Best NaNoWriMo Alternatives 2025: Reedsy vs ProWritingAid
November has come around again, but this time it feels a little bit different.
When news broke in April this year that NaNoWriMo was shutting down for good, many of us writers felt bereft. The yearly writing challenge pushing thousands of creatives to hit a 50,000 word target had become a yearly ritual for those who, like me, needed a solid kick up the backside to finish their first draft. So, with NaNo gone, what are we going to do this year?
Fortunately, many writing companies have rushed to fill the void and in today’s post, I’ll be looking at the two most popular options: Reedsy’s Novel Sprint and ProWritingAid’s Novel November. Both promise community and accountability, but which one is right (or write! Heh heh) for you?
Reedsy's Novel Sprint 2025
Reedsy invites writers to tackle a 50,000-word novel in November 2025 using their built-in writing platform Reedsy Studio. Participants can join for free and use the site to track their progress.
✨Highlights:
- Join anytime during the month of November
- To finishers can win cash prizes (up to $5000!) and introductions to literary agents!
- Finishers can also get three months of Reedsy Studio Premium.
- Reedsy studio has some really good features for goal-tracking and editing.
- There are live events, webinars and a bunch of resources to help writers plan.
❗Why it might not be for you:
- You must use Reedsy Studio to qualify.
- The competitive format might not appeal to you.
ProWritingAid's Novel November
Colloquially called NovNov (no comment), this free 30-day challenge encourages writers to hit 50,000 words in their own preferred writing software. The focus is more on community and self-motivation, which might make it a preferrable alternative for some writers.
✨Highlights:
- Workshops and webinars with editors, authors and writing coaches.
- Strong community in forums, Discord and you can sign up for motivational emails.
- Rewards include digital badges (just like the old NaNo site!) and discounts on the premium version of ProWritingAid.
- You can use your own preferred writing setup (Scrivener, word, Google Docs etc).
- Support continues beyond the November Sprint, with December dedicated to supporting you edit and publish your finished manuscript.
❗Why it might not be for you:
- No major prizes, so motivation is purely self-driven.
- Some of the advanced tools are premium only.
⚖️Which one is right for you?
| Feature | Reedsy Novel Sprint | ProWritingAid Novel November |
|---|---|---|
| Word Count Goal | 50,000 | 50,000 |
| Platform | Reedsy Studio (in-app) | Any (BYO tool) |
| Prizes | Cash & agent consults | Badges & discounts |
| Focus | Competition & completion | Creativity & learning |
| Best For | Goal-driven writers | Community-driven writers |
Final Thoughts
While NaNoWriMo may be gone, November remains the perfect time to challenge yourself and there is so much online, in terms of tools and community, available to support you.
No matter which path you choose, the rules remain the same: show up, write every day and let your imagination run free.
Which challenge are you joining this November? Share your choice in the comments or tag @tonimoth on Instagram.
