- Pledge A Word Count 🔢
- Gather Your Supporters 💌
- Dedicate Two Focused Weeks To Your Writing 📝
WHAT IT IS
The Write-a-thon is a peer-to-peer fundraiser for Clarion West. As a supporter of our mission to teach, build, and provide community for emerging writers of speculative fiction, you sign up to produce a certain word count or set daily writing goals during the two weeks of the Write-a-thon, from July 12-26, and encourage your friends and family to back your goal with their donations. Use the write-a-thon as the crowdsourced motivation you need to finish that chapter or work on those overdue edits. You can participate from anywhere in the world. We don’t need you to run a 5k (unless you’re into that?), we just need you to write.
PRIZES & INCENTIVES
- Raise $75 and receive a 2025 Write-a-thon Sticker*
- Raise $125 and receive the Fundraising Fire Lizard Sticker
- Raise $175 and receive a Notebook with the Clarion West 2025 Featured Art
- Raise $225 and receive a Totebag with the Clarion West 2025 Featured Art
- Raise $450 and receive all of the above!
* There is no cost to register for the Write-a-thon, however we are asking each participant to set a minimum fundraising goal of $75 this year — or more if you’re comfortable!
If everyone in the Write-a-thon raises just $75, we’ll reach our summer fundraising goals — and help support free and low-cost community programs year-round!
Every $5,000 earned (collectively) during the Write-a-thon unlocks a free community Q&A with special guest instructors:
- Stephen Graham Jones
- Jonathan Strahan & Jack Dann
- Sarah Pinsker
- Charlie Jane Anders
HOW IT WORKS
Registration begins May 19, 2025
What’s New This Year?
- Register earlier, and raise funds ahead of time.
- Build your personalized fundraising page with our easy-to-use template.
- Learn pro-level fundraising tips to help you meet your goals.
- Set your pledges and writing goals to inspire your supporters.
- Set Your Goals (July 6–12): fundraising rewards announced, leaderboards cheered, and final fundraising push this week. Last minute registrations assisted with final fundraising efforts. Finalize and prepare to meet your writing goals!
- Focused Writing Time from July 12-26: the fundraising is done, time to meet your summer writing goals! During the two weeks of Write-a-thon, you’ll receive:
- Daily writing prompts.
- Find writing sprints and a writing community in Discord & in-person (in Seattle).
- Join in some amazing Q&A sessions with Clarion West Instructors (for all sessions unlocked during fundraising)!
WHO + HOW IT HELPS
The Write-a-thon is more than a chance to focus on your writing—it’s a way to give back to the writing community. When you donate, or raise money for Clarion West, you support:
- Finding a permanent home for our six-week, in-person workshop.
- Low-cost access to classes for writers of all levels.
- Scholarships for emerging writers who wouldn’t otherwise have access.
- Year-round community programming to connect and inspire writers around the globe.
Get ready to dive into your writing and make meaningful connections while helping us reach our ambitious goals.
Together, we’ll write, fundraise, and unlock an incredible Write-a-thon experience!
=>> No matter what your summer plans are, our community Discord and free writing sessions will continue for everyone!
READY TO GO?
Use the JOIN WRITE-A-THON button to register.
If you have any questions, you can check out our FAQ or email us at . Happy writing!