Today I am visiting Susan Says describing how to find one’s voice online!
And now - you don’t want to miss the event of the year!
April 2011
A to Z Challenge!
The brainchild of Arlee Bird at Tossing It Out, the A to Z Challenge began last year with a hundred participants, including me.
This year Arlee is thinking BIG. Really BIG! Three hundred participants. He needed year to spread the word and Talli Roland, Jen Daiker at Unedited, and myself are proud to co-sponsor this event.
What is the A to Z Challenge?
It’s blogging a letter of the alphabet every day the month of April (with Sundays off for good behavior.) It begins April First with the letter A and ends April 30 with the letter Z.
And it’s more than just a challenge! It’s a way to get in the habit of blogging on a schedule. It’s a chance to gain followers. Last April, I was a new blogger and went from thirty to eighty followers in one month. But more importantly, those of us who participated became like family. We grew and stretched together. And we had a blast in the process!
So please join Arlee, Talli, Jen, and me as we set off on a quest for three hundred participants in the A to Z Challenge!
I also have several very special guest spots this week! Yes, Alex has been busy...
Wednesday I was at L’Aussie Writing talking about my publishing journey.
I’m also at Selling Books! My publisher had forwarded the opportunity to be a featured author on this site and I filled out the questionnaire last December. So I’ll be just as surprised to read it!
And special announcement:
L’Aussie also posted how authors, publishers, and readers can help Queensland. So read her post HERE for details!
I've signed up! It will be a bit like Nanowrimo, except fewer words. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI've just read your interview at L'Aussie's blog and really enjoyed it. It's so inspiring to read how you came to be published.
Elli - great analogy! And cool, I need to go take a peek at her site.
ReplyDeleteYou *have* been busy! I'll be interested to read the A-Z challenge posts and your interview. :)
ReplyDeleteA-Z was a blast last year, and I can't wait to do it again! I'll head on over to the other blogs too to get more ninja goodness :)
ReplyDeleteGreat guest post over at L'aussie!! Very inspirational and shows just what happens if you think outside the box and take chances!! Yay for you!!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to all joining in with the A-Z month of blogging!! I had a great time following those who did this last year!!!!! This year, I'll be lurking again cos that's what I do best!! LOL!!! :-)
take care
x
Thanks Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteJamie, it was a blast! Glad you're on board again.
Thanks Kitty and you should join us!
This sounds like a blast. Count me in!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the music fest though I admit I couldn't get through all the participants to comment as I had to have treatment on my back and leg.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the Ato Z hope you reach your target.
Yvonne.
I'm really excited to be joining in the fun with this challenge!!! April is going to be EPIC!
ReplyDeleteA-Z sounds very challenging! Congrats on the success of the music blogfest. It WAS great!
ReplyDeleteAn amazing idea!
ReplyDeleteOh crap. Last year I hated myself for missing this, but now I'm going to have to skip it again! ARGH. Things are moving too fast here at work, and I can't guarantee I'll have time to post six days a week.
ReplyDeleteI sure will enjoy watching and reading though!
Having posted six days a week for many months when I first started blogging, I know how hard it is. Now with other commitments, I know I would not do it justice. I'm regretful, because I'm tempted...but will have to pass. I'll enjoy reading though!
ReplyDeleteI hope you all know about whom to write about when you reach letter D :)
ReplyDeleteSigned up. Gonna do my own personal alliteration challenge again too :o)
ReplyDeleteI didn't participate last year but this time around I'm all in. Okay, off to L'Aussie now.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the blogfest. I'm all signed up. Off to check you out everywhere you are in the blogosphere today!
ReplyDeleteJust signed up.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering what I'm going to blog about when I get to Z...
;-)
Cool! I'm there.
ReplyDeleteWe're off to a rockin' start! Thanks for a great kick off post, Alex.
ReplyDeleteAnd to you lurkers and those who think they have too much going on, remember--you have two months to prepare post and schedule them in advance. It actually should be a breeze. Ellie's NaNo analogy is a good one.
Lee
Tossing It Out
What happens if we can't remember some of the letters in the alphabet? Aaaahhhhhhh!?
ReplyDeleteare you trying to kill me? I am a gluton for punishment I guess.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the music fest Alex, it rocked!
ReplyDeleteJust signed up for the Challenge.
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Very cool blogging challenge. I'm all signed up. :D
ReplyDeleteI don't know how folks manage to keep up with these kinds of themes. I tend to have my own blogging plans laid out in advance so it makes it very hard for me to get into something like this. Plus I also have days when blogging is just simply not possible given the demands of my job.
ReplyDeleteI may try that challenge!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh I signed up, hope I don't hate myself later! Last year I read so many of the A-Z posts and thought "Sure glad I'm not doing that, seems like a lot of pressure" and now here your post convinced me it was a good idea. Just when I was getting away from regular posting LOL.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of doing something like this on my own, but this way I can't back out of it at the last minute. Looking forward to the challenge!
ReplyDeleteI have your badge already on my blog, but I haven't signed up yet. Not sure if I can do it everyday. lol
ReplyDeleteYou know Betty is not a joiner, but this one has me intrigued....
ReplyDeleteYou are all over blogland! And another blogfest. Someone should crown you Blog King, Alex!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fun Music Blogfest. I loved seeing music all over the place!
I'm in and I'm off to L'Aussie's. See you there.
ReplyDeleteNancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
You know I'm in! I think this is where we met last year... awww... now we need to get all sentimental!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I understand this one. What are you supposed to blog about? Is it like A is for apple?
ReplyDeleteLots of good stuff!! Thanks Alex!
ReplyDeleteOf course, I'm in....
ReplyDeleteI already signed up at Talli's blog... What fun.. Cool Alex.... Multiple bloggers getting together to host something so fun!
So looking forward to it.
Michael
last year i was sad i missed out on the a-z challenge and thought i'd do it this year, but alas, i just no longer have the time to blog for more than 3 days a week.
ReplyDeleteBut i will be cheering you all on!
Yvonne, you know how much fun we had last year with the A to Z!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Teresa!
Matthew, don't skip it again! It's easier than you think.
Dezz - dragons?
Jessica, that will be a great combination.
Great to have you on board, Stephen!
Misha, last year I blogged about Z End!
Very true, Lee!
Bryan, we'll do a sing-a-long!
Charles, that's why we're giving people a heads up - you can plan your posts to coincide with the correct letter.
Karen, it's no pressure - takes the guesswork out of "What do I blog about?"
Salarsen, it's easy! Just plan posts in advance.
Betty, you're already blogging every day...
Hart's getting mushy!!
TS - that's it! Second day is B, and so on...
Michael, Lee needed help this year, as a hundred bloggers last year almost did him in...
Aw Falen, do it anyway!
I've only recently gone from blogging 5 days a week to 3 and now you guys are going to throw me back into the fray! I'll have to be more diciplined than ever to accomplish my "other" writing goals.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm contemplating this one, I want to thank you for hosting the music blogfest. It was great, and very good for my following.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex!
PS Thanks for clarifying the draconia thing. Your definition was much clearer than anything I found on line. xo
Your blogfest was a blast. Thanks for hosting it. Will have to see how things shake out for the next.
ReplyDeleteWoooooo! Look at all those wonderful bloggers signed up already - I can't wait! It's going to be GREAT!
ReplyDeleteI signed up on Linky. I'll try this! I'm also now heading over to L'Aussie Writing. Lots of exciting things going on for you right now. Hooray!
ReplyDeleteAnn Best, Author
Yes - the musicfest was awesome! Count me in on this one, too - thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm back from L'Aussie's. The interview was great. I got to know you better!
ReplyDeleteAnn Best, Author
may take part
ReplyDeleteHi Alex. You must be the busiest guy in the blogosphere today! Firstly, thanks for the music fest, it was a blast. Now I think blogging every day is insane and too hard to keep up with so I'm not sure what this will teach us (3 days a week is enought already!) but I can handle it for a month! I like to think outside the square so I'm going to use my travel blog and that way I can do travel-related things/countries.
ReplyDeleteYour talk is going well over at L'Aussie. Great stuff. Also thanks for the shout out re the books for Queensland. That's awesome. I hope we are inundated, gulp!
I loved the alien shot but everyone's too well behaved to comment about it.
Denise :)
ooooh, I like when you call me a dragon ...
ReplyDelete*quivers bottom lip* What about me on Friday. Oh, how soon he forgets . .
ReplyDelete......dhole
Alex I've added the Selling Books link to you L'Aussie post.
ReplyDeleteDonna, I'll drop by and see what you're snivelling about.
I'm thinking about signing up. It looked like fun last year, but I'm going to see if I can think of any post ideas first. lol.
ReplyDeleteI missed it last year, so I'm in this year :)
ReplyDeleteAhh! Scary! But I think it would be fun so ... count me in!
ReplyDeleteWendy, keep it short and simple and it's no problem.
ReplyDeleteRobyn, glad you enjoyed it. And thought you'd enjoy those definitions.
M Pax, I'm already planning one for June.
Talli, more fun because you get to do it this year!
Thanks, Ann! And you will enjoy the challenge, plus meet a lot of cool new bloggers.
Denise, i was going to include your whole description of the books for Queensland, but it was too much for today. Thanks for the opportunity! And yes, I'm a bit in over my head at the moment. More reason to bring on the A-Z Challenge.
Dezz buddy, I've got plans for you...
Donna - haven't forgotten! My next post goes up Friday morning announcing my visit to your site!
Lindsay, it's really easy once you start planning.
Lynda, that's great!
Ali, you'll really enjoy it.
I've signed up. Should be even more fun than last year.
ReplyDeleteYup, I just spelled my name wrong when I signed up. There has to be some sort of award for that one, right? No?? Darn!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking about signing up for A to Z. Sounds like fun and will keep me in gear.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to have you visit tomorrow.
I think this is going to be amazing; Last year was ground breaking, this year we will reach new heights~
ReplyDeleteCan't wait...
I put the word out today on my blog.
Hope to attract some newbies~
It is nice you, Jen and Talli are helping Lee!
The music blogfest was a ton of fun!!! :)
ReplyDeleteApril is absolute chaos for me - I don't think I'm going to be able to take part. But I will cheer heartily from the sidelines!
Haven't signed up yet! Will do tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteGood for you. Sounds like you have a lot of well deserved opportunities.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff, Patricia!
ReplyDeletePaul, that would be the A-Z CHALLENGED award!
Susan, looking forward to it! And you need to do it.
That's right, Ella - we had us some fun last year!
Jemi glad you had fun and we'll miss you during the challenge.
Doo - please DO!
Yes, the music blogfest was fun! I am fairly sure I would only manage to do A, F, Q, R and Z and would thus totally fail this other blogfest.
ReplyDeleteForgive me, I am on blogrest for this one.
:)
Alex you are a busy person. Your music blogfest was great. Looking forward to the A to Z fest as well.
ReplyDeleteMason
Thoughts in Progress
I'm definitely interested in this but am unsure if I'll have the time in April - it's final papers and exam time so it may be difficult to swing it.
ReplyDeleteJust stumbled onto your blog from someone else's, it's very cool. The A to Z challenge sounds great, I'm contemplating it, just want to make sure that I can devote the time in April. I'll be back, you have some great stuff on here!
ReplyDeleteLydia, glad you enjoyed the music blogfest. And A to Z isn't hard! You should give it a try.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mason!
Melissa - pre-schedule your posts! You don't want to miss this one.
Hey Lazarus! It's not as difficult as it sounds. Hope you can join us in the challenge.
Interesting idea .... for people who have the time to do it. Today I don't know where I will be in April and how much time I have to spend at work.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure all participants will enjoy it. Good luck!
This will be an interesting fest! I'll have to visit and see all the different topics bloggers come up with each day!
ReplyDeleteI'm signed up! And I just realized I wasn't following you; now I am. See? It's easy to fix things.
ReplyDeleteEdi, I did it last year and it made all the difference in my blog. Like Monday's music fest, it'll be fun!
ReplyDeleteHelen, I already have mine planned. Scary, huh?
Samantha, thanks!
I watched several of you do it last year - I might sign up.
ReplyDeleteWell, I do like to read the A to z challenge, but I am not big on participating. I hope you'll excuse me. I will comment and enjoy yours though.
ReplyDeleteI can't join in, I have visitors flying over...arrrgh!
ReplyDeleteHey, Alex, you forgot to make one more announcement. You made it to 500 followers on your blog! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I don't know if I'll have time to post six days a week, but this sounds like fun and everyone who participated last year seemed to love it. I'll have to see what happens . . .
ReplyDeleteDiane, join us!
ReplyDeleteCheeseboy, I hope I entertain then!
Glynis, make them blog for you.
Jeffrey, I just hit it this afternoon! I'll announce it tomorrow.
Kelly, join us! It was the best thing I ever could've done last year.
(biting my nails) I used to blog every day. Commitment seems daunting. I KNOW I can do it, but I'm afraid of trusting myself to do it. I'll think on this one--I remember coming across many blogs over this, it was fun and I sensed the unity it it.
ReplyDelete♥.•*¨ Elizabeth ¨*•.♥
I'll give the A-Z some thought. Posting isn't so much the issue as is visiting everyone 6 out of 7 days. That seems daunting.
ReplyDeleteholy wow. not sure if my comment will get lost in here, but letting you know that i followed and to get back at me.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth - do it!!!
ReplyDeleteHolly, you just need to visit a few participants. Believe me, there's no way I can visit our target of 300 blogs!
Arcita, no one's comment gets lots - thanks!
Wow, you gotta lot goin on, as usual. I'm going to be lame and watch you all blog yourselves to death over the letters of the alphabet in April and maybe, hopefully spend a little time outside in the first month of the year where we have a chance at warmth...
ReplyDeleteI have the blogfest up on my page
ReplyDeleteSure. Why not?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, it would be really helpful if you turned that badge into a grab button.
ReplyDeleteI signed up! I did it last year, and went from 17 followers to about fifty. And it was a lot of fun! See ya there! Now, off to Susan's...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Summer!
ReplyDeleteKaren, sorry, Jen's the one who made it.
Cool, Will!!
I signed up, even though it sounds a bit terrifying!
ReplyDeletehi
ReplyDeleteYvonne gave me a few choices as to who I should ask about this challenge and I picked you :)
just clarify this for me please
Does the post have to start with the letter of the day or do you post with a lot of 'letter of the day' words or do you pick a word that begins with the letter of the day and write on that?
and what happens if you can't possibly go on line everyday? I know probably nothing serious but I would like to play this right
anyways sounds like fun
congrats on your reaching 500 followers!
Laura, it's easy!
ReplyDeleteHope, I'll send you a message.
thank you Alex!
ReplyDeletecount me in!
Sounds like an interesting event. I will be curious to read the results. Referred by PK Hrezo on her delightful blog. :)
ReplyDeleteI would never have met you if not for last year's challenge, and my life would have been less rich for that.
ReplyDeleteDid you even think I would pass up an opportunity to do this year's too?
Have signed up for both my blogs, grabbed the button for both, and announced it on one.
Now, counting down!
I'm in for the challenge. Will get the button up soon. Also just got your marketing post ready for Monday!
ReplyDeleteI'm up for the challenge! Looking forward to it :D
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Jen
I'm joining you all! "X" is going to be an interesting day... :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait!
Dang it! I can't do it this year. I'll be gone for spring break much of April. I make it around to several of the posts however, and offer my support.
ReplyDeleteHi there! I'll be participating in the challenge and Lee suggested I stop by since I'm looking for followers. I look forward to "meeting" you! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm in! I hesitated initially because I'm moving house on 31st of March. But then I figured this will be great motivation to get my internet connected ASAP at my new house so I can blog, blog, blog!!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. It'll be a great way to get back to blogging about writing & back into writing.
ReplyDeleteArlee said to contact you about getting a code for the A-Z challenge. You can email me at dafeenah(at) gmail (dot)com. If you could also let me know what to do with the code that would help too. Technology is not necessarily my friend lol
ReplyDeleteJust a quick note to say hello as your newest follower and A-Z challenger. Looking forward to coming back,reading more and getting to know you.
ReplyDeleteHi all. Just wanted to say hello - I'm pretty new to blogging so thought this might encourage me not to give up! And I will try and check out a selection of other entries (though being 1100 on the list means it will be hard to get through them everyone!)
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome idea.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little late to start, but I'll definitely start following these.
Thanks for the links!
Just wanted to thank you, once again, for bringing further awareness of the alphabet. Excellent stuff and I thank you also for inspiring me to do a posting about such an awesome challenge.
ReplyDeleteTake care and happy writing.
Gary over at shy and humble klahanie.