Monday, April 30, 2012

Z-End - A to Z Challenge

Last day of the A to Z Challenge!

My theme – I have selected a word for each day and will present to you blogger buddies who fit that description, along with movies, music, etc. My theme is to give back, highlight some awesome bloggers, and have fun in the process.

Z-END!

And today is for those that need to know it’s not the end, it’s the beginning!

Angela Brown
A single mom trying to fit writing into her busy day. Do not give up on that dream, Angela!

Katie at Creepy Query Girl
She’s had some setbacks and been at this query thing a long time. Katie, you are so close – don’t doubt who you are!

Liza at Middle Passages
She began her blog after suddenly finding herself unemployed. Liza, we’ve grown with you on this journey – keep moving forward!

Ted Cross 
An epic fantasy writer trying to find a fit. Ted, don’t give up on that book!

EPIC NINJA THANKS!

A big thanks to everyone who visited and commented during the Challenge! At over a hundred comments a day, I know I couldn’t keep up with all the new people. Thanks to those who visited the bloggers I highlighted – it was awesome to see those people with new followers from the Ninja Army.

Special thanks to the A to Z Team, starting with Arlee Bird. Lee, two years ago you invited your followers to join you on this wild ride, and a hundred of us fumbled our way through the letters. But that first Challenge changed my blog forever and I am in your debt!

It took one heck of a team to pull off the Challenge this year. Jeremy Hawkins created many of the badges and banners, and he jumped in several times to help with emails and such. Tina Downey managed the Challenge email and kept us straight with posts. Damyanti Biswas was our Twitter Master. And everyone else who helped with the project - Stephen Tremp, Jenny Pearson, Matthew McNish, DL Hammons, Shannon Lawrence, Konstanz Silverbow, Karen Gowen, and Elizabeth Mueller. You guys rock!

NINJA NEWS!

This Wednesday, May 2, is the next posting for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! I was able to clean up the list so we have a good core group of participants now. If you haven’t signed up, please join us!

Next Monday is the A to Z Challenge Reflection post. Let us know what you thought of the Challenge – the good, the bad, and the surprising.

The following Monday is my First Loves Blogfest!

And the winner of my Epic Ninja 1500 Followers Giveaway is...Arlee Bird!
Congratulations, Lee! Now is that not fitting?

Whew! We made it. Feeling sad that it’s over? Ready for a nap? Going to share your thoughts on the Challenge during the Reflections post? Ready for Wednesday’s IWSG post? (Hey, you get Tuesday off! You can do it.)

167 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey, I can't believe I'm the first to comments. Better post before someone else does.

Anonymous said...

Three bloggers I have known but slowly slipped away from over the past year. Thanks for the reminder. I'll visit them and say hello.

Nancy Thompson said...

It's yes on all counts, except the sad part. I'm relieved! I need a rest. But I'll be around for IWSG & the Reflections post & the First Loves. I'd never miss one of your parties! Thanks for the mention during the A to Z. Now it's time to get some writing done!

Unknown said...

Hi Alex,
Thank you for visitng my Z-post! You are 'First Commenter' on that post and get an extra link back to your blog. (As if you need it, Everybody knows who you are by now!)
This was my first A to Z and I completed all the posts. I'll write more on the reflection-post.
Best wishes,
Anna
of
Anna's Adornments
a.k.a.
Christina Wigren
and even 'Tinaparl' on twitter

http://annas-adornments.blogspot.se/2012/04/z-blogging-from-to-z-challenge-30th.html

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Yay! It's done. A good job was done by all!!!

Unknown said...

Thank you for following my blog too!
Anna

Unknown said...

Z-end...ha ha ha,interesting Z word. Thanks for the reminder on the IWSG, almost forgot. Great challenge this year, due to a great team. Hope the link is going to stay up for awhile because I still have many blogs to visit :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the reminder about the Insecure Writer's Group this week... Going to check out those that need to know it's not the end...

Dave said...

It's Z-end of a Z-era.

Dave
Dave Wrote This

Empty Nest Insider said...

Thanks for being such a helpful, and supportive co-host Alex! I really appreciate your frequent visits throughout the challenge! I can't believe it's time for IWSG again! Julie

Debra Harris-Johnson said...

Thanks Alex it was a great ride! I will be sure to give my thoughts. Get some rest ninja guy you deserve it!

RaveAir said...

Alex, you have choosen a quite interesting Z-word. ;)

Maybe next time you can choose the Zoltán. :D

Kyra Lennon said...

The challenge was fun, but I am very pleased we have reached the end now!

michelle said...

It was a rollercoaster ride, and I feel quite dizzy... but I had a blast!
Thanks for following my A to Z posts.
Now I'm off to sort out my Z-post which I will post later on...

Unknown said...

Congrats to Arlee for wining your giveaway!

Thanks Alex and all the other organisers, for a great A-Z Challenge!
It really was fun! I am feeling a bit spent though!

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Well Alex this is the third challenge we've completed together.
It's been another wonderful experience and thanks to you and other co-host who have done your jobs excellently.
Who'd have thought after that first Challenge we would have completed another two.
Thanks for your support not only to me but for all the other bloggers.
Yvonne.

Old Kitty said...

I'm always ready for a nap!!

Awww well done you for reaching the Z of the A!!! Yay!!! Super Cap'n Ninja ROCKS!!

Yay for Arlee Bird!!

And amazing Katie, Liza, Ted and Angela are just super cute ninjas!!

Take care
x

Sue said...

I'm glad it's over Alex. At around the middle of the month I was feeling grateful that we only have 26 letters!
Sue: An A-Z of Climate Matters

mooderino said...

Woo hoo! Back to my regular laziness. Cheers for all the hard work putting it all together. Same time next year?

mood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
The Funnily Enough

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Stephen, you were first!

Nancy, you're welcome, and thanks for hanging at all the Ninja parties.

Anna, hope you've enjoyed your first Challenge!

Siv, it will be on my blog another month and the A to Z blog for the rest of the year.

Thanks, Julie and Debra!

RaveAir, my third year with that word - never gets old.

Michelle and CM, I'm also beat.

Yvonne, we rock! Who knew we'd do this every year? Thanks and hope there are many more to come.

Kitty, you always make me smile!

Sue, good thing it's not the Chinese alphabet, huh?

Moody, same time!

Brinda said...

It was fun to see all the variety from different bloggers. I'm glad we're at Z.

SueH said...

Another challenge completed!
Many thanks to mentors and organisers keeping us all together and heading in the right direction. :-)

But it will take me months to get round everyone's blogs....!

Lisa said...

Congratulations Alex. In a way I regret on missing the fun.

Anonymous said...

Hi Alex! The A to Z Challenge has been fun. I'm glad it's over, but I am looking forward to next year.
: )

CONGRATS to Arlee on being the winner of the Epic Ninja 1500 Followers Giveaway!

Susanne
PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER

Tonja said...

I think we all deserve a nap and a few days off.

SpacerGuy said...

Its the end! Wow didn't time fly.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Awesome accomplishment for you all. Congrats on making it to Z.

Jan Morrison said...

Yeehaw! That was fun! Because I was away for a good chunk of april I've made it my next challenge to do my blog visiting in May - then I'll get to look at people's complete masterpieces! Thanks Alex for making this another fun party.
I visit Liza all the time but I'll go and visit the others on your list now too.

Gossip_Grl said...

April sure has been a wild ride. It's almost sad to see it go. Tomorrow is but another day. :) Just wanted to say, Thanks for your hard work this month to make the challenge fun.

Matthew MacNish said...

You're the most supportive friend, Alex. Congrats on making it all the way through!

Jemi Fraser said...

I love that Arlee won your contest - that's perfect! This was my first year participating - it was a lot of fun!

Rusty Carl said...

Congrats on finishing. I'm so ready for a nap. I didn't realize IWSG was coming up so quick. I'll have something ready by then I'm sure.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sue, it may take all year.

Oceangirl, there is always next year.

Tonja, starting with tomorrow.

Jan, I'll be visiting all of my new followers in May.

Thank you, Gossip.

Same to you, Matthew!

Jemi, glad you joined us this year.

Karen Baldwin said...

Great minds think alike, my post heading today is also Z-End. This was fun, but I am glad it is Z End.

Mina Burrows said...

Z-end to an awesome ride, baby! I'll pop on by to say hi to Katie and the others. :)

S. L. Hennessy said...

I'm with Mina. It's been an awesome ride. Thanks so much for co-hosting and introducing me to some awesome new blogs!!

S. L. Hennessy said...

Oh, and ps. just finished reading your book. It was so much fun and such a great way to end this challenge :)

The Angry Lurker said...

Mu only feeling is how bloody well the challenge went for you Alex! Congrats!

Susan Fields said...

I didn't participate in A-Z, but I can only imagine how wiped out you all must be. But what a great accomplishment - congrats!

baygirl32 said...

pffff... that's me taking a big breath! its over again

Unknown said...

Congratulations on this awesome challenge, Alex. You all did a fantastic job. Thank you so much for all your support this past month and always.

Congrats to Arlee! That was an incredible giveaway.

Looking forward to the IWSG. :)

Marta Szemik said...

Wasn't it great? My Z is the same as yours today. I am ready for a nap, but can't yet. Editing deadline around the corner, but I'll be back for IWSP, Reflection Post and the blogfest:)

Robyn Campbell said...

Zzzzzzzzz. Oh, huh? Oh. Liza is the GREATEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know Katie. She's cool too. I will check out Angela.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Huntress said...

It's been great and you and the others make wonderful hosts.

*neveryagainneveragain*

Dang that subconscious. I keep beating it down but...

Luanne G. Smith said...

Two A to Z's under my belt now. It's a lot of work, but a lot of fun too. I'm taking a break and then will consider blogging on some of those other topics you brought up. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm definitely ready for a nap, but seeing as I never sleep when there's daylight, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing: Reaching for the caffeine.

Great month, Alex!

StratPlayerCJF said...

Congratulations on making it through the A-to-Z blogathon!!!

Laura Eno said...

It's been an incredible month! Many thanks to you, Lee, and the rest of the team for insuring a smooth run.

Tomorrow's my only day off, huh? *need more caffeine*

Angela Brown said...

Awwww! Alex, thank you for the shout out. I'm so humbled.

And this A to Z blogging challenge may be over but it has given birth to my NEVERLOVE project. I'd been debating whether or not to query an agent or self-publish other projects I have. But NEVERLOVE sprouted its own wings, ready for me to just write the story and finally share the end to Abby and Basil's blog opera drama. So yeah, this one will be a self-published darling.

I'm soooo glad I participated this year. And this single mom is here to truly testify that dreams not only can but will come true.

Off to go get some Hot Tamales. Yes, Alex, I place my new addiction squarely on your shoulders lol!!!!

Tracy Jo said...

Yahoooooooo! What a trip. Thank you and to the whole A2Z team! Congrats to Arlee....that is perfect! See you on Wednesday for IWSG. :-)

Unknown said...

It has been quite a journey. I'm thrilled to have made it all the way through on my first time out. Now I want to keep up the momentum! :) Thanks Alex! Looking forward to Wednesday.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Leigh, you said it!

SL, thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

Baygirl, only eleven months until the next one.

Melissa thanks and you are welcome.

Marta, I've used that Z word three years in a row now.

Huntress, you'll be back and you know it!

Angela, you're welcome. And you better put Neverlove out because I want to know what happens!
I'll also take the blame for any and all Hot Tamales addictions.

Jennifer Lane said...

Alex, I'm impressed you were able to visit my blog so frequently with the numerous comments you get. Thank you! And thanks for organizing this challenge--it was great.

Tara Tyler said...

holy canolli! almost forgot about iwsg! thanks for all the links, advice, news & support! another awesome april draws to an end bringing new beginnings & friendz!

Karen Lange said...

Congrats on a successful A to Z! Congrats also to Lee for winning the giveaway! Thanks for sharing the links. :)

Happy Monday,
Karen

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Z-End of 2012 A-Z journey. Ha.

thanks for new bloggers. don't know these. will visit.

T

Claire Hennessy said...

Omg. I can't believe I made through the month without missing a letter. Yay! No idea how you manage to blog and comment so much. Thanks for co-hosting. Really great challenge and I've met so many new bloggers and learnt a ton about blogging into the process :)

Julie Dao said...

I had so much fun reading everyone's posts! Glad I didn't participate though... I wouldn't have had any time to revise!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Congrats to Arlee! And Congrats to all who completed the challenge! Many thanks to you, Alex, and the whole team!!! You rock! I'm planning on IWSG . . .although my post isn't ready for it yet. I was a bit distracted this weekend by sun, yard work, and the beagle's latest adventures. (our beagle is our trouble-finder dog)

farawayeyes said...

Have TO ADMIT, i'M GLAD IT'S OVER.

Mary Aalgaard said...

What a fantastic community you have created. I am so pleased to be part of it. And, thank you so much for honoring me with the Youthful title. Today, I'm embracing my inner child.
Go. Create. Inspire!

Play off the Page

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Congrats to Arlee. The hosts did a fine job this year.

Arlee Bird said...

Thanks to you, Alex, and all of the team. This was the best A to Z yet--I guess we are learning more each year.

So thrilling to hear that I was the winner of the Giveaway. I will send you my library details soon.


Congratulations for a successful A to Z Challenge. Hope to see you for the A to Z Reflections post on Monday May 7.


Lee
Places I Remember
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog

Maurice Mitchell said...

We had a smaller number of per-post comments, but a lot of new visitors to keep track of. I'm still working through them all. This has been an awesome challenge. I got more out this year than the previous two. Thanks to you and Arlee for your work on this.
- Maurice Mitchell
The Geek Twins | Film Sketchr
@thegeektwins | @mauricem1972

Sarah Ahiers said...

Woo hoo! Congrats to everyone who completed the challenge!

Inger said...

Just stopping by to thank you for hosting the A to AZ Challenge. It turned into a great learning experience for me on a personal level and for that I am grateful.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jennifer, hopefully I'll be able to visit more often now.

Claire, you did it! And it takes intense Ninja skills...

Tyrean, you'll have to tell us about your beagle sometime!

Mary, you are welcome!

Congratulations, Lee!

Maurice, glad you joined us.

Anonymous said...

April is over already?? ;-)

Heather M. Gardner said...

As usual you ROCK!

You all did a great job on the challenge.

Congrats Lee on winning the giveaway! Any library would be lucky to get those books!

I've had a great time. Thanks for all your support.

See you on Wednesday!

Heather

D.G. Hudson said...

I'm glad this is the last post for this blogfest. I've got part of my Reflections post ready for next week, too.

Congrats to Lee (the originator and the winner of the giveaway) and Thanks to you, Alex and the A-Z team for the Challenge and the coaching.

I follow CCG and Ted Cross already, and will check out the others. Yes, Capt'n.

I'm tired too, but it's been fun.

Morgan said...

I always laugh when I see "Creepy Query Girl" ... the name is SO great! I think we all turn a bit creepy while querying... ;)

Gwen Gardner said...

I know 3 out of 4. Will have to go visit Ted - not many men bloggers in our group (compared to the number of women). I didn't know you had so many people working behind the scenes on this. Thanks to everyone for the hard work! I didn't participate but I did a lot of visiting:)

Unknown said...

Great post! And I shall need weeks to recover! :0)

Rick Daley said...

Thanks for helping to coordinate this, I had a lot of fun reading and writing!

Sean McLachlan said...

It's been a blast! I'm still not through the list, though. With more than 1500 participants, I'm probably not the only one lagging behind!

Juliana Haygert said...

Congrats on finishing the A-Z challenge! Woot!

Tasha Seegmiller said...

Thanks for the IWSG reminder - I would have completely spaced that. I am a little sad this is over because I didn't get to as many blogs as I wanted, but I'm hoping the linky stays up for a while so I can work through later.

Bossy Betty said...

Congrats to you, Alex and to all those who completed the challenge!!!

Creepy Query Girl said...

Thanks so much Alex! You were such a fantastic host!

Annalisa Crawford said...

I'm a little bit sad, but mostly relieved. I've got new ideas bubbling, and I think having this month not thinking about them has been good - but now I'm ready!

I'm so impressed that you've managed to get to my blog day after day! (I may have said that before, or just thought it - everything's a bit of a blur at the moment lol) Thank you!

Patricia Stoltey said...

I enjoyed this year's challenge more than ever, Alex. Thanks and congratulations to Arlee.

Amy said...

Great post Alex - thank you for sharing all these great people! It's been fun following your posts throughout the Challenge! :)

Roland D. Yeomans said...

As Amy said, it has been fun following your posts this Challenge. Take some time off to heal! Have a great new week, Roland

cleemckenzie said...

Yay to Arlee Bird for winning your prize. But I think everyone won this month. I know I did, and even though I'm glad my challenge is over, I'm a bit sad, too. Here's to a bit of time off and to next year.

Jaycee DeLorenzo said...

Thanks for all you did for this challenge, as well as anyone else! I've had so much fun!

And thanks for visiting every day!

Savannah Chase said...

Great post. Congrats on making it to the end.

Rek Sesh said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rek Sesh said...

Sorry too many typos in the previous one.
Following Angela recently, will check out the others...now off to put the finishing touches to my IWSG post.
Not much to add, just a mind freeze after reading three books, two of which were not worth the server stored on. So see you on Wed, congrats Arlee.

Kittie Howard said...

Thanks to you and others for your hard work. It was a fun month.

Cassie Mae said...

Congrats to Arlee!!!! Supa awesome contest and I bet it was a whole heap of fun watching people fight for the first comment, lol.

Wanna say thanks again for including me in your A to Z. Met some freakin' awesome people 'cause of that. (Hart!)

All you hosts rock! This was great, I'm glad I decided to participate.

Whew! Now it's time for sleepy time May. *collapses on computer*

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Thanks for the reminder on the Insecure Writer's Support Group this Wednesday. I'll write my post today.

LD Masterson said...

It was a fun challenge to follow. Kudos to all.

Anonymous said...

What can I say that I haven't already? I LOVE YOU GUYS! That's what. I've had a blast. Met some amazing people and blogs on the Challenge and am so glad I signed up.
I've posted a longer message on my own blog. Simply, thank you!
oxo
http://moonwyndstudio.wordpress.com/

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

REady for Wednesday and I am taking tomorrow off from blogging. Time to start catch up.

Donna K. Weaver said...

Phew! We did it, Alex! Congrats.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Phew! Congrats,you did it, Alex. You must be tired after all this hectic blogging.

Suze said...

Al, it was so nice to read the encouraging things you wrote for that handful of bloggers at the top of your post.

Congratulations on an extremely successful and enjoyable challenge. You da man.

Julie Flanders said...

How fun that Lee won the giveaway!

Congratulations on finishing a great challenge, I loved learning about so many new bloggers through your theme. Thanks for hosting and all of the great work you guys did.

See you for the Insecure Support Group!

Nicole said...

Thanks for all your great posts during the A-Z!

Johanna Garth said...

Thanks for organizing the A-Z Alex. It's been so much fun meeting new bloggers and the posts have been amazing! (a word that handily contains both letters A and Z) ;)

Laura S. said...

Hi, Alex! Congrats to you and the entire hosting team!!! You all did an awesome job. It's been another super fun Blogging Challenge!

Have a wonderful week and happy A to Z!!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Heather, your theme rocked!

DG, glad you had fun.

Gwen, we men are vastly outnumbered. But I don't mind! And yes, we were Lee's Thirteen.

Sean, I haven't even hit a third of it yet.

Tasha, it will.

You're welcome, Katie.

Annalisa, I tried to visit my blogger buddies every day no matter what.

Roland, I'm starting with tomorrow!

Jaycee, I tried.

Rek, sorry about the bummer books.

You're welcome, Cassie! And you learned a new word that day.

MoonWynd, glad you had fun!

Rachna, I'm beat.

Suze, you da woman!

Johanna, clever!

Thanks everyone!

Unknown said...

I've had so much fun on this A-Z and I hope to publish my shorts into e-book format. Thanks for always stopping by--you rock!

Nate Wilson said...

Great job all month, Alex. Way to grow that army!

As for me, my plans are now to 1) catch up on sleep, 2) catch up with friends, and 3) catch Up on Blu-Ray. (Okay, that last one's just a joke, but I will be trying to make more progress with my Netflix queue.)

Cherie Reich said...

Congrats to Lee!

Thanks to all the A-Z hosts! It was a great time. Hope we do it again next year!

Jay Noel said...

This was tough, but I'm glad I did it. It's like getting to the finish lines after running a marathon.

Leslie S. Rose said...

i'm pretty amazed that I actually posted and visited extensively every day. Whew - what a ride.

Lydia Kang said...

Amazing job, Captain Ninja Alex! This was a huge endeavor, and I am impressed by your blogging stamina. :)

Christine Rains said...

We made it! I'm a bit sad it's over, but wow, it was such fun. I have so many things to say about the Challenge, I hope I don't make a muddled Reflections post.

LynNerdKelley said...

Congrats on finishing the A-Z challenge. I love your "Z-end." Haha! You give the nicest shout-outs, Alex. Always so upbeat and inspiring. I hope to join you guys in the challenge next year.

Leovi said...

Yes, today is the end of the challenge but tomorrow is the beginning of a new path, a path that I would still be performed together.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Clarissa, that would be cool!

Nate, I haven't gotten very far on mine this month either.

Cherie, you bet we will.

Lynda, I'm dragging but I made it.

Lynn, hope you can join us!

Liza said...

Oh Alex, I am so touched. It IS a beginning. It always has been. But it's the folks like you that keep it new and fresh and remind me the only way to go, is forward. I am so happy for you for all your successes and am always impressed with your kindness and thoughtfulness. I thank you for all your regular comments, but most especially, for this.

Liza

Alexandra Heep said...

Liza,in case you come back to read:

I was laid off 3 years ago and 3 weeks later became very ill, never recovered, and this all was just as my health insurance ran out.

All that led me to becoming a writer. It's not easy, by any means, but it is what it is. Hang in there!

Alex, thanks for being such a frequent visitor.

Yes, I will write a reflections post and be part of the First Loves challenge (already signed up).

Author A.O. Peart said...

Congratulations on finishing A to Z! It was wonderful to read all your blogs, which I did even if I didn't comment on every single one. I really liked your theme - highlighting your blogging friends was an awesome idea!

Torggil said...

Thanks Alex and the AtoZ crew. My fledgling little blog needed something like this, and so I had a blast participating.

See you next week for the reflections. I'll have to find out what the first loves post is all about.

Torggil

torggilsworld.blogspot.com.au

Li said...

Whew! We made it. High five for showcasing so many bloggers and visiting 100+ posts per day! (And how cool is it that Arlee won?)

Sonia Lal said...

I already follow some of those!

Sonia Lal @ Story Treasury

Nicki Elson said...

Congratulations to Team A-to-Z! An astounding success I'd say. I can't believe you're going to make us do IWSG this week! Such a task-master, you are. ;p

M Pax said...

Another epic April. It was fun. Great bloggers you highlighted.

Thank you to you and the rest of the team for all of the hard work.

Elise Fallson said...

And thank you for introducing so many awesome writers/bloggers and to you and the rest of the team for hosting a super challenge! This was fun and I'm looking forward to next year already. (:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Liza, you are most welcome!

Alexandra, you turned a terrible event into something positive.

Thank you, Angela!

Torggil, please join us.

Lisa, it's really cool he won.

Nicki, can't slack now!

Elise, that's great!

Martha said...

We did it Alex!!!
You have been the most awesome co-host. Thanks for everything! :)

Tracy Moore said...

Great ending to a great month of posts Alex! It's awesome that you chose to recognize fellow bloggers for your theme.

Golden Eagle said...

I am sad--though definitely ready for a blog nap. :P Though there are a lot of things going on in May so it might not last for very long . . .

A big thanks to you and the other hosts who pulled off the A-Z Challenge!

mshatch said...

definitely happy to have tuesday off. definitely.

Powdered Toast Man said...

I'm on it. Whenever you have a blogfest I always try to participate unless I took a leave of absence from the blogosphere.

Leigh Covington said...

This challenge has been such a fun experience! I'm glad I jumped in to play along. I really enjoyed myself and made some fun new friends! :)

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Congratulations, Alex! I was really impressed by the quality of posts out there. Everyone did great.

xoRobyn

Cat Lavoie said...

I had a great time doing the Challenge this year! I discovered so many awesome new blogs. Bloggers are definitely some of the coolest people around! :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Martha and Tracy, thanks!

PTM, be great to have you on board.

Leigh, that's great.

Cat, yes they are!

Carrie Butler said...

You made it! Congratulations, Alex! I'll have to join in next year. :)

Copyboy said...

Z-end? Now you're treading on my copywriter realm. And doing it well. BTW...a very successful A to Z I must admit.

Ella said...

Woo Hoo....where is zee party?!
Congrats! :D
I enjoyed it, but glad to cross the finish line with you!

Congrats to Lee! How zuitable ;D

dolorah said...

I'll bet DL is not the only one catching some zzzzz's for a while after this.

Good job everyone who participated, and hosted. What an undertaking. I'm hoping to join next year; but I'm already anticipating a scary blog list. Wow, this was amazing.

.........dhole

Helena said...

What an epic blogger you are, Alex! And so very generous. Congrats to all who made it through, from someone (me) who whimped out.

Anonymous said...

I'm so proud to have done this. Not bad for the first time. I'd love to do it again next year. Thanks to you and the team for organizing A to Z.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex .. the paper ran out on the screen ... so many comments!

Whoo hoo - what a great challenge - and so well done to Lee for kick-starting it and the team for helping and getting the word out there ..

Congratulations .. and thanks for all the help ... cheers Hilary

AuthorAlden said...

Congrats on finishing the challenge, Alex. Great job! Yours was one of the blogs I came back to each day, even while trying to jump around to all of the blogs I'd never read before.

Well done!

Jessica Bell said...

Congrats on finishing the challenge! Erm ... how come you took me off the Insecure Writer's list? I've only missed two haven't I? My post is all written and scheduled for tomorrow.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Carrie, please do!

Jesse, need to join us next year.

Zuitable - very good play on words, Ella. Party at my place this weekend.

Donna, bet there's over 2000 next year.

Helena, next year!

Medeia, hope you join us again.

Hilary, it went really well!

JW, thanks! And hope to visit others more often now that I don't have a thousand posts in my Google Reader every morning.

Jessica, are you off the list? I'm sorry! I'll get you back into place.

PR said...

Great post Alex, and how cool Arlee won. Must be fixed lol :P

Theresa Milstein said...

Thanks for helping out with the A to Z Challenge. I'm sure it was a big job!

And congratulations to Arlee Bird. Totally fitting!

J.C. Martin said...

Z end! Thanks for helping organise this fantastic event! I've discovered so many cool new blogs through the Challenge!

And this message goes to all writers out there: never give up on your dream! If you want it enough, it will happen!

Ian Anderson said...

Great work, Alex! I really enjoyed the month of April.

Christine Danek said...

Thanks for the reminder for Insecure Writers Support group, I almost forgot. This year is flying by.

Hart Johnson said...

You guys did such a fabulous job with this HUGE HUGE undertaking, and I'm AMAZED how well you got around! Thank you so much, Alex, for all you and the Ninja Army do!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Anna, Random.org picked him!

JC, wonderful message.

Hart, thank you!

Unknown said...

I was just exhausted watching all of you do the A to Z challenge! But, WAY TO GO, folks! I admire all of you for sticking with the challenge.

Alex, I especially loved how you featured your blogging buddies in each A to Z post. :))

Unknown said...

I'm afraid I cannot muster any sadness at the challenge being over - only relief! Still glad I did it, though :)

A great big WELL DONE to all the co-hosts! I bet they're all glad it's over too ;-)

Christopher Hudson said...

I had to scroll down for ten minutes to find the end of this list ... one flick of the wrist will do it on Socially Awkward. You da man, Alex.

Talli Roland said...

More great choices, Alex!

You and all the other co-hosts did a great job. Congrats on finishing the challenge!

David P. King said...

That was an epic run, Alex. A fun month of reading. If I set myself up for it, I bet I can join in next year. Thanks for hosting this awesomeness! :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Candylynn, thank you!

Rachel, I'm ready for a day off.

Thanks, Christopher. Yeah, it's like scrolling to China...

Talli, thanks.

David, I hope you can!

Donna Shields said...

I haven't visited these three yet. Going to do that now. See you on Wednesday's Insecure Writers.

Unknown said...

Well done Alex on reaching the end. Sadly I left at "S" as I had to go away. I thought I could post but I had no internet access :-(

Rick said...

You know Congress just upped the number of letters in the alphabet to 31, right?

Elana Johnson said...

Man, my deadlines forced me back offline for the last half of this, but I can't believe it's May! Crazy. I will definitely post for the support group tomorrow!

Shannon Lawrence said...

I am definitely ready for a nap! Congratulations on making it through another A-to-Z!

Shannon at The Warrior Muse, co-host of the 2012 #atozchallenge! Twitter: @AprilA2Z

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

See you then, Donna!

Susan, that's all right.

Rick, oh crap!

Elana, that's great!

Shannon, I took today off. Mostly.

Emily R. King said...

Aw, I love the shout out for Angela. She's such an inspiration to me.

Congrats on completing the A to Z Challenge, Alex!

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I just had to pop on over and see how many comments you had on your final post. Wowee!

Unknown said...

Alex :)---you rocked this challenge, as always-- and as always, I struggled :).

But I had fun, lots of it, reading, writing, commenting, and being in awe of you who had invariably left a comment on the same post before me lol... I do believe you have a colony of clones working for you somewhere, commenting and blogging away!!

Rachel Schieffelbein said...

I loved your theme for the A to Z challenge! Thanks!

Glynis Peters said...

I enjoyed the challenge of the A-Z. It was a bit hectic, as I signed up on the last day of entry. However, I made it to z!

Wonderful fun.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Karen, scary huh?

Damy, and even those clones are beat now!

Glynis, as long as you made it!

Ted Cross said...

Wow, so many comments! Thanks for the encouragement, though these days I feel like more of a sci-fi writer since that's what I'm working on. I do intend to write mostly fantasy once I get done with this, though.