Wednesday, January 30, 2013

A-to-Z Sign-ups and Links!

I was going to post photos from the Kim Harrison signing I attended up in Denver last night, but I've decided to save that for my Monday post, as today we're opening A-to-Z sign-ups (though it sort of started yesterday for those overseas...), and because I don't want to make it so wordless.

Yes, today you, too, can add your name to the A-to-Z linky list in order to join us on a wondrous journey of alphabetical proportions in the month of April!



A brief explanation:

The A-to-Z is a blog challenge that asks you to post every day in April, save Sundays, in alphabetical order.  So on the 1st you would post with an "A" theme, the 2nd with a "B" theme, etc.

You can choose to write about any topic for each day, as long as it has to do with that day's letter of the alphabet.  Some do themes.  Others wing it.  I've done both, but am thinking I will do a theme again this year.  No promises.

For more information on the A-to-Z, you can click HERE.

This year, due to popular demand, we are opening up categories.  You may choose to add a single category code to the end of your blog name when you sign up on the linky.  You are in no way required to do this.  I won't be, as I feel my blog fits into several categories, and I don't want to pigeon-hole myself.  If your blog fits several categories, but you want to categorize, choose the one that fits you best, or that best fits the theme people will stumble across during the A-to-Z.  Please write your code in capitals and in parentheses.

Note: If your blog has adult content, that MUST be the code at the end of your blog title.  All adult content sites must be marked as such, because we may have minors participating.

Here is a list of the codes:

1. Writing  (WR)
2. Books  (BO)
3. Film  (FM)
4. Photography  (PH)
5. Gardening  (GR)
6. Craft  (CR)
7. Art  (AR)
8. Music  (MU)
9. Culinary  (CU)
10. Lifestyle  (LI)
11. Fashion  (FA)
12. Personal  (PR)
13. Social Media  (SO)
14. Gaming  (GA)
15. Education  (ED)
16. Politics  (PO)
17. History  (HI)
18. Science  (SC)
19. Humor  (HU)
20. Travel  (TR)
21. Miscellaneous  (MI)
22. Adult Content  (AC)

Due to the length of the sign-up linky, you can find it on the A-to-Z tab above, rather than in this post.

Also, I guest posted on the A-to-Z on how to make a hyperlink signature to lead people back to your blog.  Please check it out if that's something you'd be interested in learning.

And if you'd like to help spread the word on the A-to-Z, we'd greatly appreciate it!

Hope to see you on the A-to-Z road!

Now for some links:

Accepting Submissions:

Severed Press is accepting submissions for horror novels and novellas.

Less Than Three Press is taking submissions for two different anthologies.  One has to do with messages discovered late, and the other has to do with vicious vampires, not afraid to be the beasts.  Paying markets.

Chuffed Buff Books is accepting submissions for novellas and novelettes in science fiction or science-based genres.

Blog Hops/Fests & Contests:

Beth Revis is having a Paying it Forward Contest with 21 prizes.  Check out her blog for requirements.

Horror Novel Reviews is having a monster short story contest.  $100 to the winner, plus being featured in the marquee.

Screenwriters, check out Scriptapalooza, a contest for scripts.  Any genre.  First prize is $10,000.

New Rocky Mountain Voices 2013 Competition is looking for one-act and ten minute plays for their competition.  Winning plays will be performed onstage.

Sharon Bayliss is having a World Building Blogfest that started Monday, the 18th, and goes through February 3rd (not the 34rd, like I typed the first time).  You can still sign up, even though it has already started.

Other/Of Interest:

Chuck Wendig, of Terrible Minds, wrote 25 Hard Truths About Writing and Publishing.

The 2013 Colorado Gold Conference, put on by RMFW (Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers) is seeking workshop proposals through March 15.

Howard VanEs is offering a free webinar on Cashing in with Kindle Books.  You must register.  Thursday, January 31.

Anything to add?  Any of these interest you?  Signing up for the A-to-Z this year?

May you find your Muse.

37 comments:

mshatch said...

I already signed up for A to Z :)

Tyrean Martinson said...

Great links! I'm signed up and ready to go! Thanks for co-hosting!

Daisy Carter said...

Ooh, what a great roundup of goings on! I did A-Z last year and met so many amazing bloggers - signing up for 2013 soon!

Andrew Leon said...

One week left. Do you have your story yet?

Randy said...

Good links - as usual. Thanks.

Carrie-Anne said...

I'm glad to see there are categories in A-Z this year. It was nice to click onto a blog I wouldn't ordinarily have found, but having them grouped makes it easier for people most interested in certain categories.

Unknown said...

I'm in for A to Z, checking out the 25 hard truths and passing the World Building Blogfest on to a friend :-)

Aurora Smith said...

Fun. I did this two years ago, it was super fun.

Tina said...

I'm reading all the intros and it's so fun to see each person's personality/style shine in how they promote this! Good job, dear friend.

Tina @ Life is Good
Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge
@TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Matthew and I hosted a Pay it Forward blogfest a while back.
We are going over 2000 participants this year - are you ready for that?

Shannon Lawrence said...

Marcy, woo-hoo! I saw your theme on your blog (unless I'm remembering wrong).

Tyrean, yay!

Daisy, I love meeting all the new people!

Andrew, I don't!!! I regret to say I haven't written a word in probably two weeks. I did get some editing done yesterday, but I've been too busy.

Randy, thank you!

Carrie-Anne, true! And for those who just want to visit certain categories, it will certainly simplify it.

Jenn, oh good! I hope your friend enjoys the blogfest. It looked like a good one.

RMB; LTP, I remember!

Tina, I love it, too!

Alex, ummm...maybe? ;-p

Andrew Leon said...

Well, you still have time :)

Deanna said...

Hi, this is my first time here. I've signed up and am looking forward to the challenge. Thank you for hosting!

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for hosting this blogfest! We signed up today at #337. This looks like it's going to be HUGE! Congratulations! If you haven't already, please visit our new blog at http://citymusecountrymuse2012.blogspot.com/

Chuck said...

Signed up yesterday when I found it was already open...came in 69th this year (maybe that reciprocating thing was an omen ;)).

And Shannon, exactly when is Feb 34rd?? Are you starting your own calendar! Looks like a typo I would make.

Seriously, thanks again for the hyperlink post it was very cool.

Chuck at Apocalypse Now

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing the great links... going to check them out now:)

LuAnn @ BackPorchervations said...

I am so looking forward to this challenge! Gotta keep on those toes!

Unknown said...

Very excited! Now I need to figure out what I'm gonna talk about!

Jamie @ Mithril Wisdom

Arlee Bird said...

Glad you're on board the A to Z Challenge again this year! It's a great team.

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

Cherie Reich said...

I signed up. Now I just need to write up all the posts. :D

Al Diaz said...

Wonderful team for the A to Z Challenge. Whatever the result, I'm sure I'll learn a lot. :)

Susan Kane said...

Now I am in a quandary. My writing is definitely not in many of those categories but has the flexibility to go in several: Personal, Misc., writing, to name a few. So I guess that means I have to think, right? Dang.

Christine Rains said...

I'm signed up for the Challenge. I'm excited! Ooh, you went to a Kim Harrison signing? I'm jealous. Can't wait to hear about it.

Unknown said...

I'm in and I've created my linky link signature. Thanks!

Unknown said...

It's nice that you're publicizing the A-Z Challenge. I think they're be a a lot of participation. Thanks for giving all the contest and fest links. :-)

Bill Somogyi said...

This looks like a lot of fun. I'm already thinking about a few of the letters.

Images by Bil of the 60's and 70's

Unknown said...

Just signed up for the A to Z challenge! This will be my first year, and I'm both excited and nervous [g]

DL Hammons said...

The linky list is growing like a weed! Yee-haw!! :)

Shannon Lawrence said...

Andrew, that's true!

Deanna, hi, and welcome!

Juliet, hi, will be along shortly.

Chuck, glad you posted that, hahahaha! Edited (but I left the error to amuse myself).

Tania, I hope you find something you like!

LuAnn, it will certainly do that!

Jamie, I'm pretty sure I've figured out my theme; now just to research it to be sure I can pull it off.

Lee, it is definitely a great team!

Cherie, me, too!

Al, so kind of you! I imagine we'll learn plenty from you, as well.

Susan, or you can skip categories, like me. I felt I fit into several, as well, so chose not to categorize. Totally up to you!

Christine, I can't wait to tell about it! If you ever have the opportunity, I recommend it!

Jenn, yay!

Lexa, it should definitely be fun! And no problem, I like spreading the word when I come across something.

Bill, good luck to you!

Lara, you will do great!

DL, yeah it is!!

Jemi Fraser said...

I still haven't decided about A-Z - I had a blast last year, but the challenge took up all of my writing time and I just don't think I can give it enough time this year! hard decisions.

Brian Miller said...

nice..i always appreciate your round ups of the goings on...especially submissions....

i am good friends with tina one of the admins for AZ...have not decided yet on it...hmm...

Anonymous said...

So much good stuff. I really like the idea of A2Z categories. I participated back in 2011; maybe I should climb aboard this year...

Cynthia said...

I already signed up for A to Z. Thanks for the posts you've been doing on the web site to prep us for that. My blog centers on writing and reading, so I opted not to include the initials so I can hopefully get visits from both writers and readers. =)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the links. I signed up for A to Z.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Jemi, totally understandable. I hope you can, but I do know it's very time consuming.

Brian, join us! (Said in a creepy, haunting manner).

Milo, I remember your posts when you did it, I believe. Publications? (Or I could be waaaay off base and probably shouldn't have said anything...)

Cynthia, good idea. I also do photography sometimes, historical, etc. So I skipped it, too.

Medeia, yay! Looking forward to it!

Unknown said...

This is my first year to participate in the Challenge! I am very excited to see what everyone does with it!

-Erick
A Brief Sinfonia

Shannon Lawrence said...

Erick, good luck to you!