Explore the impressive lineup of winners, in the daily randomized list here.
You can also browse through the list of participants here.
April 2023 Writathon Challenge is now over.
The next Challenge begins on October 31st.
This is a personal challenge first and foremost. The challenge is to write and publish 55,555 words in 5 weeks (by the 5th of May), if you manage to do that, you win.
We hope that you aim to form healthy writing habits; we also encourage you to participate in discussions with other community members in the forum where you can leave your words of encouragement, frustration, or challenge to your fellow participants!
Rules:
- You can submit a new story or you can continue an old one, but the 55,555 words have to be completed in a single-story, not across multiple stories.
- For the duration of the challenge, the chapters posted to the story cannot include any sexual content.
- You can only participate with an original fiction. The story cannot be a fanfiction.
- You can only participate with a word count written during the challenge period.
To accept the challenge, go to the Writathon tab in the Author dashboard and click [Participate]. You can confirm your participation by checking if you have a progress bar in the writathon tab.
If you have a backlog of chapters, click [Participate] only after the backlog is published.
A backlog is any chapter that you wrote but did not publish before the start of the challenge.
If you are submitting a new fiction, the word count for it will start from the beginning of the Writathon challenge regardless of when you choose to participate. But, you must still click [Participate] to be a part of the challenge.
If your new story has a backlog, simply open a support ticket and a staff member will change the starting word count number for you.
For the spirit of the challenge, and to inform the other authors and readers - please add [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge] in the description of your story.
First Milestone:
Write at least 25,000 words by the 15th of April to qualify for the announced participants' list.
The list will be announced to everyone, and it will show the fictions that are seriously participating in the challenge to make it easier for readers to find those stories.
This is a personal challenge, to remove the competitive element to it the names on the list will be randomly listed.
Second Milestone:
Finish writing 55,555 words before the end of the 5th of May.
If you complete this milestone by the deadline, you will count as a winner of this challenge (even if you didn’t make it in time for the first Milestone)!
Rewards:
All winners will receive 1-month of Author Premium (this can be used or gifted to another user per request).
All winners will receive an Achievement unique to the Writathon worth 5000 level EXP!
Time zone:
The challenge follows the IDLW timezone, which is the last timezone on earth. This means that as long as the date is still the 5th somewhere around the world, the challenge will continue! Note that you can check a localized deadline based on your timezone in the Writathon Tab
How to submit your first story
Register for an account on Royal Road if you have not already. This can be easily done from our Welcome page or by clicking the “Login" button in the top right corner and selecting "Create an account" at the bottom of the login form.
Once you log in, click Write on the navigation bar, which will take you to the Author Dashboard. From there, click [Add New] or jump to New Fiction Submission
Fill in the Title and the Description. Select the genres and additional tags. Fill in your first chapter's title and the content of your first chapter. Expanded detail on this can be read in the next section.
Note: Please do not include links for donations, Patreon accounts, or shortened links to other sites such as Discord servers in your Description.
Note: if you do not select fanfiction for stories based on others' work or do not choose the Content Warnings appropriate for your story, the submission will be rejected.
Upload a cover image that is 400x600 pixels or larger (this is optional)
Then click Submit. You can read more about this in our new knowledge base
All new submissions are manually checked for appropriate tagging and plagiarism, so expect it to take between 12-24 hours for a submission to be approved. Please be patient. Make sure to follow our rules to not get rejected after waiting.
Once your fiction has been approved, you can find it by clicking [Write] on the navigation bar. Then click your fiction Cover to get to the [Fiction Dashboard], [page], and [Add Chapter] button.
Good luck, and may you join the Royal Path with your efforts and become a winner.
April Fool's joke (after the fact)
For clarity purposes, we removed the April Fool's joke from the top of the blog post.
The Writathon starts now
, with a small twist this time.
In previous iterations, authors had 5 weeks to spare in order to win the challenge. But, we noticed that those that started halfway through also managed to win, and so did those that started in the last 5 days!
It's apparent that people can finish the challenge regardless of how short the deadline is, so we decided to shorten the deadline to 5 days instead of 5 weeks!You read that right, we believe in the possible; the new deadline to write 55,555 words is 5 days starting now...
That's an average of 11,111 words per day! We believe you can do it! But, you won't have to, because it's April 1st, and so we will keep this amendment an April Fool's joke and move on to the real description of the challenge.We hope that you aim to form healthy writing habits; we also encourage you to participate in discussions with other community members in the forum where you can leave your words of encouragement, frustration, or challenge to your fellow participants!
vestrius on
Nice! I'm excited to participate!
Good luck to everyone!
Razzmatazz on
Here we go again
Epsilon Twilight on
The training weights are of
Razzmatazz on
I can make it. I believe in you who believes in me.
Kaydence on
You can do it Razzmatazz!
Astral464 on
Good luck razz
Moonlit Dragon on
U GOT DIS
Karmasu on
They got me in the first half, not gonna lie.
Wing on
IncognitoAnonyms on
11 thousand characters a day is not so bad. I remember writing a comment containing 10,000 letters in one day. At that moment I found out that there is a limit on the size of comments.
Everything_blue_09 on
Bruh lmao
Wag9 on
When I read about the 'change' I was ready to give up -thought it must be a joke. Then remembered the date....
RavensDagger on
55,555 in 5 days? ... wjat will I do with the extra 3 days?
Wing on
That's the spirit! We just had to give extra days, just in case you didn't see the message on day 1.
feha on
I laughed. From both comments each.
Wing on
The thing is... if encouraged, I fear Raven can do it. They wrote more than 3m words already.
So, it could be a serious comment.
feha on
That's why it was funny, if raven consider it memeworthy they might actually decide to do it
bleakheart26 on
So i've two thoughts on the matter. 1. Either it is something that someone has spent some time writing on, and cleaning up, and editing. That they saved it up for a while done at leisure. OR 2. maybe someone keyboard pounds out something that Might have more than just a few errors and then after or near the end of the challenge when they finished it they decide to clean it up. But that is likely people who like me require a bit of extra time to real try to make it sound good. Sure i finished my English classes but any time i do something like Write up a story well that turns out very different than when i plan and run a D&D campaign. Lot of good stuff is ad-lib'd into a story. we can feed off the characters and NPC's interactions for a inspirational moment. It is just really different when people get to bounce character interaction between different people. Bob could say something different than John, and Harry could be different than the other 2... ultimately making a more interesting conversation than just Author trying to keep in mind tom, dick, and harry and thinking ohkay... so dick is funny, tom is serious, and harry is just unpredictable. so how would he word that.... Oh the challenges of making a good story with Good characters. It would probably be best to include characters with back stories from other games and rebrand them into different stories... that might work. Like Gill, a ware shark from the World of Darkness who was a Hawaiian man over 8 ft tall... but he loved flipflops, hula skirts and colorful T shirts... very nice guy till someone messes with his family and then bad things happen.. he's REALLY strong even if normally a gentle giant. Think like a thin sumo wrestler neither lean nor husky but big and built ..... YEp he's one of my favorites ...
Enough of my mind puke... It's interesting but challenging for a non-professional writer.
Karmasu on
In a TTRPG campaign you can basically work work with a story board and make or change details as you go along depending on what the players do. It comes more organic.
When writing all the details come from you.
I have to see if i find the time and brainpower to pull it off in a month.
ralek on
I dunno bro a campaign still feels like a bigger undertaking
HeartPiercingSpear on
Daveed1402 on
wasteawar on
55,555 in 5 days? hmm I'm seriously tempted.
who needs a brain later anyway.
Kleggt on
Good luck everyone!
Anon8 on
alloralee on
Ahhhhhhh I’ll try again!!!
Ephemerality on
Ok time to complete one of these...
Dylan King on
Didn't quite manage last year, so time for the inevitable Book 2 redemption arc with my new story.
Good luck everyone!
Miss Corbyn on
Thanks for the laugh 😂
Dark Jester on
Hmm... 3rd time lucky?
Buller on
Can we get something if we complete the 11k in 5 days tho?
Buller on
55k*
Wing on
I know this is a serious question coming from you. But, no. This was purely a passing joke.
Buller on
Society on
Awesome!
luda305 on
Do we take a shot of tequila at the end?
Just Endless on
I really do want a tequila after, this shit is hard man.
feha on
Nice, a contest clearly designed with the intention of having participants using AI-tools to aid them (or burn ppl out if they don't)! Far too often nowadays I see contests explicitly forbid ai-generated content, and usually even ones that merely utilize AI as part of the pipeline/process. Hope someone actually makes an attempt that way, would be interested to see the results of a proper attempt that isn't merely "chatgpt, write stuff", but instead actually feed it explicit scenes, and edit stuff.
I hope you post the results in 5 days too, as an "here's what would have been the results, if the amendment was real" kind of thing. Maybe even gift the prizes to the winners of the april fools version as well, and not merely the real winners?
Cestarian on
This might be an april fools joke but I'm pretty sure I could do that. It wouldn't be very good, and I wouldn't do much else over those 5 days, but I could do it.
Wing on
I'm sure you can.
Honestly, the only reason this joke works is that we all know that some authors will be able to do it. Not all authors, but RR authors can!
Dreaming star on
Its back again let's goo!. Can't wait to start writing. Also I must that was a good Aprils Fool joke right there. Seeing it I was like WHAT THE FUCK YOUR TELLING ME TO WRITE 11,111 WORDS EVERYDAY!!!. But when I saw it was a joke man was I relieved.
Also Good Luck to Everyone Who is participating.
Wing on
SailWrite on
I mean it's just 8 words a minute for five days.
12 wpm if you feel the need to sleep.
The Concierge on
For the next five weeks many will dine in words.
frosted_skys on
My heart skipped a beat after reading the first part-
Andrew B. Salmon on
Whew, I forgot it was April Fool's when I started reading the requirements. I just froze in place and decided that maybe I'd try again in the Fall, instead. You got me!
Now to see if I can convince my wife to let me use my time off from work to write instead of taking a family vacation.
marvinkoppii on
11,111 words a day = 10 box of red bulls
PromisePress on
I'm doing my own challenge for the month of May, but I'm happy to cheer everyone on! and you definitely made me :O at the 5 days, LOLOLOL
LitRPG_fan on
LukaGL on
May the odds be ever in your favour
Decean on
Hopefully with the new algorithm update it’ll actually be worth for newer authors to participate. Last Writathon, I remember that every single newer story was shoved literally all the way in the back of a 50 page list, not even touching the middle, while well established authors were front pages, and that left me with a taste more sour than SourPatchKids in my mouth. Let’s try this one again ig
Kaishin on
You should have changed the name to Pirateaton , for 55k words in 5 days. XD
Ace-omi on
I’m to old for this, good luck younglings!
Quinn Voidheart on
lets go!
[email protected] on
Not my cup of tea 😂
MikanSensei on
Doesn't really change anything for me, given my schedule and Words per Chapter, but I do wish everyone the best of luck!
Just stick to a routine you find comfy, and you're already done.
Kaydence on
What the Formica is your schedule, you monster?!
MikanSensei on
Daily chapters, each around 2k-2.5k words.
To me, Writathons have always been a passive thing. I just did my usual writing and would always make it about 10 days before the deadline. Though I was pretty scared when I saw the April Fool's joke deadline
Kaydence on
H-How?!
If this was a cultivator world, you would be one of those "old monsters."
This is my first Writathon, so I am pretty interested in how it's going to go.
DawnEffigy on
BRING IT ON!!
jklw10 on
i can write like 2k in 4h on a good day so it's doable with 2 hours of sleep per day, eating is for weaklings anyways.
LIYETO on
Alexis Nonya on
Time to participate
Kaydence on
Who needs college? Time for become Toko Fukawa, the Ultimate Writer. No-life-mode starting now!
apinsig on
Honestly, I was excited for the 5-day one. It sounded interesting. Are you sure you can't make a writathon like that?
Sun Hashira on
I'm sure this won't be a problem for Monsoon117 at all. Man's a monster at making lengthy chapters.
RainHarlow on
Sounds good, good luck to everyone!
Exponential Incompetence on
Alright, lets give this a go! As good an excuse as any to start writing again.
ArDeeBurger on
Pfft. Five days. Ha. Watch me do mine in five hours. 🤡
proxybaba on
I’m in, sadly my 25k words backlog isn’t
Lin Meili on
Denwa Macska on
Sadly, the only one I have currently running that can manage 55K more words is an erotica story. So sadly, a hard pass for me. Would really love to know why sexual content isn't allowed.
ShortShip on
My hands......hurt
randompug on
I'll certainly give it a try but as usual college is quite hectic
Media Masochist on
This might be the one thing that will get me out of a writing block. I think that I'll actually participate in this one.
Randymandy on
Good luck authors.
Barrent on
April 1
Barrent on
April fools day.
Ashura Goosiz'ian on
11 111 words per day? Ez
Sergeandgreen on
Is there something like the writhaton for fanfictions. I know that it is far easier to write so many words for a fanfiction (at least if no extensive research into the original is requiered) but it would still be nice to have something similar to give the writers a small motivation boost. I mean i plan to release 55k words anyway but something like a writhathon challenge would still be nice.
Wing on
We don't have, nor intend to have any challenge or contest to encourage fanfictions on the platform. While they are allowed, our focus is original webnovels.
ralek on
Anyone else have this weird sort of rule of thumb, to only write when you're upset, dejected or any other emotion?
If I cant manage it when I write then I start stamping real hard and meditating so I can get into that same space every time.
They say that guitarists aim for the same form every time so is it really exaggerated to also apply this to your mindset when writing?
Laranja Maracuja on
I wonder... I was already planning on publishing my first novel in April, and only three chapters are finished. It could be a chance to chase out the procrastination ghosts. 🤔
Omry Cool-Tall on
I think I will do this.
I have two buffer chspters in my current story. So, about a week and a half.
So Will enter officially then.
But I want to not commit for this story not having sex in that time.
So I think I will post a second one.
I will spend the next week thinking of a premice...
Social Sciences Historian on
What a wonderful challenge. I will be glad to participate. Good luck to everyone! ❤️
Radiant Summer moon (TravisW) on
I have some ideas floating around, those other books i was writting can wait
Distructer on
What should I do if I want to submit something I've already been writing?
Wing on
That's allowed. Please read the rules again for more information.
Fusion Tales on
Yaaah!!!!! Lets go!!!
Kido-san on
Sounds fun! If only I weren't so dang busy...
Habitat on
Wing on
No, you can submit any language you want.
Habitat on
Oh, great! Thank you!
Stultus on
Just a question now that I'm considering writing for real this time i promise™,
what constitutes fanfiction? I'm considering writing something based off a game franchise. That game has a an open community license or something that means you're allowed to create and even profit off of content based off of that franchise to a certain extent.
Does that count as fanfiction? Does the story have to be completely unique?
Wing on
That counts as a fanfiction. The story needs to be unique.
Basically, don't build on someone else's world. If you feel inspired by that game franchise, then change their unique aspects to your unique content - until a point where you can say it's just inspired by, and nothing more.
knork14 on
Someone go poke Pirateaba awake , they need to see this
Rosie B.K Nguyen on
I'M SO NERVOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally, the game has begun.....
wise_owl on
Best of luck
Just Endless on
So anyone a first timer like me?
LETS GET IT
Lord_Ducky on
moar word food event again. good.
Belial666 on
I immediately disregarded this as an April 1st joke before reading more than the first paragraph and only realized the Writathon had started for real a few hours before. The stupid joke cost me a weekend's worth of writing time.
RuhlWrites on
Nothing like preparing to post again, only to be smacked in the face with the existence of Writathon. How I forgot about it is beyond me.
But here we are and HERE WE GO! Good luck everyone!
Authors Dread on
Excited to try this for the first time. I'm keeping a positive mindset.
new_sage on
As someone who just started an account, is this real or a joke? I assume a joke, but it isn't exactly clear as there does appear to be a write event.
Wing on
55,555 words in 5 weeks. That's legitimate.
Here's the official dashboard https://www.royalroad.com/author-dashboard/writathon
new_sage on
I hadn't planned on starting right at the same time as a contest. Gonna have to think about it. I assume I am supposed to write something new, right? (Oh, and thanks for the quick response)
Rainnyth on
Aye, original works only for writathon. Good luck to ya regardless, though! Thinking about starting something up, myself. For real this time. Haha.
MagiPech on
Last time, I had the plague. This time, the only thing holding me back is me.
darkocean (J. L. Salmonson) on
Good luck this is way harder thin you'd think. I'm skipping it this time around, am almost finished with my main book so it's slowed way down as I tie up the loose ends. *phew*
Larion on
i havent written much, just about 4k words but this is quite the challange that im willing to take up, it should help me get into writing more often and have quite the boost in productivity, goodluck to you all
rachasudd on
I planned on writing a backlog for a couple of months before uploading anything, but this competition is the kick in the butt I needed. Excited to participate.
Moonsplitter on
I love the Writathon, i always find so many new storys and wonderfull new worlds. I want to say thanks in advance for all the Awesome work everyone dose here and for sharing your thought/dreams of other worlds. So Thank you all and know we all appreciate your hard work
ArchNiki on
10000 words a day? oh this sounds more motivating than ever xD
GrimDux on
It begins
Shaeor on
Sounds super fun! I'm excited to take part (says the guy who planned to write this much anyway, lol).
NocturnalEmissary on
Ah yes, another 'Write 11k words a week" challenge.
If all you're doing is producing mountains of filler quality prose, and you're so full-throttle on writing that you never take the time to edit your own mess, are you actually building healthy writing habits or are you teaching yourself to write poorly? Remember that practicing bad habits is worse than not practicing at all.
A.M. Mein on
Are there smaller writathons? I would do one with easier requirements. I have homework to do people
Buller on
late reply but whatever
there's RRM starting in June. The contest is about creating a story between 8k to 40k words in the span of 4 weeks. Lower WC so could be something
feha on
So... Who won, in the end?
OVDC on
I don't doubt that Pirateaba could do the writeathon in 5 days.
Auntie May's Little Cousin on
And so the nightmare begins once more...
MadameLusa on
Gonna be my first time participating in one. Wish me luck!
Unknown321 on
I participe, good Luck :)
JaffaJessie ( J.L Daniels ) on
Congrats to everyone who completed the 1st milestone!
Time to keep plugging away to get that 100%!
basmbee on
Starting with ten days left, can I write 5555.5 words a day for ten days?
aAakrit on
Waiting for new book to read through, hope all are very exciting and engrossing to read.
T. J. Baggs on
Congratulations to all who have pulled it off, and for those of you on this last day of crunch, I am rooting for you.
Got done myself earlier this week and while it's not my best work, I am proud of accomplishing the challenge.