I’m not usually one to ask for things. Even when I was a girl scout, I felt weird going door-to-door asking people to buy my cookies. Obviously I didn’t inherit my father’s selling skills.

Well, I’ve decided to overlook my aversion to asking people for money just this once. As writers out there are probably aware, NaNoWriMo, or, National Novel Writing Month, is just around the corner. The event, which officially begins November 1, is a month long write-a-thon where writers work towards producing a 50,000 word novel in 30 short days. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?

Wait, there’s more

But, as an organization, NaNoWriMo does a lot more. Through donations, they bring free creative writing programs for kids and adults to over 500 cities and towns, 3,000 classrooms, and 200 libraries every year. As someone who has always found a special friend through writing, I’ve gotta say, I think it’s great to share this great gift with as many people as possible.

This year, I am, for the 4th year running, participating in NaNoWriMo. And, for the first time, I am als0 trying my hand at fundraising.

My NaNoWriMo Fundraising Goal

My goal is to get $250 worth of donations. Not a lot when you think about it. $5 here, $10 there, and lots of people who would not otherwise have the opportunity can suddenly enroll in writing programs and NaNoWriMo can continue to fund itself.

So what will I do for you?

NaNoWriMo Mug

This year I am more prepared than I’ve been any previous year. I have a plot outlined, complete with a working story arc and everything and I’m buying a new tea kettle this weekend and a good supply of tea to help motivate me. Basically, I’m ready to go. I will complete the challenge this year and your donations will help urge me on.

In addition, I will select one donor at random to receive a NaNoWriMo Diner Mug. How cool would that be?

And finally, once I get my book signed and published (’cause isn’t that ultimately the goal here?), I will give a shout out to everyone who donates.

So here’s the skinny

To donate, all you have to do is follow this link and you will be taken to my donor page. Once you donate, my little progress meter will go up. You can also check out my NaNoWriMo page here to keep tabs on my progress and see a brief synopsis of my NaNoWriMo project this year.

Thanks in advance for your donations and if I don’t have your contact info, send me a quick message through my contact page so I can add you to the raffle list.