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Friday, February 18, 2011

We Called in Reinforcements!

First, thanks to Geof at The Man-Cave for his review of CassaStar (I'm visiting his site next Monday for a fun interview.)
And a big hug to Mary at Giggles and Guns for her five-star review and wonderful words that made my day! Mary, you're awesome, and your quest to read CassaStar would make for a riveting story

Now, the big announcement - the challenge had continued to grow, so we decided to call in reinforcements!

I’d like to welcome Candace Ganger at Misadventures in Candyland, Karen Gowen at Coming down the Mountain, Jeffrey Beesler at World of the Scribe, Stephen Tremp at Breakthrough Blogs.

The brainchild of Lee at Tossing It Out, the A to Z Challenge began last year with a hundred participants, including me.

This year Lee is thinking BIG. Really BIG! Three hundred participants. I’m thinking five hundred! In addition to the four bloggers above, 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 Lee, Talli, Jen at Unedited, Candace Ganger at Misadventures in Candyland, Karen Gowen at Coming down the Mountain, Jeffrey Beesler at World of the Scribe, Stephen Tremp at Breakthrough Blogs. and me as we set off on a quest for three hundred participants in the A to Z Challenge!
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71 comments:

  1. Misha GerrickFebruary 18, 2011 at 6:19 AM

    Oh my word it's sooo close!

    :-D

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Words CrafterFebruary 18, 2011 at 6:47 AM

    You may be right; it just may hit 500!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. RHYTHM AND RHYMEFebruary 18, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    Hi Alex amazed to see so many entries for the A to Z. It's going to be fun.
    Lovely to be back.

    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Liz PFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:03 AM

    500 for sure now! It's gonna be great!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jamie GibbsFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    This is gonna be awesome, and many time more epic than last year. I can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Alex J. CavanaughFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    I'm betting on 500!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. S.A. LarsenッFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    WOW!! Thinking really big. I'm already in. Looking forward to it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Summer RossFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    I'm already in- and this is going to sweep the blogosphere!

    ReplyDelete
  9. DEZMONDFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    how do you plan on visiting all of those 500 possible participants daily? :)

    The challenge is slowly becoming like some kind of bloggy sect with Arlee as its patriarch he he :P

    And isn't Mary just wonderful?

    ReplyDelete
  10. JulesFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    Between Lee and yourself you guys do not do anything small :) I'm in, trying to figure out the alphabet and looking forward to it :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

    ReplyDelete
  11. Emily WhiteFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    I'm in! It looks like you just might make your goal!

    ReplyDelete
  12. The Old SillyFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    Wowza - quite the band of A to Z'ers yous guys're assembling. I got enough on my plate so will not be in the race, but will certainly be following and enjoyin' it from a safe distance, lol.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Alex J. CavanaughFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    Dezz, that's why we called in reinforcements! There's not way we could visit all of those bloggers with just four of us.

    And this will be huge!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Arlee BirdFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    I like your optimism and I don't think that 500 is at all unrealistic. Great job, Alex!

    Lee
    Tossing It Out and the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2011

    ReplyDelete
  15. EllaFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    This year will be epic, my bet 333 or 555. I think I will send out some personal emails to a few potential
    bloggers. I know a few, that would enjoy this challenge~

    ReplyDelete
  16. Mary@GigglesandGunsFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    Something tells me I'm in over my head on this one!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Charles GramlichFebruary 18, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    Sounds like it's starting to snowball.

    ReplyDelete
  18. AngelaFebruary 18, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    You gave me a heart attack there for a moment until I realized there were two lists.

    I searched the second list for my name, but it was on the first list.

    This is huge! Congratulations on getting so many people on board.

    ReplyDelete
  19. ReginaFebruary 18, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    This sounds totally great. If I can get some things in order soon, I may have to participate. Right now things are too chaotic and I don't want to sign up for a challenge I may not be able to fulfill. Best wishes to all the participants so far.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Old KittyFebruary 18, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    You are all beautifully crazy and gorgeously insane!!!! :-)

    Enjoy your A-Z-ing!!!!!!!!! Take care
    x

    ReplyDelete
  21. Jai JoshiFebruary 18, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    I think it could well hit 500. You've got quite a crowd already.

    Jai

    ReplyDelete
  22. CiaraFebruary 18, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    Wow, this has grown since I signed up. Woot!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Melissa GillFebruary 18, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    Sounds like fun, but April is a bad month for me. I've got to do some yaknow, writing. But I'm sure you'll get 500.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Alex J. CavanaughFebruary 18, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    Lee, we will hit it!

    Ella, that would be great - thanks.

    Mary, you can handle it.

    Karen, you will so enjoy it!

    Angela, save the heart attack for April 1 when you see how many bloggers sign up!

    Kitty, we wouldn't have it any other way.

    Jai and Ciara, there's a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  25. AndrewFebruary 18, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    I'm still on the fence about this one....
    But a big thumbs up to those who do go through with it!

    ReplyDelete
  26. MelissaFebruary 18, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    Holy crap! There are so many entrants!!

    I'd do this but I can't. March is when all my papers and such are due in school. I just don't have the time. I hardly have the time to do three posts a week!

    ReplyDelete
  27. N. R. WilliamsFebruary 18, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    It will be challenging.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, fantasy author

    ReplyDelete
  28. Rawknrobyn.blogspot.comFebruary 18, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    You talked me into it, Alex. Gulp.
    xoRobyn

    ReplyDelete
  29. Jeff BeeslerFebruary 18, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    Wonder if we should try for 1,000 next year?

    ReplyDelete
  30. Pat TillettFebruary 18, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    I will not be participating, but I will be reading!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Alex J. CavanaughFebruary 18, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    Andrew, just go for it!

    Melissa, it's April.

    Robyn, no fear!

    Jeffrey, you'll scare the crap out of Lee with that kind of talk. But yeah, I'm with you!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hart JohnsonFebruary 18, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    This is NUTS! How will we all get all over!? I'm having trouble with the Crusade already! I think I should give up my day job and just blog all the time...

    ReplyDelete
  33. Alex J. CavanaughFebruary 18, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    Hart, welcome to my world! But that's why we called in extra help. And all we can ask is that everyone do the best they can.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Donea LeeFebruary 18, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    This event will really be amazing! Can't wait ~ :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. CopyboyFebruary 18, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    Love Man Cave. I'll give ya a read on Monday.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Ellie GarrattFebruary 18, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    A big thank you to all the hosts; I'm sure you'll do an amazing job!

    ReplyDelete
  37. M PaxFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    I'm signed up. Hope your revisions are going well.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Colene MurphyFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:30 PM

    Wow! I think there could definitely be 500 by then!! HUGE! Congrats on the awesome reviews too!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    Yay to the reinforcements!
    I reckon we could take over the world soon ;)

    ReplyDelete
  40. CandylandFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    Wow the list keeps growing! Glad to be a part of it!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Jemi FraserFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    You're getting closer to the 300! Exciting stuff :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. CheeseboyFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    243 so far?! Alright, I'll admit I'm thinking about it.

    ReplyDelete
  43. UnknownFebruary 18, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    You can do it! I think I'm on the list.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Alex J. CavanaughFebruary 18, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Thanks, Copyboy!

    Cheeseboy, do it!!

    Yes, we will hit 500!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Lydia KangFebruary 18, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    244? Holy moley. That may be the biggest blogfest I've ever seen!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Alison Pearce StevensFebruary 19, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    WOW! Definitely reinforcement-worthy. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Talli RolandFebruary 19, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    Go 500 go! That would be amazing!

    And a big YAY on your great reviews!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Alex J. CavanaughFebruary 19, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Lydia, I believe you're right!

    Thanks, Talli!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Susan Gourley/KelleyFebruary 19, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    I'm excited to be #192. Five hundred would be incredible.

    ReplyDelete
  50. DiscConnectedFebruary 19, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    Alex-

    300 is pretty cool, too, but good luck getting to 500!

    I done my part, and I'll throw another plug on my blog tomorrow

    Although most of my followers are probably already participants if I can get you one or two more, every little bit helps.

    Larry

    ReplyDelete
  51. Patricia StolteyFebruary 19, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    This is so cool! I'm doing a Weekend Scramble post, so I'll give everyone the new count and the link. Can't hurt!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Alex J. CavanaughFebruary 19, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    Susan, it could happen!

    Larry, that would be great. I plan to plug your blogfest this week as well.

    Patricia, awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague SikesFebruary 19, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    Looking forward to seeing the final total. Wow!

    Monti
    http://tinyurl.com/28gffmj

    ReplyDelete
  54. Helen GingerFebruary 19, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    This is not a challenge. It's a takeover of the Internet world. I know a takeover when I read about it, Captain Ninja Alex.

    ReplyDelete
  55. RickFebruary 19, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Helen's right- this is an internet takeover!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Alex J. CavanaughFebruary 19, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    Monti, it will be huge!

    Helen, don't let anyone know...

    ReplyDelete
  57. The Happy WhiskFebruary 19, 2011 at 11:48 PM

    Have a great time with your A to Z challenge. Thanks for stopping by earlier. Happy Writing, Alex. And of course, Happy Eating.

    ReplyDelete
  58. LisaFebruary 20, 2011 at 5:05 AM

    Wow wow wow. And the excitement I think will be uncontainable!;) I'll gear up to read my favorites!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Denise Covey February 20, 2011 at 6:55 PM

    Well Captain Ninja that's quite a band that's gathering for the A-Z! Can't wait for it to kick off! Good idea to call in reinforcements!

    Great that the reviews for CassaStar are still coming! Be good to see the revisions on the sequel over and done with!

    Denise:)

    ReplyDelete
  60. J. D. BrownFebruary 20, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Alright, I joined the A to Z challenge. We'll see how well I do. :)

    Is there a way I can post this on my blog or would you rather I link back to your post?

    ReplyDelete
  61. WritingNutFebruary 20, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    It sounds awesome! And you're halfway there! :)

    ReplyDelete
  62. Alex J. CavanaughFebruary 20, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    Ocean Girl, it's contagious!

    Thanks, Denise. Just so much pressure now. What if the sequel sucks?

    JD, you can grab the linky or link back to here, whichever is easier.

    I know, Writing Nut!!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Raquel ByrnesFebruary 20, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    So excited to hear more about your sequel. Hope you're remembering to enjoy the ride. =)

    Can't wait for the A-Z blogging challenge...Whew! Thats a lot of people!

    ReplyDelete
  64. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    I can see 300 by the end of the month, then that one huge push for 500!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Alex J. CavanaughFebruary 21, 2011 at 5:36 PM

    Thanks Raquel - I'll talk about it sooner or later, I promise.

    Stephen, we can do it!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Michelle GregoryFebruary 22, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  67. mamtcFebruary 23, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    sounds like a gr8 idea

    ReplyDelete
  68. Milo James FowlerFebruary 27, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    With Write1Sub1 already, I'm sure this challenge will send me straight to the Funny Farm. I just hope they've got a nice jacket in my size...

    ReplyDelete
  69. Alex F. FayleMarch 13, 2011 at 12:36 AM

    After a month-long break in March from blogging, this April challenge will be exactly what I need to get started again. I'm so enthused, I already have my list of topics. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  70. Matt ConlonMarch 18, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    I am intrigued. I'd like to participate, though I am a little unclear. I'd like to (and will later if necessary... I'm rather busy at the moment, unfortinately) do some more digging for clarification, but if there's a place someone could direct me to in order to more quickly find this information, I'd greatly appreciate it!

    You say: 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.

    What's that mean? I log in and put up a post with a giant A on it? (I'm doubting that)... Is it a post that just starts with the letter A, or about something that begins with A... or about the use of the letter a?

    Sorry for asking this question, as I'm sure the information is readily accessible somewhere and I probably just glanced over it... I am thick like that sometimes.

    Thanks in advance!

    ReplyDelete
  71. Ju DimelloApril 1, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    I am really bad at blogging..but just signed up! Feeling v nervous :) and excited at the same time...

    ReplyDelete