#AtoZChallenge After Survey and May Announcements

Welcome to May, A to Z bloggers! Here's what's going on right now.

1. The link to the after survey is below. Please fill it out if you did the challenge, didn't complete the challenge, thought about doing the challenge, did the challenge in a previous year, might do the challenge next year, etc. In other words, WE WANT YOU. Listen, the last few months were a real bear for the team. We had to adapt and come up with creative solutions to a lot of behind-the-scenes problems. Your feedback is the ONLY way we can know what we're doing right, doing wrong, or not doing at all. PLEASE, make time before May 18 to take the survey. Thank you.



2. GUEST POST SPOTS GIVEAWAY! What!?! Yeah, you read that right. We're giving away guest spots as a prize. To enter, fill out the after survey and check YES, that you wish to have a chance to win. Write your own, have team captain J Lenni Dorner interview you, or pitch us another idea. Use it yourself or auction it off. Any all-ages content, up to 2000 words, 7 images max. This blog has an impressive reach, as you probably know. The prize must be used between June 4, 2018 and March 3, 2019. Dates on a first come, first serve basis.  



3. Bonus good news! Filling out the survey can help you write your reflections post. It has been known to inspire discussions about what you did or did not like about the challenge. And it can remind you of what you've learned this month. For that reason, the SIGN-UP for reflections WILL REMAIN OPEN until May 18. (The same day the survey closes.) For those of you who don't know what a reflections post is, stop by on May 7 for the post with the details. 
   



4. The ROAD TRIP is coming back! This year, we're asking bloggers to pick ONE post from your #AtoZChallenge 2018 offerings and link it up. Which post that you published this year was your favorite? Start thinking about it, because the Road Trip is coming on MAY 23. (The Road Trip is where bloggers continue to visit each other from May thru March. Often, people will comment on one A to Z blog post and then surf to your latest post to leave a comment there as well.) 



5. Tee-shirts for sale. Our awesome graphics guy, Jeremy, made a tee-shirt for the 2018 Blogging from A to Z Challenge. Think how cool you'll be strutting your stuff in the only official gear of the #AtoZChallenge! Impress people with your month of blogging and blog hopping fortitude by wearing a shirt that showcases your passion for this challenge. Post selfies in your shirt using our hashtag! Randomly find each other on the street. Wear it to remind yourself that you're part of an online community. Or wear it when you're going somewhere and need something that no one else is likely to wear. Perfect attire for rock concerts or the first day of college! It also makes a cool conversation starter among those who don't know what the challenge is. 



6. Former team member DL Hammons has WRiTECLUB voting still going on all month. It's your chance to make a difference for aspiring writers. Please check it out frequently!

To take part in the survey, please click: 

https://goo.gl/forms/ov9AUyP1dJ6lhoPl2

This form will close on MAY 18.

The A to Z team recommends TimeAndDate or WorldTimeBuddy for your time zone calculation needs.
We use Midnight GMT.
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the standard by which all time zones are based. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is the time zone used for UTC. That's why we use it.




https://goo.gl/9f9mfR
Click for the MASTER LIST of all participants who signed up for the #AtoZchallenge 2018!

An A to Z List of Why You Should Do WRiTE CLUB

Was’up alphabet champions! A few of you may remember me, six years ago (which feels like a lifetime ago now) I was one of the co-hosts of the A-Z Challenge. I’ve participated in the challenge multiple times throughout my nine-year blogging adventure, but this year I’m taking this opportunity to bend your ear (or rather, eyes) about a different topic.

For the past seven years I’ve hosted a tournament-style creative writing contest and I wanted to let you know about it because 1) Most of you are writers, 2) It’s a blast, 3) There are significant prizes, and 4) It’s FREE! Here’s an A to Z list of why you should be doing it.

•        Aspiring authors can solicit a ton of feedback from a wide variety of readers.
•        Bloggers are writers, even if they’ve not written a novel. Go ahead and submit.
•        Contests (especially respected ones like PitchWars) are a fun way to make connections
•        DFW Writers Conference is a partner/sponsor of the contest.
•        Easy as pie. Submit a 500-word writing sample using a pen name.
•        Fulfilling to see your work garnish the praise it deserves.
•        Genre agnostic. Submit anything – even Poetry.
•        Help other writers refine their voice by offering meaningful feedback via votes.
•        I can do this! Keep telling yourself that and submit.
•        June 9-10 are the dates for the DFW Conference – where the winner will be announced.
•        Keep your real identity hidden by using a pen name. It’s a No embarrassment zone!
•        Last round judged by panel of celebrity judges – authors, literary agents, publishers.
•        March 12 – April 1 is the contest open submission period.
•        Newbies and seasoned writers compete against one another.
•        Only tournament-style writing contest on the internet.
•        Prizes Prizes Prizes.
•        Quintessential writing contest for writers wanting to see how they stack up.
•        Read the entries and vote on your favorite. You don’t have to submit to participate
•        Spread the word to anyone and everyone. We need both contestants and voters.
•        Thirty contestants are selected by slushpile readers to participate in daily bouts.
•        Universal appeal.
•        Voters can win a prize also.
•        WRiTE CLUB – Just Do It!
•        X-citing to the MAX!
•        Your easiest way to get your material in the hands of people who matter in the industry.
•        Zip on over to the WRiTE CLUB link to find out more information.