Amazing writers,
What a year this has already been, hey? Amid the ongoing uncertainty, there’s one thing I know for sure: our voices matter. And if there were ever a time to express ourselves about matters close to our hearts, it’s now.
With that in mind, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating real beauty for the sixth year running! I couldn’t think of a more appropriate time than the week of International Women’s Day: March 6 – 11, 2017.
#BOAW2017
A bit of background, for newbies (hey, welcome!):
I first launched the fest six years ago, as a thanks to the many people who offered support after I wrote about my experience with an eating disorder. The fest has since taken on a life of its own, reaching thousands of people each year, bringing a hefty dose of inspiration, education, humor and, usually, a few tears.
The title derives from a poem written by Sam Levinson, which was significant to me during my recovery. And yes, all genders are welcome!
The categories are Original (real beauty, however you define it) and Girl Boner (the beauty of sexuality).
How to participate as a blogger:
1 – Register.
To do so, simply post a comment below, mentioning your desired category — Original or Girl Boner.
In the designated fields below comment, make sure you include your website/blog link and an email you check regularly. (If you’re signed in through WordPress, this should happen automatically.) This will help ensure that your post is included, and that you’ll receive an email reminder with the fest link about a week beforehand.
You can register as late as March 1st, but sooner is better!
2 – Write your post!
Between now and March 5th, compose a blog post related to the theme of your category. As long as it’s thematic and respectful, it will be included!
Your post must include:
- this year’s logo (the image above!)
- text inviting readers to the fest, such as:
This post is part of the Beauty of a Woman BlogFest VI! To read more entries, and potentially win a fun prize, visit the fest page on August’s McLaughlin’s site between today and 11pm PST March 11th.
For inspiration, check out the last few years’ fests: 2016 2015 2014 (GB) 2014 (orig.)
For helpful hints and writing prompts, click here: BOAW2017 Rad Post Tips
3 – On March 6th, publish your post between 7 and 8am PST (or at 9am***).
Your post link and title will be copied/pasted from your site onto the fest page, in the order of sign ups.
***If you’d prefer to schedule your post to publish at 9am PST, precisely when the fest goes live, please send me the title and hyperlink in advance. (You can reply to my reminder email or PM me via Facebook.)
4 – Enjoy the fest!
The more you engage in the fest, the more fun you’ll have — and, the more likely you’ll be to win a prize! You’ll receive raffle points for contributing a post and for for commenting on all posts in either or both categories. (Specifics will appear on the fest page.)
What are the prizes, you ask???
So far, I can tell you this: they’re super special, one-of-a-kind and chock full of femme-power. Folks on my email list will get a sneak peek first! Feel free to sign up here, if you haven’t.
Ready…set….sign up! I can’t wait to share in the fest with you.
Musa Masala says
Hi!
We’d love to participate! Our wonderful contributor, Lapka Sherpa, is planning to write an Original post. Thank you!
– MM
August McLaughlin says
Fantastic. Welcome!
Susan Harper says
Me! I could write for both, but I have to choose…Original
August McLaughlin says
Hooray! So happy to have you.
Rose Nasah says
My lovely friend Susan referred me to this and it sounds amazing. I will be participating by providing an Original post. Looking forward to all the magic that will come forth from this endeavor. Thank you!
August McLaughlin says
Wonderful, Rose. Welcome! Looking forward to your post.
Kassandra Lamb says
*raising hand* Me! Me! No idea yet what I will write about but put me down for the original group.
August McLaughlin says
Woo hoo, Kassandra! So glad to have you back.
Jess Witkins says
Can’t wait! And it’s during Women’s History Month too! I will sign up for the Original! Looking forward to it! Thank you August!
August McLaughlin says
Ah, even better!! So thrilled you’re back, Jess!
Audrey Kalman says
“…one thing I know for sure: our voices matter.” I couldn’t agree more. Count me in again. This has been a wonderful inspiration–thanks for continuing it.
August McLaughlin says
It wouldn’t be the same without you, Audrey. So glad to have you back!
Audrey Kalman says
This is a picky detail, but since I use my WordPress account for my web site, there’s an extra bit to the URL to lead people directly to my blog:
https://audreykalman.com/the-blog/
Not a big deal if it’s already set up but if you’re still working on the fest announcement, you could include it instead of the general URL. I just scheduled my post to publish at 7:01 a.m. on Monday!
August McLaughlin says
Thanks, Audrey! I’ll be adding links and titles early tomorrow and will be sure to click over to the proper post. Excited to read it!
Jenny Hansen says
I’m in….for the original category.
August McLaughlin says
Woo hoo, Jenny!
Jennifer Redmond says
I think I’ll be an original, too!
August McLaughlin says
Super – welcome back, Jennifer!
Heidi Mastrogiovanni says
August, this is such a wonderful event, and I am honored and thrilled to participate! I’d like to post in the Original category.
Thank you so much for inspiring and empowering us all!
August McLaughlin says
Hooray! So thrilled you’re joining us, Heidi!
Patricia Sands says
How did six years go by so quickly? It’s always a pleasure to participate in BOAW and hang out with a group of dear friends, as well as making new ones. As usual, it’s Original for me. Thanks, August!
August McLaughlin says
Super, Patricia! So glad to have you back.
KM Huber says
Looking forward to it as always, August. Original, again.
Karen
August McLaughlin says
Superb! Can’t wait to celebrate with you, Karen.
Kim Yuhl says
First timer here. I will tackle original. Wish me luck.
August McLaughlin says
Wonderful, Kim. Welcome!!
Eunice says
YAY Kim!
Aurora Jean Alexander says
Wow…. I remember last year’s BOAW Blog fest. That year has passed quickly. Count me in again this year, August! I’m really excited.
And because they’re so many participants who signed up for “original” – I’ll do the opposite. List me on the “Girl Boner”-side.
August McLaughlin says
Fantastic, AJ! I’m so thrilled to have you, in the Girl Boner category especially.
Aurora Jean Alexander says
Wow… I figure the expectations are high then…? LOL
Kitt Crescendo says
Girl Boner for me, my friend!
August McLaughlin says
Yeah hoo! Can’t wait.
Eunice says
I’m going to jump on in! Original pool is where I’ll be swimming.
August McLaughlin says
Fabulous, Eunice! So happy to have you.
Tara Whitney says
So excited! My first time joining the Blog Fest and I’ll be in the original category!
August McLaughlin says
Wonderful, Tara! I’m so happy to have you.
Kelly Wilson says
Original!
August McLaughlin says
Woo hoo, Kelly!
Sienna Saint-Cyr says
I’d be happy to take part in either, but Girl Boner is really the best choice for me.
August McLaughlin says
Fantastic, Sienna. Really happy to have you!
Oz says
I would love to write an original piece.
August McLaughlin says
Wonderful, Oz. So thrilled to have you!
Pam says
In for Girl Boner! Excited to read all the submissions. Last year’s were amazing!
Pam says
My link: https://www.downtothere.com/blog/slo-mo-receiving-and-girl-boners
Diana Beebe says
I’m in again for the Original category! I have the beginnings of an idea for what I want to write.
August McLaughlin says
Wonderful, Diana. So jazzed to have you back!
Diana Beebe says
I just posted! Yay!
http://dianabeebe.com/2017/03/the-beauty-of-the-tapestry-of-life/
August McLaughlin says
Yay, excited to share it tomorrow!
Laura Probert says
YES!!!! me, me, me! I wanna do it! YAY!!! Girl Boner please.
August McLaughlin says
YAY! So thrilled to have you, Laura!
Kimberly Bost says
Thanks for doing this, August! I would love to participate again in the Original category!
August McLaughlin says
Love seeing this! So happy to have you, Kimberly.
Helena says
Would love to contribute an Original.
Such a good idea!
August McLaughlin says
Fabulous! Welcome, Helena.
Shan Jeniah Burton says
I missed last year – life went a bit mad, and needed me.
But, if it’s still acceptable, I have ideas for both Original and Girl Boner, and a spiffy new home where I can put one of them….but, if I only can do one, I’ll be a Boner this year! =D
August McLaughlin says
Absolutely, Shan! Two will be just fine. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Shan Jeniah Burton says
Honestly, neither can I! I hope we’re both pleasantly surprised! =D
RASJACOBSON says
I’m in. I feel like I have a lot to say this year.
August McLaughlin says
Beautiful, Renee! So happy to have you back.
Kyira Hauer says
I would love to participate! First time being a part of this and thankful for my friend who sent me your way! I will be writing an Original!
August McLaughlin says
Super, Kyira! I’m thankful your friend sent you, too.
Gayle Carline says
(Running in the door, panting) Is it too late? Did I miss the deadline? Can I still sign up? If I can, I’d like to do Girl Boner this year. If I can’t, I’m happy to read everyone else’s posts.
August McLaughlin says
You’re not too late at all! So happy to have you back – yay for GB.
Lana Fox says
Sorry I’m so late signing up! Life has been simply crazy. I’d love to be included (Girl Boner category!) via Lanafox.com! xoxo
August McLaughlin says
Spectacular, Lana! So happy to have you back.
Laura Clydesdale says
Original!
August McLaughlin says
Fabulous, Laura! Thrilled to have you.
Tabitha says
Hi August
Would love to be part of this again!
Girl Boner for me ?
Congratulations on year six!
August McLaughlin says
Woo hoo! Welcome back, Tabitha!
Amy Bernier says
I’m in for the Original category! First time! I’m excited!
August McLaughlin says
Happy to have you, Amy!
Stacey Herrera says
I am super excited and grateful to Laura Probert for sharing this delicious event with me!
Girl Boner please!!!
August McLaughlin says
Yay, welcome Stacey!
Caitlin Grace says
First timer here and looking forward to it . I’ll go for Girl Boner!
August McLaughlin says
Fabulous – welcome, Caitlin!
Mona Darling says
I will be joining! Sorry for the late notice! Girl Boner of course!
August McLaughlin says
Yay, so stoked to have you, Mona!
Tiffany says
Am I too late?? I choose original…
August McLaughlin says
You sure aren’t! So happy to have you, Tiffany.
Ingrid Schaffenburg says
Hi August! I would love to participate again in the Original category. Thanks
August McLaughlin says
Beautiful! So happy to have you back, Ingrid.
Kassandra Lamb says
Hi August. Can I get the link for the blogfest page to put in my post? My email account must have eaten the reminder email. I’ll send you the title and link for the post.
Thanks! Kass
August McLaughlin says
Hey Kass! I emailed it as well. https://augustmclaughlin.com/beauty-woman-blogfest-vi/
Rhiannon Rhys-Jones says
Hello. Whether it’s too late or not, I would like to do an Original Post. I realize it’s the 5th and I’m probably too late.
Thank you,
Rhiannon
Rhiannon Rhys-Jones says
Okay… I think I meant to say,
Whether I am in the contest or not, I would like to be considered for acceptance. I know I’m late registering. (Sorry, I am exhausted)
The post is going to be posted at 7:30 tomorrow, and this is a great idea! Thank you!
Rhiannon
August McLaughlin says
You’re in, Rhiannon! I’ll grab your link and title to share at 9am PST.
Rhiannon Rhys-Jones says
https://rhiannonrj.wordpress.com/2017/03/06/5-minute-mirror/ is the link. Thank you thank you thank you! (I’ve gotten sleep!!!)
Gayle Carline says
I’m supposed to provide a link somewhere, and in my morning haze, I can’t figure out where. Here’s the blog link–
http://gaylecarline.blogspot.com/2017/03/let-your-mind-alone.html
Sorry if I put it in the wrong place.