Blogging from A to Z April Challenge
Two years ago, I discovered the A to Z Blogging Challenge by accident. I completed the challenge in 2011, even wrote A to Z Stories of Life and Death based on the posts. I co-hosted the challenge in 2012, and am back again co-hosting in 2013.
This year, I’m entering both my blogs: this one, and Amlokiblogs.
Most of my readers know about this challenge, but for those who don’t, here’s what it’s all about:
The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out, this challenge basically requires 26 posts in 26 days based on 26 letters of the alphabet, one post beginning with each letter during the month of April, with Sundays off for good behavior.
This challenge helped this blog go from 50 visitors a day to 150 within a month, and the numbers have never gone down since. The last two years, I’ve written flash fiction for the challenge, but this year, for this blog, I’ll do book excerpts.
As anyone who knows me at all will tell you, I live on books, and have recently begun to review them on this blog. So this April, I’m going to feature excerpts from 26 books with Titles beginning from the 26 letters of the alphabet. These could be books I’ve fallen in love with, or books by friends whose work I would recommend.
If you’re a fellow writer, with a book in the pipeline, or already published, and would like to be featured on this blog, write to me at atozstories at gmail dot com.
What will go up:
1. Name, Cover and an Elevator Pitch of the Book
2. Author Website/ contact, and Book Purchase Details
3. Your Fave excerpt (teaser) from your book : Max 150 words.
If you’d like your book to go up as an AtoZChallenge recommendation on Daily (w)rite this April, start by leaving the Title of your book in the comments below, so I know which letters of the alphabet are already taken up!
To sign up for the challenge, visit the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge site.
Yes!!! That is so cool. You are a genius. Why didn’t I think of that?
Is C taken? It’s the only letter I have.
Sure Alex, C is booked for you. Please send me an excerpt that would make a great teaser– along with everything else mentioned in the post above. It can be from either CassaStar or CassaFire
Prophecy of the Most Beautiful. So I guess, P lol
Thanks, Diantha. Send me the excerpt and other materials.
Thanks Diantha. Please choose a great teaser from your book, and send it to me with all the things listed above in the post.
I have two books: Emeline and the Mutants and The Ring of Lost Souls. I also have an upcoming novel Unremembered Things (if you need a ‘U’)
Thanks, I thinks it is best you choose one of them, and send me a great excerpt from it, along with the details required in the post above. I’d like to cover as many author-friends as possible, so one book per author would be good. You could always add links to other books you’ve written?
I’m not expecting you to take them all
I just thought I might give you the option of choosing which letter you needed 
Actually, can I take ‘E’ for Emeline and the Mutants?
As long as the excerpt is interesting, it would be a pleasure to feature it. I’ll book E for you. Please send me the material at the earliest.
Done!
Boomtown Craze – B, Mary Pax
Thanks, Mary. Send me the excerpt and everything else.
This is a terrific idea! What author wouldn’t want some promotion in such an easy way.
Lee, I always think the one thing authors can do for other authors is provide them some easy promotion. With the AZ challenge, the hits on this blog would go way up– so authors can take advantage of that
. And I get to find out about some intriguing reads. Win-win!
Please reserve S if you still have it and I’ll send you the requested material. Name of book: SKY TINTED WATER – and thank you so much!
Sure will book S for you, thanks Keta. Do send me the material at the earliest so I can start scheduling posts!
Great idea! I’d love to be a part of it. I have two novels, the first is Foreign Identity, the second is Gateway to Reality. I’d be happy to send you what you need for either.
If you want me to select one, I’d pick Gateway to Reality because I’m actually publishing that one in March so it will be my newest release.
Gateway to Reality it is, then. So G is booked. Please send me the requested materials at the earliest.
Will do! Do you have a specific deadline? I’m just asking because I send it to my editor next week, so if you don’t mind waiting 2-3 weeks, I can make sure the excerpt is polished. If not, I’ll just send it as is.
Please send it by First week of March at the latest, cos I need to schedule posts. Please drop me an email expressing interest in the meanwhile, so I have an id to contact you later.
Will do!
B,C, G, E, P, S taken so far. I didn’t expect for the list to be filling up so fast, but I’m thrilled it is.
This is a massively groovy offer!!!!!
Awesome idea. Thanks for this offer.
You’re welcome to get one of your books featured, Patricia!
I think this is a great idea! Do poetry books fit into the criteria?
I personally love poetry, so why not? It all depends on how much the audience can relate to the excerpt.
It’s a poetry book on love. I’ll send you an email about it!
What a generous blogger you are! My book title is ‘Ramblings In Ireland’.
So R or I ?
Kerry
I’m just a greedy reader! That will be R. Please send me the requested material along with the best teaser you’ve got
Thank you. I will get onto that as soon as I can.
What a great idea! I haven’t decided if I’m going to take part this year….hmmmm, need to have a think
Xx
Vikki, as a co-host, I can only say: just do it! Besides, if I could wing it (twice!), anybody can
He he he, oh, ok, I’ve signed up!
Fluffed my link up though apparently lol
Xx
Welcome on board the #atozchallenge !
Oooooo, we have a hash tag! Thanks honey xx
Does it have to be a published book? I have a complete novel, but it’s currently unpublished.
The idea is to place published excerpts so we can all find new books to read. But if your excerpt is exceptionally intriguing, we could possibly give it a go. Email me and we can chat about this?
I’m actually not sure which excerpt to include yet!
I’ll email you when I next have the chance.
Sure! We can decide based on the excerpt.
Hi,
Just a note. I see W’s now taken, so I’m not going to bother sending, since my extract probably won’t beat a published one, but thanks for considering me.
Alexandrina
Wonderful idea! I’ll take F for my latest release Fractured Soul. I will email you requested info by tomorrow. Thanks!
Cool, F is booked then. Please send me the requested material at the earliest. So B,C, G, E, F P, R, S are now taken. So that’s 8 out of 26.Still a-ways to go.
This is a great idea! I am sending you an email per your post. My book is D.R.E.A.M. Catchers.
Cool, so D is taken, as well. Please send me an excerpt and requested material at the earliest.
Shoot! I have a P, Post Rock Limestone Caryatids. Sigh.
Sorry about that Rachel — maybe you have another book with a different title?
Only one so far. Wasn’t planning to pub another till mid-year . . . and it will be a short collection of stories. Letter I. Is that taken?
No, I is still free, but whether or not an unpublished book would be featured would depend on how interesting the excerpt is. Please email me.
Can I take ‘L’ please? My new book ‘Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel)’ will be published by March, so perfect timing for some promotion! Thanks
I’ll reserve L for you, thanks for asking. But please note that whether the book would be featured depends on how intriguing the excerpt is. I already have a few romance books, and the idea is to diversify the books featured. Please send me the material at the earliest so we can discuss this.
I will send the information shortly, thank you. The novel is a paranormal romance, heavy on drama, emotion and violence, so hopefully it will suit your requirements!
Would my illustrated sci-fi novella “The Festival on Lyris Five” be suitable? I gather you don’t have anything for “T” as yet! I do understand that you need to see the book before you can give a definite yes or no.
Please send me an excerpt — I’m happy to include an illustrated scifi as long as the excerpt is a great teaser!
No thanks to the offer – I run from my books. Urk. But yes, you are a very creative person, and what a fun idea – and just wanted to say hi, and what a bright and great blog!
Thanks
My pleasure…I meant it…so good to see people taking initiatives like this!
Great idea! I would love to enter with 100 Unfortunate Days–so is the a number, so I start with O for one or U? Either is great as long I can be in
Penelope Crowe
Penelope, That is a U. Please send me requested material at the earliest.
Terrific and thanks–I’ll send everything first thing Sunday
Darn, I’ve got THE FAERIE GUARDIAN, but I see F is taken, and looks like Nick Daws 3 comments up may have taken T! Could I do AN A TO Z OF CREEPY HOLLOW FAE? It’s the ebook I published after last year’s A to Z Challenge!
PS – This is a great idea
Rachel, A is now reserved for you. Send the material at the earliest.
Thanks, Damyanti! I’m publishing my novel, ‘Visions’, early-to-mid 2013. I see that V isn’t taken yet… Would it be possible to include it please?
I’ll book V for you. Send me the requested material at the earliest, please.
A Penny Saved a Murder Earned? do you think I could be A or is that taken if not L for Love’s Labours Won? Thanks Damyanti either way.
Sheilagh, A is taken, so is L, unfortunately. But could you send me excerpts anyway? If it is more intriguing than the earlier entries it will take precedence. If it is equally intriguing , I can make an exception and post two books for one alphabet. I’m looking for diverse, intriguing books, so I’ll be interested in as many excerpts as possible for myself, and this blog’s readers.
Following are the dates and letters taken up so far.
Alphabet and Author Name + Date in April
A Rachel Morgan 1
B Mary Pax 2
C Alex J Cavanaugh 3
D Cheryl Therrien 4
E Mrs Zoomby 5
F Rachel McClellan 6
G Becca J. Campbell 8
H Shirlene 9
I Rachel Creager Ireland 10
J 11
K 12
L Spooky Mrs Green 13
M Sherry Roberts 15
N K. Mathur 16
O Rishi Vohra 17
P Diantha Jones 18
Q 19
R Kerry Dwyer 20
S Keta Diablo 22
T Nick Daws 23
U Penelope Crowe 24
V Laura Anile 25
W Brooklyn Hudson 26
X Marjorie Hill 27
Y 29
Z Frederick Lee Brooke 30
This will give the authors who have signed up, an idea of when their books would go up. Authors who have just now seen this blog post can see the blanks, and check if their book titles fit in there. If your book title begins with a letter already taken, please still feel free to post your book here, see below to understand why.
Here’s a few things I’d like to make clear:
1. The first criterion for an excerpt to be featured is whether it is Intriguing enough. If it doesn’t make me want to read the book right away, I reserve the right to postpone or pre-pone the posting of the book. The excerpt will still go up, but instead of in April, in March, or May or later, depending on the blog schedule.
2. If there are two excerpts from two authors with titles starting from the same letter, I reserve the right to choose which title goes up in April, and the other one goes up in May, or later. My relationship with the author has nothing to do with that — only my preferences as a reader. Only the most intriguing ones (in my very subjective opinion) go up in April.
3. If I receive too many entries of the same genre, I reserve the right to publish some of them later or earlier, because I’d like the April excerpts to be as eclectic as possible.
4. While I’m fine with Romance and Erotica, this blog does not feature adult content, and its readers don’t expect it, so the excerpt has to be PG 13 even if the book is not. If the book cover is too explicit, I’m afraid it can’t be featured.
5. The sooner you send in the materials, the better. I need to preschedule all posts by February because I’ll have a lot of co-hosting duties for #atozchallenge in March and April.
Hi. Is W still open?
Yes it is. If you want it, post title of your book here, and email me the materials requested.
WISHBONE
I will email the details. Thanks so much!
Thanks. Would like to have your email id as soon as possible.
Is K available? My protagonist is named Kelli. My book is Room 3 – if it is, I’ll email you my info.
K is available, but I’m afraid the challenge concept is to feature books by the alphabet based on the book title, not the name of the protagonist. Yours would be under R — but I would love to have your material any way. Please see comment above for details.
I know, but I saw R had been taken unfortunately. Still, thank you! I’ll send you my info ASAP.
YVW! Look forward to your email.
Thank you for Z Damyanti! I’ll send you the excerpt soon. Best wishes … Fred
YVW! Look forward to receiving the excerpt!
Hi Damyanti, Seems a wonderful concept and I would love to take this opportunity to participate. I have two books with an “A” and an “M”. Would like to send the details if it there’s still a possibility for the letters.
Thanks, Fayaz, for your comment. A and M are both taken– I’ll update the list asap.
What a brilliant idea – a perfect win-win. Is N taken? If not, I’d like to book it for my novel, “Never Mind Yaar”
N is now booked. Please send me the requested material at the earliest.
Hi Damyanti,
Is ‘O’ taken? My book is titled ‘Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai.’ Please check http://www.rishivohra.com for more details. Look forward to hearing back!
Rishi
Rishi, Please send me the material requested in the post above at the earliest.
Wondering if ‘M’ is taken? I have a short story in J. Taylor PUblishing’s ‘Make Believe’ which released Dec. ’12. 6 short stories ranging from fantasy to PNR.
Thanks!
Yours is the third entry for M, but I’m accepting all excerpts at he moment. The one that intrigues me the most will go up in April, the others in March or May. Please send the required materials along.
Just now saw this reply! So sorry. I’ll get the info to you ASAP. Just wanted you to know that you inspired me to do a similar theme, using books from my publisher and filling in the empty slots w/ fantasy books. GREAT idea!!
Wait wait wait. As soon as I hit post, a niggling in the back of my brain had me checking my ‘sent box’ in my email. o_O Already sent all the info back on Feb 5th.
*slap forehead*
Ignore my mommy brain please!!
Terri, I’m not sure I received your email. Could you resend it please? M is already taken, but I can feature you in May or March, as you prefer.
What a fantastic idea to feature books. Makes me wish I had written one!
I am so eager to join the A to Z challenge and am trying to figure out how to manage the posts for April 13 to 30. 
as I’ll be traveling during that time. I am trying to work out a way to write in advance and schedule, but visiting blogs will be tough.
I am thinking of including this as part of my post
Great to meet you, Damayanti!
It is okay as long as you can schedule the posts in advance for the AZ Challenge, Vidya. Visiting can wait till you come back, because the list will be up till January next year — enough time for you to visit all of them!
What a wonderful idea! Would be looking forward to read all these 26 titles, even though it might take a year or two
Well, 26 books shouldn’t take two years, Arnab
I can offer an ‘M’ for Millstones, (novel) or an ‘H’ for Humans and Other Creatures, a collection of short stories, if you’re still interested. Very creative idea by the way – good for you!
Shirlene, booking H for you, as M is already taken. Please send me the details requested at the earliest.
Do you have an opening for “M” for Maud’s House? Thanks for the opportunity.
M was taken, Sherry, but the person who wanted it hasn’t confirmed yet, so I’ll put you in instead. Please send me the requested materials at the earliest.
Is N still available for The Newstead Project? Thank you for the free publicity.
Melanie, that would be T, which is already taken. But if you’d like to send the excerpt in anyway, please do so. Please read my comment above with the list of alphabets for details.
Hi Damyanti,
Just wanted to confirm whether you received the material. Also, by when would you making the final list?
Rishi
I received your material but haven’t had time to look through it yet.
I’ll be finalizing the list by end feb.
But I’ll be publishing all excerpts, the ones that intrigue me the most in April, the others in March or May. Please let me know if you’re okay with that.
Yes I’m OK with that. I sent you just one excerpt. If you need more, please let me know. Thanks. Looking forward!
J, K, O, Q, X, Y remain. Unless there are takers from author-friends for these by end Feb, I’ll be filling them up with books I’m reading, or have read and liked before.
Can you reserve J for me? Title: Jogging Shoes. It’s a short story in ebook form available on Amazon Kindle. Thanks
The idea is to feature books, so a short story does not fit the criteria. Please let me know if you have any book you’d like to promote instead.
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Hi Damyanti,
Xeno Oaks chronicles Molly’s oddessy as she goes from a happy and loving family to Xeno Oaks, a lovely old plantation in the lowcountry of South Carolina, where she becomes the poor orphan. Her evil Aunt Tess determines to mold Molly into a proper young lady, not counting on Molly’s strong will. She finds solace in Grandpapa Britton, Sassy her raccoon, and a friend named Melody. Will Molly find peace and happiness that she is seeking? Many twists and turn await her on her journey.
Marjorie, I’ve been trying to reach you, with no luck. If I don’t receive the excerpt soon, I’m afraid I won’t be able to feature your book. Please let me know.
What an awesome idea. My letter is already taken though. Oh well.
Oh, finally saw the DM you sent me!!
Blood Orchids
Torch Ginger
Black Jasmine
Broken Ferns
Let me know which or if any! Much aloha and thanks for opportunity!
Toby Neal
Toby all your alphabets seem to be taken, but please send in whichever you prefer featured, and I’ll post the excerpt either in March, April or May. I can let you know the date it will go up as soon as I’ve figured out my schedule.
Hi! Name of my book is: Love Love
Hello Miss Damyanti, I’ve sent you an email about Jack Dawkins which I would love to have featured if you are willing to fill the remaining spots with a few new authors?
Hi Charlton, have tweeted you. I haven’t received your email.
The title of my published book is Through The Eyes Of Grace. It’s an historical fiction based on the life of my grandmother. It’s set in Oklahoma Territory in 1905.
Thanks for considering me for the letter T.
Debi, the letter T is taken, but if you would like to be featured in march or May, send along the excerpt and other details.
Oh dear. I haven’t seen your Tweet Damyanti. Shall I leave the information here?
Charlton, I’ve deleted the info from here (having retained a copy, just to be safe) because it should not be publicly visible before my post is up in April. Please, is it possible for you to mail me at atozstories at gmail dot com? I have clearly mentioned this on my post above. — Best, Damyanti
This is such a cool idea!
I know this letter is already taken, but I have an “S” book called Stonetalker. It’s a MG fantasy about a kid who has to rescue his father from the world hidden behind his school’s boiler room.
I’d be glad to send an excerpt/logline/anything else you need.
Thanks!