August McLaughlin

Author, Journalist, and Podcaster

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The Beauty of a Woman BlogFest VII REGISTRATION!

How do you define beauty? What do you find beautiful about sexuality? I’ve been asking these questions of folks for years now, and based on the responses I’m pretty sure your definitions have little to do with someone’s shape, weight, age or size.

Each year I open up my “blog living room” to bloggers and readers eager to celebrate and explore real beauty and the beauty of sexuality. As we head into our seventh year of The Beauty of a Woman BlogFest, I hope you’ll consider joining us!

The fest is an awesome way to explore these topics, connect with new readers and fellow writers and potentially win a groovy prize! If you’d like to participate as a blogger, read on for the steps.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR RETURNING FESTERS: I’ve made some changes! Designed to make the fest a more fun and seamless experience for all. Please review the steps below, bookmark this page and jot dates down in your calendar. You can receive reminders in others ways (mentioned below), too—but providing your own reminders can go far. I don’t want anyone interested in the fest to miss out even a little bit!

How to participate in #BOAW2018 as a blogger in 6 steps:

1. Register by posting a comment below, mentioning your desired category — Original or Girl Boner. You can register until February 23rd, but the sooner the better! Early birds will get the most support and resources, plus bonus raffle points (i.e., a greater chat at winning a prize!).

2. Request to join the BOAW Festers Facebook group here! 

While not required, this is highly recommended. Led by our fabulous fest assistant, aspirating blogger Erica De Sutter (and I’ll be helping out, too!), perks of joining the group include:

  • Reminders about deadlines and such along the way, to keep you on track
  • Writing prompts and memes to keep you inspired
  • Responses to questions you may have about the fest
  • Camaraderie with fellow festers!

3. Write your post! 

Between now and March 3rd—two days before the fest starts—compose a blog post based on 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, hyperlinked to the fest page, which can be as simple as:

This post is part of The Beauty of a Woman BlogFest VII! To read more entries, and potentially win a fun prize, visit the fest page (link this to https://augustmclaughlin.com/beauty-woman-blogfest-vii/) on August’s McLaughlin’s site between today and 11pm PST March 9th.

4. Schedule your post to go live on your site at 8am PST on March 5th — or manually publish it then. (THIS IS NEW!)

This is very important, as it will ensure that all visitors to the fest page (which can be thousands per day) can access your post and that your own readers can participate fully in the fest, from start to finish. 

If you’re not sure how to schedule a post to publish at a particular time, click here for a simple WordPress tutorial. 

5. By 9am PST Saturday March 3rd, email your—not yet published—post link and title to Erica at boawblogfest at gmail dot com or by clicking here. (ALSO NEW!)

Hint: To get more reads, choose a creative title that gives readers an idea of what to expect. Feel free to include the fest hashtag: #BOAW2018 in your title.

To get inspired by previous years’ fests, visit these links: 2017  2016    2015    2014 (GB)  2014 (orig.)

6. From March 5th— 9th, enjoy the fest! Read others’ entries, post comments, share the fest page, etc.

Once the fest starts at 8am PST March 5th, your post link will appear on the fest page in the category you selected.

The more you engage in the fest, the more fun you’ll have, the more readers and writers you’ll reach and the more likely you’ll be to win a prize!

Participants will receive raffle points for contributing a post, commenting on all posts in either or both categories and sharing the fest page on Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #BOAW2018. I’ll announce the prize winners the following week on my blog. (More details to follow on the fest page!)

BONUS: Twitter Party!

Yes, there’s more! Please save the date for our first ever Beauty of a Woman BlogFest #womenkickass Twitter party hosted by the phenomenal Artemis Motion Pictures! It’ll take place mid-fest week, on March 7th from 7 – 8pm PST on Twitter. Simply hop over to Twitter and search for the hashtag #womenkickass. For more options to participate or learn how it works, click here for step-by-step instructions from Artemis. Their parties are so, so fun!

What are the prizes, you ask???

You’ll find out soon! Prizes I’m aware of so far are AWESOME. 

If you’re interested in contributing an empowering prize valued at $25 or more, email Erica. In the past we’ve had a Kindle, gift cards, manuscript editing services, organic intimacy products, jewelry, a free bathing suit from a body-positive designer and woven totes. (No diet or weight loss products will be accepted.)

You’ll have the option to share why you wanted to donate the prize you sponsor, and can even donate one in honor of someone who epitomizes “real beauty” or “the beauty of sexuality,” if you wish. If the product comes from your company, I’ll include a link to your site with the prize info.

Ready…set…sign up! Comment below, indicating your preferred category: original or Girl Boner. Then head to the Facebook group to request inclusion! I can’t wait to share in the fest with you.

Questions you’d like answered before you sign up? Let me know in the comments below! Not sure what to write about? You’ll get prompts and tips in the Facebook group.

SIGN UP FOR OCCASIONAL EXTRAS:

Reader Interactions

Comments

  15. KM Huber says

    The BOAW is always wonderful but this year…wow! For me, Girl Boner, please. Looking forward to meeting Erica and reading some incredible posts, as always. Thanks, August and Erica!

    Reply

  18. Daphne Shadows says

    Hiya! Okay, so Original. And I have no clue what I’m doing. LOL Good luck to everyone! Even though I don’t know what you will all be doing either…. *awkward blank stare*
    ;D

    Reply

  21. Diana Beebe says

    I’m in for the Original category again! I have absolutely no idea what I’m going to write about yet. LOL. I’ll think of something. (I actually thought about a GB post… I’ll PM you, August.)

    Reply

  27. Swati Singh says

    Thank you for reaching out to me, August!Humbled. I am not completely sure about the difference in the categories but surely would like to participate. I read last year’s original piece, so I think I would go with the original. I have few questions as well but I guess the FB Group shall help me with that. Looking forward.
    Love.

    Reply

      • Swati Singh says

        Thanks for clearing that up! All good to go then! I have one query though. I have messaged you on the FB Messenger. It is a little personal in nature, hence did not put it out on the public platform. Hope that is okay.

        Reply

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