Our Stance on AI

As an author and advocate for creativity, I want to address my position on NaNoWriMo’s recent statement regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their event. For three years, I proudly served as Montreal’s Municipal Liaison for NaNoWriMo, passionately supporting the writing community and fostering an environment that celebrated creativity in its purest form. However, I have recently resigned from this position due to fundamental disagreements with NaNoWriMo’s stance on AI.

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I am unequivocally against the use of AI when it comes to creative works — fiction, art, poetry — things that stem from the human soul. Creativity is a uniquely human endeavor, and allowing AI-generated content in a creative writing competition undermines the purpose of the event. The heart of NaNoWriMo has always been about the struggles and triumphs of the individual writer — human imagination facing the blank page, and that is where the true value lies.

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AI is a tool, and in that capacity, I fully support it. It can be an excellent resource for helping with tasks that pull us away from our actual creative work, such as drafting outlines for contracts, preparing grant proposals, or organizing logistical details. These tasks have long frustrated artists, and AI offers a way to handle them more efficiently so that the focus can remain on creation. But AI should never replace the act of creativity itself, nor should it be allowed in competitions meant to nurture and celebrate human artistic expression.

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NaNoWriMo’s recent statement claims that opposing AI in these competitions has “classist and ableist undertones,” tying questions of AI usage to questions of privilege. I find this reasoning flawed. In fact, lower-income individuals are less likely to have access to advanced AI tools, making this argument disconnected from the reality many face. Furthermore, implying that writers with disabilities need AI to be creative is offensive, and many of my friends who are disabled writers share this sentiment. Creativity does not require AI; it requires humanity, and that is something we all possess, regardless of ability or income level.

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For this reason, I tendered my resignation from NaNoWriMo, expressing my disappointment in their decision to allow AI in a competition rooted in celebrating human imagination.

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With that said, I’m excited to share that I am launching The Order of the Written Word, a new writing challenge created for dedicated authors, poets, and storytellers who, like me, believe in the power of the human imagination. In a world where AI-generated content is on the rise, The Order of the Written Word will champion human creativity, providing tailored challenges and year-round support for writers in every stage of their craft.

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This event will be supported by my small press, The Stygian Society, offering authors visibility, opportunities for publication, and discounted services to help them hone their work. Our launch is set for October 1, 2024, and we welcome writers who want to embark on a journey to create something uniquely theirs.

I invite anyone who shares my passion for human storytelling to join us this November, and together we’ll continue to celebrate the creative spark that defines us.

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— Holly Rhiannon
Founder of The Order of the Written Word
CEO, The Stygian Society