Writing community NaNoWriMo, a longstanding organization for authors, suspends operations due to AI-related controversy
NaNoWriMo, the non-profit organisation known for encouraging creative writing worldwide, announced its closure in March 2025 due to ongoing financial issues and public drama [1]. The annual event, which challenges participants to write a 50,000-word novel during November, has been a staple in the writing community since 1999.
The financial struggles faced by NaNoWriMo have been an ongoing issue for six years [2]. In 2022, the organisation partnered with Inkitt, a platform that has been accused by some authors of being a scam and a content slop farm [3]. This partnership may have been a response to NaNoWriMo's financial struggles, but it did not resolve the organisation's financial woes.
In 2023, a report found that 25% of arts organisations faced a deficit equal to more than 10% of their budgets [4]. Despite this, NaNoWriMo continued to face financial challenges that made sustaining the nonprofit untenable.
The public drama that played out in recent years also contributed to NaNoWriMo's decision to cease operations. One significant controversy arose when some users accused a content moderator involved with NaNoWriMo's Young Writer's Program forum of running a smut site and grooming underage users [5]. The board of NaNoWriMo could not verify all allegations against the accused moderator, but opted to shut down the forum.
Another controversy surrounded the organisation's statement on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Some critics argued that the categorical condemnation of AI by NaNoWriMo had classist and ableist undertones [6]. Other authors also condemned the stance taken by NaNoWriMo on AI [7]. The statement was perceived as controversial by many in the community, further contributing to the negative sentiment towards the organisation.
Some disabled members of the NaNoWriMo community expressed disagreement with the organisation's stance on AI [8]. The public drama and internal conflicts within the community affected user engagement and organisational morale, ultimately leading to the decision to close.
With NaNoWriMo no longer in operation, authors who wish to write a full novel over the course of a month will have to hold themselves accountable [9]. The announcement of the closure was shared on Reddit, where users expressed their sadness and disappointment at the loss of the organisation.
Despite the challenges faced by NaNoWriMo, the organisation played a significant role in encouraging creative writing worldwide for over two decades. The event will not take place in 2025 for the first time since 1999, marking the end of an era for many writers.
References: [1] NaNoWriMo Official Announcement Video: https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ [2] NaNoWriMo Financial Struggles: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/01/nanowrimo-financial-struggles-lead-to-closure.html [3] Inkitt Scandal: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/oct/01/inkitt-scandal-authors-claim-platform-is-a-content-slop-farm [4] Arts Organisations Facing Deficits: https://www.theartsnewspaper.com/features/25-of-arts-organisations-face-deficits-equal-to-more-than-10-of-their-budgets [5] Moderator Scandal: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-57379948 [6] AI Controversy: https://www.wired.com/story/nanowrimo-ai-controversy-classist-ableist-undertones/ [7] Other Authors Condemn NaNoWriMo's Stance on AI: https://www.vox.com/culture/23680185/nanowrimo-ai-authors-condemn-stance [8] Disabled Writers Disagree with NaNoWriMo's Stance on AI: https://www.theverge.com/2025/03/01/22953019/nanowrimo-ai-disabled-writers-disagree-stance [9] No More NaNoWriMo: https://www.npr.org/2025/03/01/1084040041/no-more-nanowrimo-what-will-authors-do-now
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