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The 10K Social Writing Challenge starts on the 1st of every March and October.

Write 10,000 words.

This is your chance to add 10,000 words to your novel, whether it's currently a blank page or halfway done.

Get feedback. Or not.

Some writers love getting feedback as they work, others want little to none until they're finished. The choice is yours!

Post your word count.

Show off your progress and keep yourself on track by posting your daily word count.

Be the first to know when you can enter!

You could even win a writing award.

What writers are saying...

“	This Challenge was a huge boost for my writing and my ego. It was refreshing to receive so much feedback on my work-in-progress that I can't stop now. Thank you for creating this amazing opportunity.” —Dacia Arnold, winner, Most Buzz Award

“

The Challenge pushed me to write more than I ever have before—every day—which in itself has given me so much pleasure. I have made a start on my very first novel, which is something I'd always thought only other people did! The sense of pride and personal achievement is immense. I have made some new friends who share my enthusiasm and excitement in the process. I think that's one of the crucial elements, actually: to be encouraged by a community of writers who understand how difficult the process can be. Truth be told, after I reached the high of achieving the target of 10,000 words, I was very disappointed that it was all over. I am convinced that this month will absolutely stand out as one of the high points of this year for me.”

—Liberty Henwick, winner, Fan Favorite Award

“

I loved the Challenge. I work anywhere from 36-74 hours a week so the lower daily word count made this Challenge very managable for me. I also love that I've been able to connect with other writers, which is something I've always found a bit difficult to do.”

—Sibille Rose, author of A Crack in the Mirror

Be the first to know when you can enter!

FAQ

What is the 10K Word Count Writing Challenge?

It's a way to challenge yourself to write 10,000 words in one month, so you can make a good deal of progress on your novel. Although 10,000 words may sound like a lot, keep in mind that it's less than 350 words a day, about a few paragraphs' worth.

Why 10,000 words?

By focusing on a relatively small number of words—instead of, say, 50,000—you'll be able to put more thought into what you’re writing, and end up with a solid foundation for a great novel that you can build on over time.

I've already started on my novel. Can I still enter?

Yes! We encourage preparing materials in advance so that you don't have to start cold. This includes outlines, character sketches, even unfinished books you've already posted on ChapterBuzz. Heck, bring your 50,000 words from NaNoWriMo!

As long as you write 10,000 new words during the Challenge month, you'll be eligible for an award.

Are there any prizes?

Several awards, in a variety of categories, will be given to writers at the end of the Challenge. We'll be recognizing both raw writing ability and how well your manuscript-in-progress is received by your fans during the Challenge. Just think, you could be an award-winning writer by the end of the Challenge! See previous winners

Does it cost money to enter?

Nope, it's free!

Can I write in any language?

Currently, we are only accepting English-language submissions.

Is any genre allowed?

We have a good answer in the general ChapterBuzz FAQ: Is any genre allowed?

Do I have to post my writing publicly?

In order for us to count your entry, your material must be either composed on this site or copied and pasted in. You are not required, however, to publicly post it—it can be kept in draft form and still be counted. (This is similar to "draft" vs. "published" on a blog site.)

Keep in mind that if you choose not to post it, you could be missing out on half the fun! Feedback from readers can be especially useful and informative at this stage.

What if I'm not confident in my writing, or unsure about the best way to write my novel?

At this stage, don't worry about how great your writing is—just do your best. Since 10,000 words is only a fraction of the length of a novel, it's still very much a rough draft this early on. Recognizing that it by no means has to be perfect might take the pressure off just enough to accomplish the real objective: getting those words onto paper.

See also: I'm nervous. Will I fit in at ChapterBuzz?

Am I required to invite readers or request feedback?

It's not a requirement, but it's a great side benefit of posting your work on ChapterBuzz. Other Challenge participants and site members can become fans by clicking "I'm a Fan!" on your profile, and you can easily ask for feedback using our discussion feature.

If you do wish to invite friends, family, and blog followers to read your work, use our special invite page to make it easier!

How do I publicly update my word count?

You can post your current word count on your profile (it's all calculated automatically for you!) for the world to see your progress. On your Challenge Dashboard, click on "Update word count" next to your word totals, and you'll be prompted to post your update. You can update once a day, and updating more than once a day simply overwrites the previous update.

Be the first to know when you can enter!