works.

I want to, but I am..."
I know the feeling. It might be fun to do something stream of consciousness and just see how it evolves? Or find a folk tale/myth and make an adaptation?

I think it was the first draft, and not the final text, that was written during NanoWriMo.

I think I have to agree with other people, that you not understanding NaNo and CLEARLY not being a writer yourself, kind of makes your "they're deceitful" point fall flat. Your ignorance of the process doesn't mean they're lying. Thousands of people win, yes, and write 50,000 words in the timeframe, but every year thousands of people LOSE, too, by not meeting that goal.
Also, the point isn't "winning" and the winner's perks (which you do get if you succeed). It's a CHARITY DRIVE.

I wan..."
Yeah I was thinking of just writing and seeing what comes out first. I have along weekend so its on the to do list! :P also I messaged you lol.




Ida by Alison Evans is another novel that came out of our region. Matthew Lang, Cecil Wilde, I want to say Amie Kaufman is or was one of ours, um... I know there's more but I actually just got home from hosting our Kick-Off Picnic and I'm so tired, but other Melbourne Wrimos might know!

People start and finish. That is winning. It's awesome. Naysayers need to understand this is and epic personal struggle for many. We live in a society where people routinely suppress personal dreams because some other somebody wants to piddle all over whether or not they deserve to use the word "won". If I go ahead and write 50,000 words this November IN SPITE OF some person who has already decided my effort is probably worthless because the joy of the experience has no value if its not published, I HAVE WON!!! Nobody likes a spoil sport. It doesn't make you superior to walk up to the laughing kid in the swing and knock them down into the sawdust because you have decided that people can't fly so they shouldn't enjoy swingsets. Boo! Hiss!

I don't get it. Are you saying that they were written as Nanowrimo projects?

I have been a little stumped lately, too. I'm hoping NaNoWriMo will get me going.
Good luck!


If you really think she wrote the whole thing in a month, you have no understanding of what goes into writing a book.

SAME!!

Firmly disagree here. You're widely considered to have "won" NaNoWriMo by hitting your 50,000 word target. On the site itself, you're called a winner, giving you a Year X Winner badge, for any years you finish. Yes, it's an honour based system, but that doesn't make it any less real, or indeed the use of the word deceitful.

