I realize you don’t donate to National Novel Writing Month for all the “stuff” they send you in acknowledgment of your donation. You donate to NaNoWriMo because it’s a good cause.
But (and this is mostly just because I needed a topic to blog about today) I thought I would take a look back at all the “stuff” I was supposed to receive from NaNoWriMo in appreciation of the donation and see if it has all arrived…
- The 2013 NaNoWriMo Webinar Double Pack including both donor-only webinars from earlier this year, the Book Doctors’ “Make Editing Fun: How to Enjoy Revision” and Guy Kawasaki’s “The Art of Artisanal Publishing”
I don’t have any idea if I received this or not. I probably did, in the form of some email with links to these webinars, although, I don’t remember receiving anything like that…
- A coupon good for pie with NaNoWriMo Director of Programs Chris Angotti and Executive Director Grant Faulkner. You have to come to Berkeley to redeem it, but come on—this is good pie. Also, the coupon is fully transferable!
I received this, along with a hand-written card from Grant. Since I doubt I will be in Berkeley, CA prior to the coupon’s expiration date of 12/31/2015, and since this coupon is transferable, the first WriMo who contacts me through the NaNoWriMo site with their California mailing address can have it…
- An option to have your novel featured online in NaNoWriMo’s Mighty Catalyst Bookstore.
I received this. In fact, they were kind enough to allow me to feature two of my previous books on this bookstore, so I submitted Self-Publishing Simplified and Sell Your Book on Amazon.
- A year-long print and digital subscription to The Sun, a unique monthly magazine of essays, interviews, short stories, poems, and photographs. Writing from The Sun has won the Pushcart Prize, been featured on National Public Radio, and appeared in Best American Essays and Best American Short Stories!
It’s probably too soon to know if I received this or not, but I hope I don’t. I get enough stuff like this already.
- The 2014 “Boundless Novel” poster designed by Elizabeth Doyle
I received some sort of rolled up poster in the mail, so I assume it was this…
- A starry “Halo for Your Wrist”!
Yes, I received this in the mailing tube along with the poster. I think the dog already go to it.
- A “Novelist’s Little Helpers” sticker set, which includes three (3) 3” by 3” round stickers each instilled with a bit of writer-ly magic to help you reach 50K.
I received these.
- Your very own magical NaNo Wizard bookmark signed with thanks by our Director of Programs Chris Angotti and Executive Director Grant Faulkner
I received these.
- A donor halo on your NaNoWriMo author profile
Yes.
- A listing on the NaNoWriMo Brought To You By page
Yes.
- A coupon code for 30% off plus free shipping from our friends at Chronicle Books
I don’t remember getting this, but perhaps it was in the email along with the webinars…
- A coupon for a free Structure class from StoryWonk ($10 retail value)
I don’t remember getting this, but perhaps it was in that mysterious missing email, too.
As I said, the main reason to donate to NaNoWriMo isn’t for any of those things. It’s to support a worldwide creative effort. As Grant Faulkner wrote in his note to me, “the world needs more creators.” Amen to that…
Here are my NaNoWriMo stats from yesterday, November 7:
| Average Per Day | 1689 |
| Words Written Today | 2179 |
| Target Word Count | 50,000 |
| Target ~ Words/Day | 1,667 |
| Total Words Written | 11824 |
| Words Remaining | 38,176 |
| Current Day | 7 |
| Days Remaining | 24 |
| At this rate, you’ll finish | 30-Nov |
| Words/Day to finish on time | 1,591 |
Yay, I passed 10,000 words. Woo-hoo! And look at that, I’m scheduled to finish exactly on time. I’d sure like a little more lee-way than that, especially with Thanksgiving approaching, so I should focus on getting a few days ahead!
President of Outskirts Press 