About the Pledge

Everyone who has had a lot of fun this NaNo but who is interested in joining a supportive group to take your books to the next step should consider the Pledge. Begun after the 2006 NaNo, this effort attempts to help people commit to and follow through with the following steps (note: you don't have to commit to every step or even to seeking publication of your novel to participate):

1. Finish the story
2. Rewrite the novel!
3. Critique each others works (see section on this below)
4. Edit the novel
5. Find writer's organizations/Join writer's organizations
6. Research publishing houses to query
7. Write and send out query letters
8. When a response is received, submit the manuscript!

How do I find out more?

We will have our next Pledge meeting from 9:30-11:30 AM, December 8th (just before the TGIO) at the Naperville Municipal Center, Rooms A, B and C. Under consideration for this coming year:

• a point system for critiques (or possibly to use the existing system and engine at critiquecircle.com)
• more flexible scheduling (different people have different life constraints)
• critiquing meetings
• Q&A with published authors

What if I am not seeking publication?

You can still participate in those activities that suit your own goals. This is the Illinois::Naperville region's year-round writing/critiquing group and we'll be more flexible this year in what people are pledging to do.

We'll also continue to have Pledge outings (both fun and creative) and writing exercises.