Blogging challenges can be fun, but they can also be surprisingly productive. I co-host the A to Z Challenge, (5 days left, sign up now!)and over the years, it has given rise to quite a few books.Have you read any of them? Given a choice, which ones would you pick? Here’s a short list of the AZ babies I can think of off the top of my head:
Doris Plaster: Home Sweet Nursing Home: An A to Z Collection of 50-word stories on Aging and Healthcare: Today’s nursing homes are no longer “rest homes,” but rather vibrant places where residents, families and friends gather, interact, and share heartfelt memories and experiences. Through a 50-word-story collection of vivid tales, Doris Plaster, LCSW, recounts the realities of life in a nursing home from her Social Worker perspective, and that of the caregivers and residents in 26 short vignettes, that are both poignant and thought-provoking.
Melanie Lee: Imaginary friends : 26Fables for the Kids in US: Imaginary Friends is a collection or 26 short stories in alphabetical order and is exclusively available as an e-book. Author Melanie Lee and illustrator Sheryl Khor are childhood friends who used to imagine that their stationery and water bottles had names and personalities, and would come up with adventurous plotlines for their “imaginary friends”. Inspired by such fond memories from their childhood, they decided to collaborate in producing this e-book as a legacy for their children. At first glance, Imaginary Friends may look like a typical children’s book. However, upon closer reading, you will find that its sophisticated wit and references to modern culture makes it an enjoyable read for teens and adults who are young at heart.
Pamela D Williams: A to Z Devotions for Writers : A to Z Devotions for Writers will meet the specific spiritual needs of writers. Covering each letter of the alphabet, these devotions offer pertinent scriptures, meditations focused on various aspects of the writing life, relevant prayers and “block” busting writing applications. Written to inspire, encourage, challenge, and motivate writers, A to Z Devotions for Writers will not only drive pen to paper but will apply God’s truths to writing.
Christine Rains: Fearless: Abby White was seven years old when she killed the monster under her bed. Now she slays creatures spawned by the fertile imaginations of children, and the number of these nightmares are on the rise. Neither she nor her guide – a stuffed hippo named Tawa – know why. When she rescues Demetrius from an iron prison, he pledges his life to protect hers until he can return the favor. She doesn’t want the help. And how can she concentrate on her job when the gorgeous wild fae throws himself in front of her during every fight? No matter how tempting, she can’t give in to him. To save the children and all she loves, Abby must be truly Fearless.
Rachel Morgan: A to Z of Creepy Hollow Fae: Violet, a seventeen-year-old faerie, spends every day learning how to protect humans from dangerous magical creatures. Catch a glimpse of 26 of her assignments as she battles elves, ogres, and more.
Cherie Reich: A to Z Flashes of Foxwick: In honor of the A to Z Blogging Challenge, A to Z Flashes of Foxwick gives a glimpse to the characters, magical creatures, and lands in the fantasy world of the Kingdom of Foxwick. A young dragon befriends a dragon seer. A phoenix bursts into flames in mid-flight. A man must choose between his simple life and one of fame. A queen will find her heart turned into ice and many more!
Angela Brown: Neverlove : For a girl born of privilege and a young man bred for status, a lack of real love had everything to do with the drastic changes of their lives. Abigail – Abused to the point of defeat, seventeen doesn’t seem a bad age to die. Surviving suicide leads her to a second chance at V’Salicus Academy to become a Cleanser, a protector of lost souls. Basil – Perfection is the key to earning his parents’ love. A slip of the tongue lands him in service to hell as the devil’s newest Harvestor, a collector of lost souls to feed his new master’s constant craving.
D Biswas: A to Z Stories of Life and Death: Twenty-six A to Z stories, based on the twenty-six letters of the alphabet, question our moral compass: How do you judge a teacher toying with the sexuality of her teenaged student? A boy who decides to murder his mother? What thoughts rage inside a pedophile serial killer before he shoots himself? They challenge the concepts of beauty, truth, and morality, by revealing the face of the other side.
That last book is mine, and continues to sell in a trickle, a fact that never ceases to surprise me. This year, like I said in my Theme reveal, I’m planning to write stories again. Not that they will necessarily lead to a book. I wrote stories in 2012 as well, but just let them hang around. We’ll see.
Now back to my question: Have you read any of the above books? Did you write a book based on the A to Z Challenge? Care to tell us about it? Can you add more books to the list..I’m sure there are AZ books I missed out. Have you taken part in the April blogging challenge before? Have you signed up for the challenge this year?
Wow what amazing collection
I’ve not read any of these books, will try to from May.
My theme, ‘26 Positive Takes on Life’ will generally focus on positive, truly heart-warming, real-life incidents involving ordinary persons whom we can all emulate.
This looks like an interesting set of books. Just wanted to say thanks for following my blog. 🙂
I have not read any of the books, but there are some that definitely sound interesting (such as Imaginary Friends: 26 Fables for Kids in the US). The A-Z challenge sounds fun, I will consider participating in the future!
Followed & on my blog roll!
I am pleased to announce that you have been awarded the Shauny Award for Blogging Excellence! 🙂
Warm Regards,
James
Reblogged this on modalalien.
Thank you for this post – I only found out about the A to Z Challenge through you! I have just signed up and am now terrified and excited all at once!
Really loving your blog x
Welcome on board! The more we have, the merrier!
I considered this challenge once which I learned about, visiting your blog. But when I’m writing a book and posting in my blogs, I find it hard to do much else. I can’t even do social media, and life intrudes in unexpected ways. But 100 words–maybe that’s doable. Hmmmm!
Thanks for visiting my blog and liking one of my posts.
I started looking at these. Bad idea. It makes me want to do a whole other A to Z based on a completely different theme. Grrr, my creative juices. Starting to wish this challenge was twice a year.
I was interested to read of these as I completed an A-Z last year and am in the process of getting it published – either with a publisher or I will self-publish. It’s entitled: Slowing Down in the Fast Lane: From Adventure to Zen and Everything in Between. It’s a memoir-style life adventure story. On to the A-Z blogging challenge, I got the badge on my site – is that all I need to do? How do my posts link in to the overall challenge?
Thanks for the awesome post, Damyanti. Can’t wait to be part of the challenge and it’s my first. April gonna be truly special:)
I read two on the list–counting yours! I also published a book that was inspired by A-Z–my comedic wine book called EVOLUTION OF A WINE DRINKER! http://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Wine-Drinker-learning-Legally/dp/0989760014/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395860831&sr=8-1&keywords=alicia+bien
I’m doing the A-Z Challenge again this year.
great challenge
Wow I haven’t read any of these. The nursing home one sounds especially interesting, and I’m adding it to my reading list. Thanks for the suggestions!
Hi Damyanti, no, I’m afraid I haven’t read any of these – I’m a newborn in the bloggerverse, started my own blog slightly less than a month ago and never heard of this challenge before reading about it in some blogs. Reading about it again here (since I’m following) has inspired me to participate (http://amosmcarpenter.com/2014/03/26/a-to-z-challenge-accepted/), so thanks… although I’m not quite sure what to expect. 🙂
Have not read these. Sigh… I thought that I had signed up for the A-Z challenge, but I cannot find my blog on the list….
Rajiv, open the sign up list, and use Edit > Find to search for the name of the blog you entered. It could have been deleted in error as well because we’re currently in the process of checking all the blogs and deleting spam.
If your blog name truly can’t be found, just sign up again, and this time remember the number at which your blog entered, so it will be easier to find.
If you still have problems, hit the contact tab and email us.
Wow! People are so inventive with the challenge themes and ideas, I’ve not read any of the books, but know a couple of the author’s work.
Hey Rosie! All the best for your challenge — you’re promoting books this time around as well, right?
You describe the books well. I certainly would like to read yours. The problem is in India books selected to be sold here are very mainstream and well known authors. I don’t use a credit card so ordering online is out. Where else do you sell? The other books look worth reading too. I think you are a serious type of person….good for you.
Those are the book blurbs. If you want to buy the books in India, try Smashwords.
The link to my book on Smashwords is on the sidebar to the right. Thanks for your interest 🙂
My first year in the challenge! Some of those books looks interesting! Must try to read some of them!
Pls ho ahead and check them out! 🙂
I participated in my first year of blogging, but didn’t last year or this year either. Something might be in the works for 2015. I’ll only do it again if my intention is to blog an eBook.
I’ve been doing the challenge for the last 3 years and have loved it each time. 🙂
I plan to wing a complete novella this year so.. xD Good to know these are also published
Wish you all the best for this year’s AZ– hope yours is published, too!
Oh boy. I haven’t read any of them!
Your book sounds interesting. You can add Fifty Shades of Phil by yours truly to that list. I mean it. I’m going to look yours up. It looks good.
Phil, serious?
Absolutely!
That interesting! I used to do the A to Z challenge every year but I’ve never heard of those. I will have to look into them. I miss it.
Reblogged this on harrygrotman.
How do I get this Ato Z badge on my blogs
Swati Uniqusatya has given you your reply.
Thank you Damyanti!
I really like this but April is a bad time for me and I couldn’t commit to daily posts.
I have not taken part earlier but this year yes I have taken part with my two blogs (swatisays.wordpress.com and swati1012.wordpress.com) While the theme for my former blog will be Abuse and its affect on the families and society, the other blog will talk about art, artists, theatre, and travel. Waiting for April to begin.
Here it is:
1. Copy the link for the banner (image is in the link.)
2. Next, go to your WordPress account and go to your dashboard.
3. On your left sidebar hover over “Appearance” and click on “Widgets.”
4. Scroll down til you find the “Text” widget. Add this to your sidebar.
5. Now paste the html into the text area and save.
And, instant banner! 🙂
Image widget can look better than the text widget anyway
Hey, thanks for this! I’m traveling and it’s been hard to comment– you helped out, that’s do sweet!
My pleasure…
I am a first timer too and i understand what they go thru if we dont find a response at that moment 😉
Thank you Uniqusatya
My pleasure 🙂
Well that’s a tough choice! The last five or so I remember reading during the Challenge and they were all good.