National Novel Writing Month is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, established in 1999, in Berkeley, CA. We believe in empowering creative writing, a diversity of voices, and perseverance towards a goal. Most importantly, we believe that stories matter. In 2012, we served more than 450,000 participants all around the world. Our programs include: National Novel Writing Month, which encourages people to make time for creative projects by committing to writing 50,000 words of a novel in the 30 days of November. The Young Writers Program, which provides free resources, curriculum, and virtual tools to educators of creative writing around the world. Come Write In, which helps to turn local libraries, independent bookstores, and community centers into hubs for neighborhood writing literacy.