ML NaNo Prep event

Thanks to everyone who voted on a time for our first ML event of this NaNoWriMo season! I wish a time existed that worked for every single one of you—time zones are always going to be such a challenge for these. 

The ML NaNo Prep event will take place on Friday, September 22 at 3PM Pacific. (This post should convert the time to your time zone for you.) You can register on Zoom if you'd like to join us live, and I'll also share a recording afterwards if you can't make it in real time! Microphones and cameras are optional—you're welcome to just participate via chat. 

The event will be two hours long, and you can just stop by for a few minutes or stay the whole time. We’ll do some NaNo Prep activities to start (or continue!) our own individual preparations for novel writing, but we’ll also have lots of opportunities to share ideas of what has worked at prep events in your own region in the past, and ask any questions you might have about NaNo Prep.

NaNo Prep 101 Workshop

Next week is also when we officially kick off our NaNo Prep season, with weekly themes to help people get ready for NaNoWriMo. Things will really start rolling next week, but you can check out the freshly updated NaNo Prep 101 page here to see what to expect. 

It's not required to do any NaNo Prep activities with your region (and obviously some people just jump in on November 1st without any sort of prep!) but it's a great structure to use if you'd like to start getting people thinking about NaNoWriMo and connecting with your region. 

ML channel on the Writers of Colour Discord

I know many BIPOC MLs are already members of the Writers of Colour forum on the NaNoWriMo site and the associated Discord server. In order to provide a supportive space for BIPOC MLs to collaborate (and commiserate!) about their MLing experiences, we've added an ML-specific channel to that WoC Discord. Special thanks to our Social Media Manager Tiffany, who is the staff facilitator of the Writers of Colour group! 

Here's how to join that ML-specific Discord channel:

1. First, make sure you've joined the WoC forum.
2. Once you're in the WoC forum, you can join the WoC Discord by finding a pinned post called "WoC Discord Server!"
3. Finally, once you're in the WoC Discord, you can join the ML-specific channel by finding a pinned post in the #questions-and-support channel.

If you run into any issues, email me and/or Tiffany. Remember, the WoC Discord and forum are just for people of colour, which includes but is not limited to any/all peoples of Black, Latinx/Latine, Asian, Indigenous, and multiracial descent. If you self-identify as a person of colour and feel like you belong in this space, you are welcome to join. Thank you!

There are so many moving parts and so much information all the time, sometimes it can be helpful to just do a quick check-in with what you should have done by now and what you should be getting ready for:

Should be done by now:

• Introducing yourself to your region on your regional landing page and in a regional message
   
• Connecting with any co-MLs
   
• Starting to scout locations for any in-person events you're planning to host

Things to get done in the next few weeks:

• New MLs: finishing up the ML training in the Google Classroom
   
• Confirming times and dates for your initial events
   
• Ordering an ML kit if you missed the pre-order (we're planning for this to be available Thursday September 22—I will either send a link to order or an update next week!)
   
• Sending regular regional messages letting your participants know about upcoming events and where they can find any virtual spaces you might have in your region to connect with other writers

Things to do at some point before next May when you can fit it in:

• Complete one of the ML workshops (which one depends on whether you are a new or returning ML, though you are of course welcome to participate in all of them if you want!)

And last but not least, if you missed the general announcement, the new merch for NaNoWriMo 2023 is officially on sale now! I would like all of it. That shirt! That mug! THE PUZZLE! Digital flair including ML badges should be available next week.

Frequently used ML links

ML Support Hub
ML Forums
Join the ML Discord
ML Facebook group
New ML Training Google Classroom
ML workshop information