by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
As bloggers, we all love to be recognized for excellence. To help make that happen, this year, I’m kicking off a new tradition here on The Write Conversation.
(drum roll please)
The 2015
Excellence in Blogging
Award
The blogs we’re looking to honor are publishing industry
blogs that help writers grow and find success. I know, a lot of places already
recognize blogs that do a good job. But I think we all look for a little
something different when it comes to recognizing a job well done. So here’s how
we’re going to approach this.
We’re going to separate blogs into 3 categories
1. Established blogs that continue to show excellence every
year.
2. Up and coming blogs that you love and expect to continue
to grow.
3. Blogs that connect to readers (fiction or non-fiction),
adding value to their lives.
Where are we going to get nominations? That’s where you come
in. YOU are going to nominate these blogs. Yes, I do have some favorites. But
I’m only one person. You all know of blogs that I’ve never even heard of. So
this is your chance to give them a shout-out.
Guidelines for Nomination
Leave all nominations in the comments section below. For the
nomination to be valid these are the things that must be included:
- The name and URL of nominated blog
- Which of the 3 categories you’re nominating that blog for. (This one is critical. If you don’t include this, the nomination will NOT be counted.)
- Why you think the blog is valuable.
This is not going to be a popularity contest. Just because a
blog gets several nominations won’t guarantee it will win an award. We will
take that into account, but it won’t be the sole consideration.
FAQs
- Yes, you can nominate more than one blog—even more than one in each category.
- No, you may NOT nominate the same blog for multiple categories.
- We can't offer much, but we will provide a winners button for the sidebar of the winning blogs. (It will be revealed with the winners)
- At this point, our plan is to have 3 to 5 winners for each category. That may change due to the number of nominations.
- You may nominate any blog EXCEPT this one. I already know you love this site. Now it's time to recognize others.
- The judges prefer to remain anonymous, but are part of the blogging team here at The Write Conversation.
How long will the contest run? We will close nominations next Monday (January 12) at
midnight EST. Remember, all comments on this blog are moderated after a post
has been up for 24 hours. You can still nominate blogs, but I will have to
physically approve the comment (and I promise I will do so in a timely
fashion).
We will announce the winners on Monday, January 19. If your
blog is a winner, you will need to email me to get a special blog button to
display in your sidebar.
Don't forget to join the conversation!
Blessings
Edie
TWEETABLES
I nominate Regency Reflections for category one, as an established blog that continues to show excellence every year. It's a great website for writers interested in writing Christian regency fiction. http://christianregency.com/blog/
ReplyDeleteThanks Whitney! I'm not familiar with this site and I'm excited to get familiar. I LOVE regencies! Blessings, E
DeleteNan Jones' Morning Glory blog at www.nanjones.com.
ReplyDeleteCategory 3
This is a blog that connects to readers on a deep spiritual level. Nan's poetry and sharing come straight from her heart, whether it is joy, sorrow, or encouragement. She shares with a depth of spirit that few bloggers manage to convey. She uses poetry, personal glimpses, and music to connect with the reader in many levels. It ministers to the soul every day, with amazing consistency.
I also nominate The Artistic Christian for category number 2 as an up and coming blog. This blog is written by John Mark Miller and provides Christian reviews, flash fiction stories, and Christian perspectives. http://theartisticchristian.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteAlways good to see bloggers promoting other bloggers.
ReplyDeleteI'm nominating John Holton's blog The Sound of One Hand Typing at http://thesoundofonehandtyping.wordpress.com/ in the #2 category of Up and Coming Blogs.
John does not always write specifically about writing or publishing but he writes about life and varied interests in a highly readable and informative style. He is committed to daily posting that regularly displays quality writing and an enthusiasm for the topics about which he writes.
For quite some time he has had an ongoing involvement with the #ROW80 blogging challenge and in 2015 John joins the co-hosting team of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.
John has a love for blogging and bloggers as well as writing and writers. I encourage everyone reading this to pay John's blog a visit, say hello, and show him your support. I think we'll be seeing a lot more of John Holton in the future as he not only has a passion for the craft of writing, but he writes some very interesting posts--and the guy is really committed to his craft.
There are plenty of helpful blogs about writing and publishing, but this is one of those blogs I find myself returning to often because it sets an example for those of us who write and blog.
Thanks
Lee
Tossing It Out
I nominate Thirdscribe http://thirdscribe.com/ for category #3 --
ReplyDeleteThirdscribe is all of the little things missing in the online book world. It connects readers and writers, but is also a community where authors help each other promote their work via social media. It's helping authors to create beautiful websites, and offers sensible tips to those trying to maintain those sites. I am not a book author, but I am a book lover--- I have my fitness blog through them, and I can see how amazing this young site is.
I would like to nominate three blogs. The first is Broken but Priceless Ministries found at http://www.erinelizabethaustin.com/blog. This blog fits perfectly in the third category, since it helps people with chronic illnesses and their caregivers to have hope, look to God in their suffering, and not give up. Three writers contribute to it.
ReplyDeleteThe second blog is My Christian Writers Conference found at http://altongansky.typepad.com/writersconferences/. For the first category. Every year it encourages and informs writers, spurs us on, and interviews writers in their journey. :)
The third one is Beebe Kauffman's blog found at http://lighthousebiblestudies.com/beebe-kauffman-blog. This blog is over a year old now, so it's fairly new. But I want to nominate it for the third category, because the majority of what Beebe posts is application from Scripture and that gives help and hope to readers. This is what's possible in life with God; this is what Scripture means and how it's relevant to life today.
Thank you, Katy
I’m nominating Cathy Baker’s blog Fragrant Ink in the #2 category: Blogs that connect to readers (fiction or non-fiction), adding value to their lives.
ReplyDeleteContemporary, yet traditional, it’s fresh, clean, uncluttered appearance combined with Cathy’s deep spiritual insight and wisdom captures your eye, challenges you thinking, and ministers to your spirit. Her sensitive and timely posts connect the reader to scriptural truths while offering excellent life application. Fragrant Ink is a sweet retreat for the hungering heart.
http://www.cathybaker.org/
Oops! Sorry. That would be the #3 category for Fragrant Ink.
DeleteI also nominate Morning Glory by Nan Jones www.nanjones.com
ReplyDeletePosting three days a week she encourages us through prayer on Sunday's as well as giving us deeper insight in the truths of God's Word throughout the week including songs to go with each post that illustrates her points.
I have two nominations for Category 1, Established blogs of excellence.
ReplyDelete_______________________
Category 1: Established blog
Lori Stanley Roeleveld, Disturber of Hobbits
http://loriroeleveld.com/
Lori Roeleveld writes blog posts "to incite the faltering believer to join the ancient adventure." Her posts always challenge me to know and love God better, and live more wholeheartedly, and more sacrificially for Him.
______________________________________
Category 1: Established blog
Jennifer Dukes Lee's blog, Dispatches from a Good News Girl. http://jenniferdukeslee.com/
Jennifer's posts have spoken great truths to me and encouraged me in my Christian walk. She is honest and loving and truth and love shine from her blog.
I'd like to nominate Writer Off the Leash. Michelle Griep really does a great job. It's informative, interesting, and short. She knows how to do it well.
ReplyDeleteWell, rats! I see that Ane Mulligan has already nominated Writer off the Leash, but I HAVE to second this nomination. I love Michelle Griep's quirky style. Definitely one of my favorite up and coming blogs! Here's the info:
ReplyDeleteURL: http://writerofftheleash.blogspot.com
Category: Up and Coming blogs
Value: Insightful yet fun!
I'd like to nominate Heather Kopp. Heather wrote the book, "Sober Mercies: How Love Caught Up with a Christian Drunk". She blogs about being a Christian alcoholic and learning to deal with her alcoholism and accept love from God and others. The comments left on her posts shows how her words resonate with her blog followers.
ReplyDeleteURL: http://soberboots.com/
Category: 1: Connects with readers and adds value to their lives
Value: Life affirming
http://soberboots.com/
I'd like to nominate Gail Purath's 1-Minute Bible Love Notes for Category 3.
ReplyDeletehttp://biblelovenotes.blogspot.com
I don't know how she does it, but Gail packs more spiritual truth into a one-minute read than most of us can do in 10. Her topics are relevant, thought-provoking, and challenging. Best of all, she's no fluff and all meat, not afraid to tackle tough issues or unpopular subjects.
Nomination: Quiet Quilter's Blog
ReplyDeleteURL: http://karla-hanns-karla.blogspot.com/
Category 3
Karla gives a complete synopsis of each book, then tells why she felt the book to be worthy of a positive review. If Karla rates a book highly, then I know it is worth my time.
For Category #1 I'd like to add the blog of Alex J. Cavanaugh to the nominations. You can find Alex's blog at http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteHe's become such a powerhouse in the blogging and writing community with his involvement in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge as well as his ever-growing Insecure Writer's Support Group. His blog is a go to place to read about what other writers are doing and new book releases. Add to that movie and entertainment news and other fun stuff with appeal to just about any interest and you have a blog that reaches out to a huge audience.
Alex deserves kudos as well as support for all that he does for others.
Thanks!
Lee
Tossing It Out
For Category #3 I offer Susan Says which is the writing blog of Susan Kelley/Susan Gourley. Her blog is found at http://susangourley.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteHer typically brief posts connect with writers as readers with helpful tips about writing, publishing and other topics in a down to earth easy manner that is easy to relate to. She also keeps her readers informed about events and new releases. Nothing overly complex in what she does, but just a writing relating to her blog audience. With recent retirement from her regular job, she is expanding her focus on her craft.
Lee
Tossing It Out
For category #1, I nominate K.M. Weiland's website "Helping Writers Become Authors" located at http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/
ReplyDeleteEven though her emphasis is novel writing, she offers valuable advice and tools for writers of all genres. Another plus, is the free ebook offered to subscribers.
I taught a creative writing class to a group of homeschooled teens recently. Weiland's site was one I could send them to, trusting it to have clean language and great material.
I love how you are doing this in categories!
ReplyDeleteFor the establish blog, I choose The Write Practice (www.thewritepractice.com) by Joe Bunting, because he gives great tips that you can actually put into use ("practice") right away.
For an up and coming blog, I choose Blots and Plots (www.blotsandplots.com) by Jenny Bravo, because she is sharing her writing and self-publishing journey in a funny, honest, and friendly way.
For a blog that connects with readers, I choose Electric Literature (www.electric literature.com) by Lincoln Michel, because he offers short stories, fun literature news, and great infographics.