On November 1, 2018, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) began, sparking a month of creativity for aspiring writers. Throughout November, writers dive into their stories, aiming to become the next big success from NaNoWriMo. This supportive community encourages participants with pep talks, self-care tips, and creative exercises, helping them dig deep to craft captivating stories.
Even if you haven’t heard of NaNoWriMo, you might have read books that originated from this event. Here are six standout novels born from NaNoWriMo efforts that span genres like fantasy, young adult, and historical romance. These books will surely ignite your imagination and, if you’re participating in NaNoWriMo, inspire you to keep writing and chasing your dreams.
6 WONDROUS BOOKS FROM NANOWRIMO YOU’LL LOVE
1 The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (Fantasy)
The circus appears out of nowhere, without any announcement. It’s known as Le Cirque des Rêves and opens only at night, offering a unique and magical experience within its black-and-white striped tents. The story revolves around two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who are unwittingly thrown into a fierce competition set up by their mentors. As they compete, they fall deeply in love, leading to a magical romance that affects the entire circus. Despite their feelings, the competition must continue, and the fate of everyone involved hangs in the balance. Erin Morgenstern’s debut novel, written over several NaNoWriMo years starting in 2005, went on to win several awards and remained on the New York Times Bestsellers List for seven weeks.
2 Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (Young Adult, Fiction/Romance)
Cath is obsessed with Simon Snow, a fictional character who carried her and her sister, Wren, through tough times, including the loss of their mother. As Cath starts college, she struggles to balance her fan fiction writing with the demands of her new life, including a surly roommate, a charming boy, and worries about her fragile father. The novel explores whether Cath can step out of her comfort zone and start living her own life. Rainbow Rowell, initially skeptical about NaNoWriMo, embraced the challenge and produced “Fangirl,” which has frequently appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List and received multiple starred reviews.
3 The Beautiful Land by Alan Averill (Fantasy, Science Fiction)
Takahiro O’Leary works for Axon Corporation exploring parallel timelines. However, the company uses his discoveries to manipulate the past, present, and future for profit, risking the existence of the woman he loves, Samira Moheb. Struggling with PTSD and skeptical of Tak’s claims, Samira reluctantly joins him on a journey across timelines to save both their lives. Alan Averill wrote 60% of this novel during NaNoWriMo, and his book, which won Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award, has become a fan favorite despite mixed reviews from critics.
4 Cinder by Marissa Meyer (Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance)
In a futuristic world, Cinder, a cyborg and talented mechanic, is ostracized by society, including her stepmother. When her life intersects with Prince Kai’s amidst a deadly plague and lunar threats, she must uncover secrets from her past to protect the Earth’s future. Marissa Meyer started writing “Cinder” during the 2008 NaNoWriMo and continued with subsequent books in The Lunar Chronicles series. The series has been widely successful, topping bestseller lists and winning numerous awards.
5 Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (Historical Fiction, Romance)
Jacob Jankowski, almost a veterinarian, finds himself working for a struggling circus during the Great Depression. There, he forms a critical bond with Marlena, the star equestrian, and Rosie, an untrainable elephant, which becomes their only hope for survival. Sara Gruen’s “Water for Elephants,” written during NaNoWriMo, became a 1 New York Times bestseller and was adapted into a movie starring Reese Witherspoon. It continues to captivate readers and is even being adapted for Broadway.
6 Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard (Horror Fiction, Young Adult Fiction)
Sixteen-year-old Eleanor Fitt is determined to find her missing brother amidst rising undead chaos in Philadelphia. She enlists the help of the Spirit-Hunters to tackle the supernatural threats, discovering risks to her reputation and life. This historical fiction novel, written during the 2009 NaNoWriMo, is part of a series that received positive reviews from critics and readers alike. Susan Dennard also completed subsequent books in the series during NaNoWriMo, further showcasing the event’s inspirational power.
These six novels are a glimpse into the wealth of books produced during NaNoWriMo. Good luck to this year’s participants, and keep dreaming and writing—we can’t wait to read your stories!
