Fall into Winter 2025 – A 50-Day Writing Challenge with Women Who Write

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, it’s the perfect season to focus on the writing that matters most to you.

Launching 12th October, Fall into Winter is a 50-day writing challenge for women and non-binary writers that gives you the time, space, and community to build a regular writing practice, make real progress, and connect with fellow writers along the way.

What is the Challenge?

You set your own writing goal.

It could be spending five minutes a day working on your Substack, editing a chapter a week of that project you want to finish this year, or writing a whole novel.

You decide.

Last challenge, we wrote more than a million words, and over 60% of challengers finished their goals, with many writers going on to secure agents, awards, funding and publication.

You’ll join a community of supportive, friendly women and non-binary writers and get words on the page during 70+ hours of mini retreats, cafe meets and Zoom calls. Plus, join our virtual weekday morning and evening sprints, and get early, discounted access to our monthly day retreats in October and November.

We’ve planned lots of Challenge fun for you, too! You can look forward to an evening of writing by candlelight* on Bonfire Night (the perfect way to get cosy and focused!) We’re also bringing back our panel, Rage Against the Page – Chapter Two, where you’ll hear from local industry experts about the barriers facing women and queer writers in 2025.

All writers who identify as women and non-binary are welcome, whether you write stories, poetry, academic papers, old recipes on napkins, journal entries on your notes app, or that novel you’ve been secretly working on since 2015! 🏳️‍⚧️✍️🏳️‍🌈

Can’t make it to Edinburgh? You can participate in the challenge virtually! All tracking, sprints, Zoom calls, and online chats are open to virtual participants, so you can join from your own cosy corner, no matter where you live.

*LED candles. The bonfires will stay outside!

How will I stay on track?

You’ll get access to our Challenge-exclusive Pacemaker tracker, so you can log your progress and celebrate your fellow challengers’ wins, too. We’ll have weekly emails dropping into your inbox with tips, tricks and tools to keep you motivated, and you can always drop into our online sprint room, open every weekday morning and evening.

There are over 70+ hours of guided writing events across the Challenge, so you’ll have plenty of time and space to get your words on the page. Join our weekly mini retreats – we’ll rotate between weekend, evening and daytime slots to make sure everyone has a chance to attend. We’ll also have early-morning and evening cafe meets, and a weekly Zoom call with sprints (cameras optional!) Plus, join us at one of our three full-day retreats – you’ll get discounted and early access to tickets!

I need extra motivation!

We know that sometimes, the blank page can defeat even the most motivated. Fall into Winter includes a range of extra accountability to make sure you finish before winter.

First up, in-person attendees will receive a Fall into Winter loyalty card: collect ten stamps and win special Fall into Winter swag!

Want to hit the nuclear option? Then sign up to be in a nuclear pair and work together to defeat your goals. If you both complete your Challenge, then you both win a prize. If one of you doesn't meet your goal, then no prizes for you! No pressure, then…

Prizes for this Challenge include books from Charco Press’ 2025 Bundle, a complementary subscription to Gutter Magazine, and even free short edits from local editors.

Nuclear pairs are a totally optional added layer of accountability, but a great way to meet a writing pal! You can sign up with a friend, or attend our opening event on the 12th October, where we’ll help you find a buddy. Both virtual and in-person challengers can pair up.

And, of course, you’ll have optional access to a WhatsApp chat just for Fall into Winter to find support from your fellow challengers.

When is the Challenge?

Launch day is the 12th October. You’ll get an information pack and event schedule in early October to help you set your goal. Then we’ll kick off with a bang at our opening event in central Edinburgh, where you’ll meet your fellow challengers and get your first words on the page. For our virtual Challengers, we’ll have an online kick-off, too!

You’ll set your pens down on the 30th November at our closing event, where we will sprint for the finish line together, celebrate our wins, and hand out prizes. Plus, we’ll host our Rage Against the Page – Chapter Two, where you’ll get a chance to hear from industry experts on the barriers still facing queer and women writers in 2025.

Ready to join? Register now!

But don't hang around. Spots are limited!

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Hello and welcome to Women Who Write! Not sure who we are? Read on below:

Welcome to Women Who Write Edinburgh. We’re an inclusive writing group for women and non-binary writers that hosts free and paid events and challenges across Edinburgh and beyond.

We welcome writers who identify as women or non-binary, who put words on the page, or who want to. You can join our meet-ups whether you write fiction, poetry, newsletters, reviews of niche fan-fiction, recipes, weather reports, romantasy, journal entries, essays, sci-fi short stories, comedy, drama scripts, zines, research papers, restaurant reviews, emails to friends, texts to family, messages to potential meet-cutes on Tinder, or something else entirely. Whatever it is, and however you write, you’re welcome to join us.

Do read our Code of Conduct before attending any of our events or participating online.