Write or edit your novel in a month, with company.

Novel Quest is a free challenge. Set a goal (50,000 words, 50 hours of editing, or a mix), pick your month, and work toward it alongside other writers on Zoom, YouTube, Discord and at local write-ins.

Doing it in October or November? Join the newsletter. Every week we email the Zoom links and local meeting times.

Get weekly event emails See how it works
Novel Quest logo: a book, a quill and an inkwell

How it works

There's no sign-up and no judging. You choose a goal, track it, and keep going.

  1. Pick your questJoin a hosted Novel Quest, or run your own with friends. Any month works.
  2. Set your goalWords written, hours edited, or both.
  3. Track your progressUse paper, the Writing Quests trackers, or whatever you like.
  4. Earn badgesCollect virtual badges at each completion milestone, and a certificate if you finish.

2026 events

Free workshops and dedicated writing time, run by volunteers at local libraries and online. Weekly emails during October and November have reminders and links.

Register for a workshop All event details

  1. Oct10

    Workshop: Welcome to the Novel Swamp

    1–3 PM CDT, Nichols Library co-working space. Hybrid: in person or online.

    Three approaches to planning your novel, whether you're a meticulous planner, a seat-of-your-pants writer, or somewhere in between. Bring paper and leave with a game plan.

  2. Oct17

    Workshop: Crafting dialogue that brings stories to life

    Hybrid: in person or online. Time and location on the events page.

    Hands-on exercises in beats, dialogue tags, just enough dialect, and saying more with less. Make your characters sound like themselves and keep readers listening.

  3. Oct24

    Workshop: Story Wall Party

    Hybrid: in person or online. Time and location on the events page.

    A big brainstorming session for half-baked ideas and stubborn plot holes. If you don't have a novel idea yet, you'll leave with several.

  4. Nov1

    Write-in at Nichols Library or google meet

    1:30–4:30 PM

  5. Nov8

    Write-in at Nichols Library or google meet

    1:30–4:30 PM

  6. Nov15

    Write-in at Nichols Library or google meet

    1:30–4:30 PM

Prep workshops are sponsored by the Nichols Library and the Writing Journey.

The weekly event email

One short email a week in October and November.

  • Zoom or google meet links and times for the week's write-ins
  • Local in-person meeting details
  • Workshop reminders and writing prompts

Free. Unsubscribe any time. Delivered through Substack.

Questions

What is Novel Quest?

A free, annual challenge for writers to finish a novel-writing or novel-editing goal in one month. Most people aim for 50,000 words in November, but you can choose a different month and a different goal.

It comes with free prep workshops, a community of writers, and dedicated writing time offered by volunteers in-person and on Zoom or google meet and Discord.

How do I track my progress?

Any way you like. The Writing Quests trackers are free, or use paper.

What do I get if I win?

Download and fill out the Novel Quest winner's certificate (2025 version).

How old do I need to be?

We recommend 15 and up, or 13 with parental supervision.

Can I host my own Novel Quest?

Yes. Anyone can, and you don't have to use the Writing Quests framework or tracker. Steps to follow:

  • Pick a month and a goal
  • Recruit participants or friends
  • Tell them how it works and how to track
  • Plan events: a prep workshop, kick-off, write-ins and a celebration
  • Send motivational messages and facilitate discussion about writing
  • Remember you're a volunteer. Do what you can and have fun too.
Can I use the Novel Quest materials?

Yes, within reason. See the Writing Quests click-through agreement. The framework and write-ups are available under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license. We haven't trademarked the name.

This sounds like National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

Novel Quest (and the Writing Quests framework) were developed by former NaNoWriMo Municipal Liaison volunteers who were inspired by Chris Baty's NaNoWriMo. There are some similarities, though Novel Quest explicitly allows/encourages writing, editing, or both during the selected month. Folks are welcome to visit Chris Baty's volunteer-led NaNo 2.0 site that provides pep talks, word sprints, newsletters, and a tracker for NaNoWriMo.

Writer's toolbox

Timers, prompt generators and write-in games from the community.

Writing Quests Novel Quest is built on the Writing Quests framework. Writing Quests newsletter