#Scrivathon16: Get to know the campaign

Have you heard about #Scrivathon16 yet? If you haven’t, then this is the perfect opportunity to learn more. This is the campaign’s first year, and I’m happy to help you get to know it a little bit.

To help with that, I’ve asked A.Y. Chao, the organizer, to give us a bit of a rundown on what to expect. The actual event will be happening on Nov. 12, but there’s still plenty of time to sign up as a writer or to donate. To learn more about either, simply visit aychao.com/scrivathon/.

Now, let’s get down to that interview, shall we?

1. First off, what was the inspiration behind #Scrivathon16?

I loved the idea of a write-athon—writers getting together and putting their collective energy into getting words on paper and helping an urgent cause.

2. Can you tell us a little about what will be happening on November 12?

Scrivathoners commit to writing for the whole day. 24 hours. You can start whenever but carry on writing for 24 hours. We can encourage and cheer each other via Twitter and Facebook. Anyone who wants to can also fundraise, asking friends and family to pledge them for X number of words written, or hours sat writing, or a lump sum. We also are raffling prizes—the cost of a ticket is a donation to our charity via the official Scrivathon justgiving page. Anyone can enter, and the prizes are amazing.

3. How was Syria Relief chosen as the charity?

We did a poll on FB and Twitter. The charity does amazing work for people in the war-torn country. The relief they provide is so necessary.

4. How can writers get involved?

Writers can write! Fundraise, spread the word. We have a thunderclap campaign which is like a online flashmob. Join the thunderclap here by donating a tweet. (The link is good until 4 November.)

5. Non-writers?

Spread the word, and donate if you can. Every dollar helps. Here’s the official Scrivathon donoation page.

6. I hear there’s a raffle for some writerly prizes. Can you tell us a bit about it and how to enter?

They are all writerly prizes, all donated by amazing people. We have a spot on a Story Masters course with the rock stars of the writing world-James Scott Bell, Donald Maas, and Christopher Vogler. Loads of great editing packages, even a query and first-five-page critique by Beth Phelan. Anyone can enter (even Scrivathoners!). Each entry is the cost of a donation. No minimum, and you can enter as many time for as many prizes as you like—all it takes is one donation per entry. Just pick the prize you want to enter, and follow the instructions.

7. Everyone likes to get to know the person behind the campaign. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a recovering lawyer and expat Canuck who lives in London, England. I write urban fantasy. My first novel, Soul Affinity, recently placed first in the 2016 RWA IGO contest, and finaled in the 2016 RMFW Colorado Gold contest. I’m teaching my very first class shortly at Savvy Authors, Revision Mastery.

I have a British Husband, daughter and two pooches, but my prairie girl heart will always belong to Canada, just as my cowboy boots will always have space in my closet. 🙂

8. Do you know what you’ll be working on for this year’s #Scrivathon16?

The follow up to Soul Affinity—tentatively titled Soul Disparity.

9. Thank you so much for answering my questions! Is there anything else that you want to add?

If you are thinking of doing Nano, join Scrivathon for 24 hours and really push your word count. Great camaraderie, extreme word count boosting, and all for a great cause. 🙂

Want to learn more about #Scrivathon16? Check out the other blogs on the blog hop tour:

A.Y. Chao || Gurpreet Sihat || Hoda Agharazi || Deborah Crossland Maroulis || Morgan Hazelwood ||Dante Medema || Maria Guglielmo || K.J. Harrowick || Rochelle Karina || Adele Buck