Six years ago at about this time the first A to Z Blogging from A to Z April Challenge Linky List appeared as sign-ups opened. It was during that Challenge that an official A to Z Team was put together. We had realized that the A to Z Challenge was an overwhelming endeavor that required a collaborative effort of several competent and relatively well-known bloggers. In succeeding years, improvements and changes were made in order to make the Challenge more efficient as well as more rewarding to all. Change is often an obstacle for many of us, but sometimes change is the best, and at times, seemingly the only way to keep things going.
Judging by the number of inquiries about the 2017 Challenge that we've been getting in our email boxes as well as the A to Z Challenge Facebook site, many of you are wondering what's going on this year. The A to Z Challenge Blog has been inactive over the past few weeks and not a great deal has been heard from the Challenge co-hosts regarding the 2017 Challenge. In fact, not even a mention of who are the co-hosts for 2017. However the behind the scenes action has been underway as we have been addressing what the 2017 April event might look like.
As you might now be surmising, changes are coming in the upcoming 2017 A to Z Challenge!
In this current post, I am laying the groundwork for the very important announcement post that will be appearing here next Monday February 6th. There will be some vital information that we want you to be sure to read and to help us promote in order that all interested parties can be informed and provide their own input and suggestions. And of course, there will undoubtedly be questions that we can answer for you.
Can you help us get the word out?
So that the maximum number of bloggers can get this very important news, we are asking you to help us get the buzz going by announcing the upcoming post on your own blogs as well as tweeting, Facebooking, and sharing today's post as much as you can. Let's get the word out!
We want everyone who is planning on doing the 2017 Challenge to see what is in store by checking out the February 6th post. So, those of you who have already completed your A to Z posts for this year or have them in the planning stages, never fear! The 2017 A to Z Challenge will be here once again in April. There will be much more information to come on the A to Z Blog after next week's announcement so plan on visiting regularly.
Meet the 2017 A to Z Team
Part of the change for this year entails a smaller A to Z Team for reasons that should be more evident in the upcoming announcement post. Most of the Team will consist of members from the previous Team with the addition of a long time A to Z participant as well as a veteran member of Arlee's Ambassadors.
The 2017 A to Z Team is as follows:
Arlee Bird @ Tossing It Out
Heather M. Gardner @ The Waiting is the Hardest Part
Zalka Csenge Virág @ The Multicolored Diary
John Holton @ The Sound of One Hand Typing
J Lenni Dorner @ Blog of J. Lenni Dorner (first year on the A to Z Team)
Alex J. Cavanaugh @ Alex J. Cavanaugh --though no longer a full-time active team member due to his many other commitments including the Insecure Writer's Support Group (which he founded)-- will continue acting in an advisory and supporting role with his additional assistance in promoting the Challenge on his blog. My many thanks to Alex for his years of service to A to Z from its inception.
I would encourage you to visit all of the blogs mentioned above to get to know the A to Z Team and give each member a big virtual hug.
Be here next week for the big Challenge news. And please spread the word!
IT'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER GREAT A TO Z CHALLENGE IN APRIL 2017!
Thanks from your A to Z Founder, Arlee Bird...