Monday, January 14, 2013

Announcing the Official Blogging A-Z Co-Hosts!

I'm so excited about gearing up for this year's challenge!  It's the best blogging fun around, and the best way to expand your followers and find new blogs!  The people who participate (and lead) are a whole bunch of wonderful folks.  Yes, they're letting me play again.  Must have "played nicely with others" enough last year...


        So without further ado, say hello to The 2013 A to Z Team:

The A to Z Team 2013!

Arlee Bird      Tossing It Out                           @ArleeBird
Damyanti Biswas      Amlokiblogs                    @damyantig
Alex J. Cavanaugh      Alex J. Cavanaugh        @alexjcavanaugh 
Tina Downey     Life is Good                          @TinaLifeisGood
DL Hammons         Cruising Altitude 2.0             @DL_H
Jeremy Hawkins       Retro-Zombie                  @iZombieJMH
Shannon Lawrence        The Warrior Muse         @thewarriormuse
Matthew MacNish       The QQQE                      @MatthewMacNish
Konstanz Silverbow       No Thought 2 Small      @KonstanzS
Stephen Tremp        Breakthrough Blogs            @StephenTremp
Livia Peterson       Leave it to Livia                  @LiviaGPeterson
L. Diane Wolfe        Spunk on a Stick                 @SpunkOnAStick 
Nicole  Ayers      The Madlab Post                      @madlabpost


Who Are the New Team Members?

         Livia Peterson started her blog Leave It To Livia last May, heading full force into the blogging world to make her presence known in many ways including landing a place on the A to Z Team.  Her blogging niche includes movies, entertainment, and, of course, writing.  She's ready to take the blog world by storm so be sure to head on over to her blog and become friends with her now.  We think you'll like Livia.

         L. Diane Wolfe was already in the blogging circle that I fell into nearly four years ago and I feel honored to be a part of her blog circle of friends.  Diane is an expert on writing, public speaking, marketing, and promotion.  In other words, she's a valuable contact to have.  You can find her at Spunk on a Stick.  If you're not following her blog, then now's the time to head on over and do so.

        Nicole Ayers from The Madlab Post is probably a very familiar name to A to Z'ers by now.  In fact you may be wondering, "Isn't she already on the A to Z Team?"   Nicole has been responsible for our Friday posts over the past several months as she sat in as an unofficial Team Member.  Now it's official--Nicole is part of the Team.  If you are looking for some inspiration about A to Z themes you may want to check out some her previous Friday posts on that topic.  And be sure to follow her blog if you aren't doing so already.

Follow The Leaders

      The links to all of the Team blogs can be found in the list above.  If there are any that you are not yet following then hop on over to their blogs and click the "Follow" button.   You will want to check in with all of these bloggers on a regular basis for the latest A to Z Challenge news and for helpful tips about the Challenge and blogging in general.

Where's the linky?  Where do I sign up?  What do I do now?  Patience, my young padawan, patience.  The list opens 1/30.  It will be at the main A-Z Blog, and there's room for everyone.  We will not leave you in the dark, and you don't have to camp out for tickets.  Just hit the linky starting 1/30.  There is no advantage to being early on the list (except bragging rights, which of course I'm into...) but we divide the list to make sure everyone gets lots of visits, and then after the challenge is over, many of us keep going until we've been to see everyone.

OK, so what can I do until 1/30????  Pick a theme for your posts (if you want), start writing posts and scheduling them early (we'll have a tutorial about that coming soon) and SPREAD THE WORD!

P.S Yes, that's really me.  Now on Twitter. Yes, that was also me who when it first came out said, NEVER...but I also said that about facebook... I was the last to join, so you can say I gave in to peer pressure. Or that I hate being left out, or that it was time, or...yeah, the peep pressure thing is most accurate. I've read some of the tutorials...downloaded the app, set my notification, tried tweeting, but don't know if anyone got it...so I'm learning Windows 8 and Twitter at the same time.  I will admit,  I'm now following Bruce Springsteen.  Can't wait to hear from The Boss!

~Tina

P.S At the main blog is an announcement similar to this one (because I stole parts - not the other way around) that has a contact us page.  If you write to the info@ email, it comes to me, so feel free to just write me at my regular address you'll find in the sidebar!  Ask away - I'm ready to help you navigate this adventure!


17 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Our team is going to rock this year! Nicole bring creativity, Diane experience, and Livia enthusiasm.
All set to go with my theme.

Brian Miller said...

nice...i know a few of your team...best of luck this year with the challenge...

JoJo said...

Cool beans!!! Wow I better start reviewing my topic list. The way the years fly by, it's gonna be April before I know it!

Dani said...

So excited for my second year of AtoZ!!!! Can't wait to meet the new co-hosts and see what everyone is blogging about this year! Whoo hoo!

DL Hammons said...

Looking forward to another awesome year working the challenge with you! This is a great intro post!

Unknown said...

The team looks amazing! This year will be the best ever, or at least until the A to Z challenge next year.

Unknown said...

The perfect way to tackle A-Z! You're in fabulous company, too. :-)

A-Z has gotten HUGE, and I'm loving all of the creative approaches to doing it. Best of luck on the marathon!

Konstanz Silverbow said...

Tina, I am so glad you are hosting again this year! This year is gonna be fantastic and I am so happy to be a co-host again. Our team rocks!

Konstanz Silverbow
nothoughts2small.blogspot.com

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Tina .. Lee is an incredible blogger to have started this ... and definitely the A - Z challenge has to be one of the best things out there ..

I'm in and I'm so grateful to all the team leaders / hosters - you all do one fantastic job ..

Congratulations - cheers Hilary

Kern Windwraith said...

Looks like a terrific team of hosts again this year. Can't wait for April!

Jo said...

Looking forward to participating again this year.

Heather Murphy said...

YEAH! So excited to do the challenge again this year. It sounds like a great team together again. I'm glad you're back :)

Arlee Bird said...

Glad you're back Tina. You are the cohesive force that holds the organization together. Thank you!

Lee
Tossing It Out

klahanie said...

Aha Tina!

Yes, it's me, the official anti-A to Z spokesman who, rather ironically, in my lovable, good natured way, actually promotes this um challenge.

And gosh, what a fine team of folks involved with it all. Of course, my blogfest suggestions will probably not happen. Never mind, I don't care!

Hey Tina, you know I continue to be your biggest starstruck fan! :)

Seriously, all the best to those who participate and I hope that those involved do it in the spirit of interacting, sharing and caring. And not use this as a cynical exercise to just self-promote.

With respect and kindness,

Gary

Shannon Lawrence said...

Of course you played nice enough! You're fabulous!

Shannon at The Warrior Muse

Unknown said...

Tina, thanks for being you :). Would be great to co-host with you again this year!

Misha Gerrick said...

Nice!I'm still debating my themes. Can't wait, though.