Welcome back for another writing community roundup! As we mentioned in our last post, writing is not a solitary endeavor. It is easier, more beneficial, and infinitely more rewarding to find a community to write with (and it’s particularly fun if those communities host challenges!) .
We’ve rounded up another bunch of communities worth exploring below. While we’ve included some information on missions, age restrictions, and cost, we encourage you to do your due diligence to find ones that are right for you.
Onward, in no particular order:
Novel 90 Writing Challenge by AutoCrit
The Novel 90 Challenge is a challenge to write 50k words in 90 days–from Oct 1st to Dec 31st. It is held by AutoCrit, an online software that connects you to editing, feedback, and publishing help. In this challenge, you’re able to join 1 of 3 community teams (Planner, Pantser, Plantser), each led by a bestselling author that writes in a similar style and can offer guidance to get you to your writing goal. There are word sprints, emailed encouragement, and community events to keep you motivated. At the end of the 90 days, there are prizes that all participants are entered into and grand prizes for folks that wish to share their manuscripts for feedback.
Age Restrictions: 13+ with parental consent; 18+ otherwise
Cost: Free to participate, though AutoCrit itself has paid plans available as well with more account features
NotNoWriMo by Freewrite
Freewrite offers devices for distraction-free writing. This year they have created a NaNoWriMo-inspired challenge to write 50k words in November specifically without the use of generative AI. They offer stats tracking and badges on their platform, a leaderboard, and community events like writing sprints. You do not need to use Freewrite devices to participate in the challenge, though you do get discounts on devices by signing up.
Age Restrictions: 13+
Cost: Free
Game of Tomes
Game of Tomes is a team-based writing challenge held in November, April, and July. You compete against other Houses to write the most words. It offers fun fantasy-inspired lore around each House and the challenge itself, various live streams from Houses, a Discord server, and a tracker. There are comprehensive rules on how to count progression for rebels that may not have word count goals.
Age Restrictions: 13+
Cost: Free
The 100 Day Writing Challenge
The 100 Day Writing Challenge is a free writing podcast by author Tim Clare. It offers daily 10-minute writing exercises in audio and also via transcript. They can be completed at your own pace but are geared towards building up a consistent writing muscle, and at the time of this writing, are still being produced daily.
Age Restrictions: 13+
Cost: Free
FicFan’s NewNoWriMo
For lovers of fanfiction, NewNoWriMo is a NaNoWriMo-inspired challenge to write 50k words of fanfic during the month of November. You participate by posting your fanfic as you go on the FicFan website and by joining their discord server for community. While the rules for the challenge are simple, there are comprehensive rules around how to use the website, including setting age-appropriate restrictions on your works before sharing.
Age Restrictions: 13+
Cost: Free
Stop Writing Alone
Stop Writing Alone is a podcast/YouTube channel created by Nicole Rivera with the aim of helping writers find a motivating writing community. It includes social media accounts to interact with and also offers a Facebook group, a network group, and a Substack page with updates on community events, new episodes, and videos.
Age Restrictions: 13+
Cost: Free; optional $5 monthly tier offers extra VIP events, community, and accountability posts
Novel November
Novel November was created as an alternative for NaNoWriMo in 2025. It lets you set a goal—either the standard 50k in the month, or a custom one–and currently offers a forum, tracker, and awards you can win as you progress. The forum is run on a code of conduct that is geared around being all-ages friendly, offering full transparency–no edits, no deletes, and the code is publicly available.
Age Restrictions: 13+
Cost: Free
NovNov by ProWritingAid
NovNov by ProWritingAid is a challenge to write 50k words during November. It is hosted by ProWritingAid, whose software uses AI to offer analysis, critique, and advice on your writing. ProWritingAid’s use of AI may make this event a non-starter for some writers, but we’re including it because it’s one of the biggest NaNoWriMo replacements out there. NovNov is free to participate in, and offers live sessions with a number of best-selling authors throughout the month. It also offers prepping help in October and editing/publishing advice in December.
Age Restrictions: 13+
Cost: Free, though paid tiers are available
Honorable Mentions–Writing Tools
While the below skirt the line of being defined as “writing communities,” they offer writing tools that could be useful depending on your needs.
World Anvil
World Anvil is a bundle of worldbuilding tools that includes article templates, interactive map and timeline builders, document organization, novel-writing software, and more. You can use it to keep track of your fantasy novels and RPG campaigns, talk with others on the Discord community, or publish on World Anvil’s digital platform.
Age Restrictions: 13+
Cost: Free, though paid tiers are available
We Will Write
We Will Write is a tool for teachers to use in their classrooms to encourage their students to practice writing and creativity and “ignite the urge to write." It allows teachers to set short challenges that students can participate in as teams to practice writing, reading, and giving feedback.
Age Restrictions: 18+ to sign up; student age restrictions determined by individual school systems
Cost: Free with tiered payment options for more features
If you’re part of a community you’d like us to highlight, reach out and let us know!