November writing challenges: 7 free events in 2025

Some authors already know they love a goal with some group accountability, and November writing challenges can be the perfect thing.

I hear others talking about how maybe a writing month might be a nice thing to test out – and still others prefer a challenge that has more flexibility and sustainability for where they’re at, like project edits or batching marketing materials. (If that’s you, check out the first challenge.)

Wherever you find yourself, here’s a list of some writer challenges specifically happening in November (plus a gamified website at the end that might help if you need to get unstuck!).

Note that I’ve pulled what information I could see from each main site’s info, so if I’ve missed anything feel free to contact me and I’ll edit!

Heart Breathings (Sarra Cannon): PrepTober and Rough Draft Challenge

• Challenge: words (starting at 10,000) OR set your own goal, 30 days
• Type: new words OR other creative project or habit
• Extras: printable planner resources, video helps, writing sprints
• Submissions: n/a
• Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/hbwritingcommunity
• Website: simple sign up here; planner downloads here; YouTube information video for 2025 here

Sarra Cannon’s Rough Draft Challenge was the reason I thought we needed this roundup post!

I really love how much Sarra wants people to succeed at what THEY need. The Rough Draft Challenge can either be accountability for new words (10K, 25K, 50K, 100K+), OR it can be something you choose (the “Diamond” goal): edits, academic project, marketing or social media content, whatever. You get to pick.

For Rough Draft Challenge info, Facebook seems to be the best group roundup, with a lot of other information centered around YouTube.

Successful Indie Author (Craig Martelle): No Excuses November (“NoNo”)

• Challenge: your goal word count, 30 days
• Type: new original content
• Extras: countdown timers, community support
• Submissions: n/a
• Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/successfulindieauthor
• Website: sia-writingchallenge.com; Craig’s Substack: successfulindieauthor.substack.com

Each person in Craig Martelle’s No Excuses November tracks their daily word count individually on the Writing Challenge website, and participants’ total combined words will be displayed. I appreciate that Craig’s outlook is a solid mix of, yes, challenge yourself, but also, take care of what YOU need.

I did notice that community names are publicly visible (under the Community tab on their site). This could be beneficial visibility if you want to let people know what you’re doing, but keep this in mind if you would prefer to be more anonymous (and choose a public dashboard name accordingly).

AutoCrit: Novel 90 (fall edition)

• Challenge: 50,000 words, 90 days
• Type: new original content
• Extras: “Basecamp” with support materials; pathways based on strengths/preferences
• Submissions: may submit finished work for grand prize
• Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/AutoCritAuthorCommunity
• Website: autocrit.com/writing-challenges, YouTube: youtube.com/c/autocritediting

This round of AutoCrit’s Novel 90 began October 1 and will finish December 31, 2025, but signups are still open if you want to join. They have Planner, Pantser, and Plantser goals and helps, with weekly live videos and Q&A sessions. Membership available but not required for this challenge.

Rogue Writers: Rogue’s Amazing Word Rush (RAWR)

• Challenge: words (25,000 and up) or custom goal; 30, 31, or 60 days
• Type: new original content OR custom target
• Extras: progress badges, certificates, plus more
• Submissions: n/a
• Facebook page (not group): facebook.com/roguewritersnetwork
• Website: roguewriters.net/rawr

The Rogue’s Amazing Word Rush is nearly halfway through their challenge timeframe, but you can still sign up for November with a 30 0r 31 day goal. They collect and report word counts through an app called TrackBear. Rogue Writers membership is not required for this challenge, but their Discord server is for members only.

Nano 2.0 (National Novel Writing Month – under new management)

• Challenge: your goal word count, 30 days
• Type: new original content
• Extras: worksheets, badges
• Submissions: n/a
• Facebook group: n/a
• Website: nano2.org

The organization that has been National Novel Writing Month lost a lot of trust in the past couple of years. One of the original founders, who has not been involved for the past ten years, has reinstated the effort as “NaNo 2.0.” (I personally see the pros and cons of keeping the old name vs. distancing yourself … so I know why some won’t go back to them, despite new management in 2025, but I wish them the best.)

One other note: A gamified jump-start in case you get stuck

If you’re somebody for whom games or mini-challenges are a motivator, check out 4thewords.com. If you can write 10 words in 10 minutes, you can “win” the daily challenge on the free tier. (Writing for me is more along the lines of “painfully scrape out the pumpkin seeds” than it is “turn on a tap,” so even I can beat this one!)

I believe you can type as long as you want after the challenges are up, and it will keep counting your words. Paid tiers have more challenges and I’m not sure what else because I just tried the free version.

Other timeframes besides November

Sarra Cannon runs her Rough Draft Challenge multiple times a year. I think being in her Facebook group and subscribing to her YouTube channel are the best places to keep track of her content.

Successful Indie Author’s six-month rotation adds May I Write a Novel (in May), so if two challenges a year seems about your speed, join their Facebook group or make a note to check their site or follow Craig’s Substack in April (and October, and April…).

AutoCrit hosts their Novel 90 on a quarterly basis.

What November writing challenges did I miss?

I’d love to know what else you’re doing! I’m posting this to my FB page and inside my Facebook group, so if you’re still a Facebook-er, come join the discussion. 🙂