#josie gepulle

[nanowrimo]

30 Covers, 30 Days 2023: Sign-Ups Open!

Hey, Wrimos!

It’s that time of the year again: 30 Covers 30 Day Sign-up season! This year, we’re doing things a little bit differently. We’ll still have the classic 30C30D experience in which you get the chance to have a cover designed by a professional graphic designer. Alongside the professional designs though, we’re adding the chance to highlight designers in our community!

So, let’s get all that information rolling!

What’s 30 Covers, 30 Days?

Every November, a handful of Wrimos will be selected to receive a unique cover for their NaNoWriMo Novel! These covers are designed in 96 hours by a group of talented and diverse professional graphic designers, recruited by our amazing 30C30D coordinator, Debbie Millman.

This year, 22 lucky Wrimos will be chosen!

When November hits, you’ll get to see a new cover daily on the forums, as well as the NaNo blog and Instagram! Past covers can be seen here.

How do I get a cover from a professional designer?

All you have to do is fill out this form and nominate your own novel!

Here’s some things to keep in mind:

If you make any mistakes, feel free to edit your previous submission! Make sure you send a copy of the form to yourself at the very end. If you want to remove your submission altogether, please go back in the form and check off the box that asks for removal at the very end.

You do not have to share your real name on the nomination form. Preferred names, pen names, or any kind of name you’d like to use are not only welcomed, but celebrated!

Wait, what’s this about a community feature?

Notice how we only have 22 covers done by professional designers this year? Well, who’s going to fill out the other 8 days?

That’s when the community comes in!

We’ve noticed a lot of you are talented designers in your own right and we wanted a chance to showcase those designs. This cover can be one you’ve created in your own free time or a cover someone created for you in the Artisan Forums.

Sweet! How do I submit a nomination for the community feature?

All you have to do is fill out this form and submit an image of the cover design!

Here’s something super important to keep in mind:

Please make sure both the artist and writer are aware their cover art/novel is being submitted! We know that in the NaNo forums, getting cover art is usually a gift from another Wrimo. As a result, please make sure you have permission from the artist or writer before submitting! Maybe send them a private message to make sure. (Of course, this doesn’t apply to you if you designed your own cover.)

Can I submit to both forms?

Sure! But you won’t be picked for both.

Can I use AI Images in my cover design?

In general, the goal of participating in NaNoWriMo is to motivate yourself to write and give yourself space to develop your creativity. We want to carry that idea onto any visual art presented here as well! It’s less about a sophisticated end project and more of the fun journey you took, isn’t it?

Furthermore, AI image generators can run into some very specific legal and ethical issues. Here’s a few articles if you want to learn more about this topic!

The great AI art debate just got even messier: New study reveals copyrighted images can be reproduced.

Artists talk about how AI blurs creative and ethical boundaries

Given these concerns, we’re asking both professional and community designers not to use AI generated artwork for their submissions.

While you’re out there in the writing world, we’ll be working hard and reading through everyone’s submissions! If your cover is chosen, expect an email from us!

The submission forms will be open until November 15.

If you have any questions, feel free to post in the forums or send me a message there!

Good luck!

— Josie

[nanowrimo]

30 Covers, 30 Days 2023: Day 30

Due to external circumstances, one of our chosen covers was unable to be completed by the original designer. So our Programs Associate, Josie Gepulle, took up the task by doodling some chickens!

Let's wrap things up with Children's Fiction novel Silkie Society by YWP Participant Bailly Collins!

Silkie Society

Connie, Natalie, Sylvia, and Skye are silkie chickens who work as models for Chicken Inc., a company selling all things chickens, secretly run by chickens. Since silkies are smaller than most chickens, the sisters are not always treated like the others. But when the company threatens to close down, the silkies have yet another chance to prove themselves. With the help of some friends and family, they're sure  they can do it. Will they be able to save the company in time? And can they, more importantly, show the other chickens that they are more than meets the eye? Silkie Society is an inspirational story about four chickens, and how there's no such thing as "too little."

About the Author

Bailly Collins is an aspiring author who resides on a picturesque mini-farm in Minnesota. With a passion for storytelling, she has ventured into various genres, including dystopian, children's fiction, and science fiction. With her creative imagination and unique voice, Bailly's writing is both captivating and thought-provoking. When she's not writing, she can be found tending to her animals or exploring the beauty of nature. Bailly is committed to honing her craft and sharing her stories with the world, and she looks forward to bringing her unique perspective to the literary world.

About the Designer

Josie Gepulle is a longtime NaNoWriMo participant! Lately, she's been really into writing food scenes. Maybe it's the unending marathon of baking shows. Outside of fiction, she’ll gladly hand you a media analysis essay. When not writing, she’s a digital artist, stop motion animator, and hamster aficionado.

Cover Design Process:

This year, we gave designers the optional prompt to explain their design process for the cover! Here's Josie's:

Children's Fiction is often accompanied by crayon-like drawings, so I immediately knew how I wanted to draw the chickens! The accessories were added to make them more stylish, it seemed like it would go with their jobs! Maybe I should've gone with something a bit more modern, but I went with the chalkboard backdrop because I can imagine the chickens scratching out their plans on one. Anyway, the overall goal was to draw something whimsical and fun. Hopefully, it comes off as that!

[nanowrimo]

How to Win NaNoWriMo While You’re Busy Running NaNoWriMo

We couldn’t make it through November without the help of our amazing, talented, and dedicated interns! Today, our Fall 2022 Editorial and Programs Intern Josie Gepulle shares some wisdom on how she made it to 50K while also working hard to help keep NaNoWriMo running:   There’s a lot I accomplished during my time as a NaNoWriMo Intern. I found myself doing things I would’ve never thought I could do. I’m naturally a shy introvert, so could I really handle coordinating projects or running Virtual Write-Ins?

The answer is yes, I can do that, and so much more.

What really surprised me, though, was that I won NaNoWriMo for the very first time. I first learned about NaNo when I was around eleven years old, so what was different about this year?

How in the world do you win NaNoWriMo when you’re busy running NaNo itself?

Well, I can’t say I have the perfect answer, but these four things helped me a lot.

1. Take part in NaNo’s online events.

Maybe this is a little unfair, considering I was hosting Virtual Write-Ins. But whether it’s a VWI, Community Meetup, or even an Author Webcast, all these events helped me connect more with the amazing community NaNo has to offer.

My past NaNo attempts were pretty isolated and I was used to writing on my own.

I quickly learned, however, that writing with other people is the best thing in the world. Writers are strange and quirky, but we understand each other more than anyone else. We were able to support each other and give advice that genuinely helped.

There’s also so much community outside of these events too! Shout out to the DFW Rhinos Discord, where I did most of my writing sprints. Each sprint ended with congratulations from fellow writers.

Seeing everyone’s progress in real time is an amazing experience. It inspired me to keep writing too.

When I say any success during NaNo feels like a shared one, I truly mean it.

2. Consistency is the key!

As much as I tried to keep close to a daily word count goal, it was more important to write every single day. Building habits is hard, I’ll admit that.

I tried really hard for NaNo though. I did my best to write the same time every day, usually before work. Sometimes though, writing at night gives you the same feeling as writing an essay an hour before it’s due.

While my time of day wasn’t consistent, I quickly became accustomed to writing every single day. If I truly couldn’t sit down and write that day, I’d type one single word on my phone and count that.

Of course, I will always stress that you should be taking care of yourself first. If you can’t write every single day, that’s fine. Maybe you start by writing every two days or every week. If you can’t write at all, that’s cool too! You’re the one that matters first.

3. Be public about your writing.

Talk to your coworkers about your writing. Talk to your friends about your writing.

I made sure to put my word count in my Discord status and Twitter display name. Everyone was going to see my progress, even if they weren’t a writer.

I was very annoying about my NaNo project, yelling to my friends every time I reached a significant number. They didn’t mind though. They were glad to cheer me on.

The more people you tell, the more cheerleaders you have. Don’t underestimate the power of a cheer squad.

4. Return to your writing roots.

I’m very much aware that a traditional NaNo challenge involves coming up with a new novel idea. Except when you’re running around trying to prepare for November, prepping for a new novel can slip right out of your mind.

Initially, I was disappointed that I couldn’t work on a brand new novel.

Then I realized I had something I could work on. Something I’m very familiar with.

There’s a novel I wrote for my very first NaNo. I never finished it, but I’ve been revising the world and characters for years. I always thought the plot was too difficult for me and I wasn’t ready to write it.

I’ll be honest, I still wasn’t ready when I started writing that new first draft. I felt comfortable though, writing for old characters that I grew up with. The more time that passed, the more I started to enjoy the discovery process. You can do as much planning as you want, but you’ll still end up learning so much about your characters in the writing process.

Return to your old writing friends, the old ideas of your childhood, and maybe something will lead you to success. I’m proud that this is the project that led to my win. Isn’t it poetic? To win NaNo with the novel that inspired you in the first place?

In a lot of ways, maybe these tips are for the super specific version of me that existed last month. Still, I hope they can help a little bit, no matter who you are.

I’m thankful for meeting everyone on the NaNo staff and for all the cool writers I got to interact with. NaNo is truly driven by the principle that every story matters.

I got to experience a few of those stories. I can’t wait to hear more. And dear reader? That includes yours.

Lots of love, Josie

Josie Gepulle is a longtime NaNoWriMo participant and wrangler of characters that become just a bit too alive. She enjoys coming-of-age stories that bring magic to the mundane—sometimes literally! Outside of writing, she loves baking, analyzing media, and staring at hamsters. They’re also an artist and stop motion animator! Feel free to check out their newly created writing Tumblr (@josiewillwrite)  or art Instagram (@ubepengu.draws) for more shenanigans. Feel free to add them as a NaNo buddy as well!

[nanowrimo]

30 Covers, 30 Days 2022: Extra #2

Due to external circumstances, one of our chosen covers was unable to be completed by the original designer. So our trusty Editorial and Programs Intern, Josie Gepulle, decided to take up the task! Let’s cheer for Romance novel Corvuset by YWP Participant Zoe Mcleod!

Corvuset

In the midst of a war is a kingdom in which Aella, the protagonist, is a 'Corvuset' who can transform into a crow. She is a spy for her kingdom by flight. Her loyalty is deeply questioned when she starts to fall in love with a soldier in the opposing kingdom. When tragedy strikes, she has to see the world for what it really is and decide on her values. She ultimately falls in love with the princess of her own kingdom, and she has to understand her life by finding a true passion for flying and the nighttime.

About the Author

Zoe is a devoted writer and reader. She loves using stories as a way to experience worlds she wishes she could visit, and learning more about herself through the characters she creates. She is a lover of autumn, aerial, escape rooms, drawing, and curling up and reading with her cat. She has started multiple novels, but the only one she's finished was for NaNoWriMo (although it took her a lot longer than just one month!).

About the Designer

Josie Gepulle is a longtime NaNoWriMo participant and won for the first time this year! Her favorite thing to write are the daily scenes between characters. Well, at least with fiction writing. Outside of fiction, she’ll gladly hand you a media analysis essay. When not writing, she’s a digital artist, stop motion animator, and hamster aficionado.

[nanowrimo]

The Importance of Filipino Stories: Celebrating Filipino American History Month

October is Filipino American History Month. With more than 4.2 million individuals of Filipino descent here in the U.S., we know there are at least 4.2 million stories to cherish and celebrate! Today’s story comes from Josie Gepulle, our fall 2022 Editorial intern and proud Filipino American. It wasn’t until I was in my second year of college that I got my first reading assignment on Filipino American stories.

At my university, I was taking a history course entitled “American Radicals and Reformers.” Halfway through the semester, I learned about Larry Itilong, a Filipino migrant laborer who went on to lead the five-year Delano Grape Strike in California and later co-founded the United Farm Workers of America.

I’m pretty sure my jaw actually dropped hearing about this. An actual Filipino American made his way into the history books, one who had a profound impact on the labor movement. 

That’s also when it really hit me: there was a lack of Filipino stories in my life.

I grew up in a small suburban Texas town. I was the first and only Filipino my community saw, so I don’t really blame anyone for their ignorance. It was frustrating, however, to receive several comments like, “Are you sure you’re Asian? You don’t look like it at all.” or “Where is the Philippines anyway?” I didn’t understand at that time because I’m proud of my heritage, but what does that mean to a world that doesn’t even know you exist? The most recognition I’ve gotten is from veterans recalling war buddies or travelers who visited Manila once.

I learned the history of the Philippines from my dad, not school. The Philippines, it seems, had no place in the story of America, despite being one of its former colonies. Even the mainstream media barely acknowledged our culture and our community. Any reference to the Philippines seemed to only refer to Manila and how the language was Tagalog. I couldn’t relate to that. My parents are from Bacolod, a city in central Philippines, where the community spoke Illongo. The narrative America wanted to tell about the Philippines, as limited as it was, was not one I could fit into.

It took me a long time to identify as a Pinoy writer. That same year at college when I learned about Larry Itliong, I attended a special event where I heard Jose Antonio Vargas, the famed journalist and immigration rights activist, and openly undocumented Filipino American, give a talk about his book, Dear America: Notes from an Undocumented Citizen. He, too, was a storyteller and writer, just like I wanted to be.

I finally realized I wasn’t alone. I didn’t need to be the author who put the Philippines in the history book. Several writers already did that for me. Carlos Bulosan wrote the famous America Is in the Heart, establishing the Filipino American perspective in literature. Then there are the writers of today, like Elaine Castillo with her book America Is Not the Heart, a clear callback to Bulosan. While Filipino Americans may have different interpretations of their identities, these stories are very much in dialogue with each other.

Each story, including mine, is only a small piece in a much larger puzzle. My own perspective that only represents a tiny fraction of Filipino history. The Philippines is made up of 7000+ islands and has 120+ spoken languages. We have our own history and mythology that existed long before the Americans came and long before the first colonizers, the Spaniards, arrived as well. While colonialism has tried time and time again to erase our stories, remembering our traditions and history is how they live on. We don’t want these stories to become forgotten simply because they’re left out of school curriculums. However, I do have to take a moment to be grateful for virtual spaces, especially those for writers. While my family is no longer the only Filipino family in my city, it was online where I met my very first Pinoy friends. Together, we traded experiences, laughing at the little tics that our families share. That, too, is an important part of the story. My friends and I aren’t famous, but aren’t those cherished moments together part of our experience as well?

And well, NaNoWriMo is the perfect time to explore your own stories, isn’t it? I remember being drawn to the challenge a long time ago, when I was a tiny middle schooler who felt so lonely in the giant world. NaNo made me believe that my story truly mattered, not just to everyone in the Philippines and America, but to me, the person who all my writing is eventually for. There’s no way I, or anyone for that matter, can accurately describe the story of every single Filipino, let alone Filipino American, out there. But you can talk about your story. Personally, I want to write characters who speak Ilonggo or grew up the only Filipino in their class. Maybe your characters will speak Cebuano or Ilocano. No matter what, Pinoys will get to be main characters! They’ll have grand adventures or share quiet moments with their loved ones. We’ll share our culture, our heritage with the world.

Together, our story will be told. Dungan ta sulat!

Josie Gepulle is a longtime NaNoWriMo fan, spending her teenage years lurking on the YWP forums and procrastinating her novel writing. She loves hearing the unique stories that come from writers all over the world and believes every voice is worth listening to. She enjoys the many different forms storytelling comes in, doing everything from analyzing TV shows to drawing her favorite characters. She can be found scribbling notes or doodling with an array of pens by her side. If you’d like to learn more about Filipino American History Month, here are some more sites to explore.

10 Ways to Celebrate Filipino American History Month

National Today

Filipino American National Historical Society

FAHM Resources and Creators to learn from (IG Post)

[nanowrimo]

30 Covers, 30 Days: An Introduction

When the leaves are falling and prep time has us scrambling for November, it’s a clear sign of what’s to come next. What is it, you may ask? It’s time for 30 Covers, 30 Days, which is arguably, one of the coolest parts of the year!

What is 30 Covers, 30 Days?

Thirty lucky Wrimos will be selected to receive a unique cover for their 2022 NaNoWriMo Novel! These covers are designed in 96 hours by a group of talented and diverse professional graphic designers, recruited by our amazing 30C30D coordinator, Debbie Millman. She’s a writer, educator, artist, brand consultant and host of the radio show Design Matters.  Plus, she’s President of Sterling Brands for the last twenty years and President Emeritus of the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Your novel is in super capable hands!

Then, when November hits, you’ll get to see a new cover daily on this blog, as well as the NaNo forums and Instagram! Everyone will get to see your super cool cover! Past covers can be seen here.

I’m so excited now! How do I get a cover?

We’re excited too! All you have to do is fill out this form and nominate your own novel! Here’s some things to keep in mind:

Read over your form carefully before you submit it. You cannot edit your information after submitting it. There are ways to withdraw though! You can see details on that here.

You do not have to share your real name on the nomination form. Preferred names, pen names, or any kind of name you'd like to use is not only welcomed, but celebrated!

If you have any questions, feel free to post in the forums or send me a NaNoMail.

In the meantime, why don’t you check out the NaNo Artisans forums? You can share covers you create or see if any other participants want to make your’s!

While you’re out there in the writing world, we’ll be working hard and reading through everyone’s submissions! You’ll hear from us again soon. The submission form will be open until November 15.

Good luck!

— Josie

[nanowrimo]

Meet Our New NaNo Interns: Josie and Lena!

We feel super lucky here at NaNo HQ to be able to work with some excellent interns! Today, meet our newest cohort of interns: Josie and Lena. You’ll be getting to know them better throughout November, but today they’re here to tell you a little about themselves:

Josie, Editorial & Programs Intern:

I discovered NaNoWriMo at an important time in my life. I was in sixth grade and was known by my teachers as a lover of books, writing, and art. I never thought about combining those interests in a serious way, outside of the silly little comics I would produce.

And then I discovered there was a month-long challenge to write a novel. Anyone could do it, even if I was just a spunky twelve year old! I instantly signed up and dove right into the challenge. I don’t really remember what I wrote that year, since that word document was lost to the depths of time. I know it didn’t make any sense. I also know I didn’t even win that year. But I had fun writing way past my bedtime. I had fun drawing my characters and planning out wild shenanigans for them to get involved in. This experience with NaNoWriMo was something that would happen year after year and I enjoyed sharing that time with other young writers. 

Now, I’m an adult. I never lost my love for books, loving them so much I ended up getting a degree in analyzing them. I never stopped drawing either.

It would be a lie to say I stopped writing. I wrote plenty and I have many essays and scripts to prove that. It’s just been a while since I wrote 100% for myself, outside of a graded assignment. I started to miss that feeling of being surrounded by other writers and getting lost in the world I created. I was reminded of those Novembers long past and found myself thinking, “Hey, remember NaNoWriMo? When was the last time you did that?”

Then I saw there was a NaNoWriMo internship opening for this fall, and well, here I am, your new Editorial and Programs intern!  I’ll be writing alongside each and every one of you. It’s a daunting task and I have a lot to learn, but I know this journey will be an enjoyable one.

Lena, Marketing & Fund Development Intern:

Hello all! As someone whose been following NaNoWriMo since the age of thirteen, now that I’m starting 21 as the first Marketing & Fundraising Intern, I’ve been nothing but excited to be on this journey. I’ve been in love with stories since I was small, reading, writing, daydreaming to procrastinate my writing, all the things. My mother is Yaqui, Indigenous to a tribe from Sonora, Mexico, that later fled to the United States. In my journey to accessibility, education, and action, I’m hoping to tell stories of my family’s history and of the future of our world. It doesn’t hurt if there are magic and dragons involved though, right? My go-to stories are fairytale and mythology retellings and re-imaginings, predominantly in the fantasy genre. Give me Legendborn, Percy Jackson, or Cinderella is Dead any day! In lieu of my college career, I’ve become a full-time caregiver for a loved one. Being a part of a team that is so incredibly accommodating to that in my dream organization and being able to interact at community events has been the greatest blessing. I’m so excited to further engage with all of you this November!