“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
Writers are a funny, and in many ways extraordinary, breed. One thing I hadn’t realized when I had my own “OMG, I’m a writer!” epiphany, was how something so deeply fulfilling can also feel isolating at times. Holed up with my characters or concepts and a steaming cup of chai remains my soul’s candy. But if all you ever get is candy, you start to miss fruits and veggies.
Okay, not my best metaphor, but I bet you know what I mean!
Blogging helped assuage those gaps in powerful and unexpected ways. It still does.
Even knowing that, I was blown away by the supportiveness and community the Beauty of a Woman BlogFest VII participants stimulated. Given today’s political climate, other “this world” type factors and personal challenges I know so many of us have had in recent months and years, the fest brought a wave of light not only through story (the posts were AHH-mazing!) but through fierce support of one another. It moved me as much as the posts, which says a lot.
I’ve heard from numerous people that this year’s fest felt like the “best yet,” and while each year feels special, I can’t help but agree.
So THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, all who participated.
Extra special thanks also to Erica De Sutter for your fierce assistance and enthusiasm, to our incredible prize sponsors and to Melanie Wise, Megan Hubbel and the whole Artemis Motion Pictures crew for the fantastic Twitter party. You all added so much.
I hope you’ll all join us again next year. But first…
Here are the raffle winners!
1. Handmade accessory or craft clutch from Caroline of Mykimoona, filled with goodies
2. beGlammed electronic gift card redeemable for 1 in-home blowout or dry style
Winner: Jess Witkins
3. Original painting by Elemmar Valle
Winner: Shan Jeniah Burton
4. Professional manuscript evaluation from Jennifer Silva Redmond
Winner: Kassandra Lamb
5. Free login to season 1 of OMGyes
Winner: Wriggly Kitty
6. Skype & Style from Style by Rayne
Winner: Diana Beebe
7. The Queen Bee with patented PulsePlate Technology™
Winner: Dr. Vixenne
Kinky Sex Tips For Curious Girls by Mona Darling
Winner: Maeve Thunderchild
8. Fine art print from Maeve Thunderchild
9. Ruby Glow
Winner: Kitt Crescendo
10. B-wom: 1 Premium annual subscription
Winner: Ali Greig
Congrats, winners! Please email Erica (boawfest at gmail dot com) with your best email address and/or mailing address at your soonest convenience to get your prize within the next couple of weeks. To read more about the prizes, click here.
While the Beauty of a Woman BlogFest VII is officially over, the posts remain live on the fest page and contributors’ sites! So if you missed out, click here to enjoy the wonderful contributions.
What did you think of #BOAW2018? What did you enjoy most? What would you like to see adjusted for next year? I love hearing from you.
It’s really difficult, okay impossible, to choose just one thing I loved most about #BOAW2018 but what rushes to mind is community, the generosity of all involved. Remarkable, really remarkable. Maybe it is just current world circumstances but the connection was so dynamic this year, so empowering. It was a week of coming together as the people we are in acceptance, yes, but in such joy, too. I lost track of the number of posts that brought me to tears, not in sadness, but in celebration. What an incredible week!
It feels woefully inadequate to say only thank you to August and Erica, the bloggers, prize sponsors, and Artemis Motion Pictures, but with all my heart, THANK YOU. And speaking of joy, I am over the moon at winning a prize from Caroline at Mykimoona so of course, I’m crying, again.
As for next year, let’s all return and bring others with us. Again, thank you.
KM
That’s definitely my favorite perk, too, Karen! Thanks so much again for joining us, with those spectacular writing skills. Hope you enjoy your prize!
THANK YOU August and Erica for all your work planning and organizing this year’s BOAW BlogFest! I so enjoyed all the posts I read and found them to be so touching and inspiring. In a world where we’re so divided right now, it was beautiful to be reminded we have a lot in common, we’re searching for the same things, we’re all on journeys toward better versions of our selves, and more. Thanks for holding space for so many voices!!
I couldn’t have set those last bits better, Jess! Thanks so much for being a gorgeous part of it. Hope you enjoy your prize — it’s one Erica facilitated!
It was such a great and enlightening blog fest. I enjoyed each of the posts and met new people. Thanks for this event, August and Erica.
And congratulations to the winners!
So glad you enjoyed, AJ. We definitely all enjoyed having you!
This was definitely the best yet. And I’m thrilled to have won something! I’m already looking forward to next year.
Yay, I’m glad to hear you agree, Audrey! And thrilled that you won a prize.
August and Erica, thank you for this incredible festival of beauty! I’m super excited that I won something, too! I’m in awe of the bloggers–again this year, I learned something new, I feel inspired by others’ stories (some SO much like my own), and I have hope in humanity. Congratulations to everyone involved with this festival!
You brought so much to it, Diana! Thank you for sharing your words and heart. Your prize’s sponsor, Rayne, is one of my closest friends, BTW. Think you’ll love her!
Congrats to August on another successful BOAW! Erica, you made an awesome addition (and August’s life easier, I’m sure). I am so excited about my prize, so thrilled to participate with this amazing group of people, and honored to have read their stories. Each year BOAW gets better! Thank you, beautiful friends!
Also, August, I loved in years past when the stand out quotes from each contributor were shared…
Ha. YES! Erica definitely did that! And yay, I’m so glad you had a great time in the fest you brought so much to. Hope you enjoy your Ruby Glow, too!
I would agree that the sense of community and connection was very dynamic this year. I am so glad I had the uplifting experience of BOAW before having to deal with my brother’s surgery (which went well btw but was a bit of an ordeal for all concerned).
And thank you for the prize!! Woohoo!
Fantastic prizes for fantastic women. Congrats to all the winners. Thank you, August, for hosting such an awesome event. And thank you, Erica, for all your help in making this blog fest such a success. I still have posts to catch up on. This was the best BOAW fest ever!
I’m so glad you had a great time in the fest, thank you for this incredible festival of beauty.