"Now What?" Months

The "Now What?" Months are an informal NaNoWriMo event. It first took place in January and February 2013.
Since at least 2008, the NaNoWriMo staff would add the I Wrote a Novel, Now What? page to the Nano site. This page included links to editing and publishing resources, as well as advice from pep talk authors and NaNo staff. It also highlights the opening of the I Wrote a Novel, Now What? forums (known as the December and Beyond forums until 2015).
The desire to do more and positive feedback on participant surveys birthed the Now What? Months, which provides more editing resources while helping Wrimos with writing all year long.
In 2013, NaNoWriMo expanded their "I Wrote a Novel, Now What?" page to the "Now What?" Months for a new informal event. Run during January and February 2013, the inaugural "Now What?" event featured multiple pep talks, and advice on the NaNo blog from editors, literary agents, and published authors. NaNo also conducted a pair of webinars that could be attended for a donation: one in January with the Book Doctors, and one in February with self-published authors Hugh Howey and Sarra Cannon. Chats were also hosted over Twitter to discuss the revision process. The previous resources and forums were also present.
=="Now What?" Months resources==
The "Now What?" Months provided resources from pep talks to blog posts to webinars. This includes a workbook which takes the writer from the very first read through, to the basics of beta readers. Each section of the workbook provides links to additional resources. The workbook is available on the main Nano site under the Writer's Resources - Now What? tab.
Published authors Rachael Herron, Marissa Meyer, and Nora Zelevansky provided pep talks, as well as NaNoWriMo founder Chris Baty and OLL intern Ari Asercion.
Authors and NaNo staff members also provided blog posts on post-draft topics such as starting a writing group, editing, and publishing tips. 
In 2013, NaNoWriMo hosted two Twitter chat during the Now What? months: on 17 January to discuss what to do after NaNo (#nanowrimo) and 12 February with the New Leaf Literary Agency (#nanonewleaf). As well, OLL hosted two webinars that Wrimos could access with a donation: one with the Book Doctors on editing and pitching your work, and another on 24 February with Hugh Howey and Sarra Cannon on self-publishing.
In 2014, NaNoWriMo hosted a revising webinar with NaNo authors Jason Hough and Susan Dennard.
In 2015 NaNo hosted two Twitter chat during the Now What? months: on 22 January to discuss what to do after NaNo (#NaNoNowWhat) and 19 February with the New Leaf Literary Agency (#nanonewleaf). NaNo also hosted a webinar with NaNo novelist M. Anjelais and her editor Barry Cunningham, who is also known for acquiring Harry Potter.
Pitchapalooza for Wrimos also takes place during the Now What? Months.
=="Now What?" Web Badges==
In 2020 NaNoWriMo produced two web badges for Wrimos to promote their revising efforts. These badges remained on the NaNoWriMo website through 2021.
File:Im-Revising-Badge-Typewriter01-nowwhat2020.jpg|The typewriter "Now What?" 2020 badge
File:Im-Revising-Writing-Badge-Cup01-nowwhat2020.jpg|The coffee cup "Now What?" 2020 badge
==External Links==
* The "Now What?" Months on the NaNo website
* Blog posts tagged Now What?
Category:Office of Letters and Light events