Have a story in mind, long enough to be made into a book? Then here's a chance to get your novel published online. As a precursor to NaNoWriMo or National November Writing Month, representatives of the Office of Letters and Light in India, a non-profit organisation based in the U.S., are creating awareness in all major cities about the novel writing contest.

“Every year contestants across the world write a novel in a single month [November], with at least 50,000 words in it. The winners of the contest will have their work published as authors on www.amazon.com,” says Karthik Narayan, one of the national representatives for India, who has been designated as Municipal Liaison. In 2009 and 2010, he was one of the winners of the contest.

Last year, over 2,000 participants took part in the contest with majority of them from Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore.

One can use a computer or laptop, but the midnight of November 30 is the deadline. Anyone who reaches at least 50,000 words is deemed a winner and their works are later proof read by a web-based team and published. According to the website www.nanowrimo.org, one can participate “to write without having to obsess over quality and to be able to mock real novelists who dawdle on and on” and on any genre.

Writing sessions

In Chennai, a series of events are being planned from the third week of this month to create awareness of the contest by organising writing sessions and ‘Thank God it is over' sessions. “These events will be coordinated across India with various other volunteers. So far we have people from Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram and we hope to rope in more,” says Mr.Narayan.

There are over 500 official NaNoWriMo chapters around the world, says the website.

Quite a challenge

Taking part in the writing month can be quite a challenge.

Two years ago when Ananth Shankar enrolled in the novel writing competition it was to fulfil his desire of writing a book.

“But, two weeks into the competition I discontinued because of my busy schedule at work in an IT firm. I had written nearly 6,000 words,” says Mr. Shankar, who will be appearing for the contest next month. “I am planning to write on what not to do in MBA.

Taking part in the contest is going to be of help to me as I have to read through my subject books, which will be of help in my examination too,” says Mr. Shankar, who is pursuing his management studies.

Although many say that writing a novel of 50,000 words in a month's time is not easy, those who have participated say the contest helps one run that extra mile. And of course, calling yourself an author.