Massive klaxon! Mumsnet BlogFest is here!

[KateMumsnet]

We're completely thrilled to announce the launch of Mumsnet BlogFest 2012 - a jam-packed event to celebrate everything there is to love about blogging, and help you get the most from what you post.

The event will take place on Saturday 10 November at a slinky venue in central London, and we've got a fabulous roster of bloggers, writers, and techie experts lined up - including a keynote speech from the lovely Caitlin Moran. She'll be joined by Jeanette Winterson, Zoe Williams , Liz Jones and a host of others, including (but not limited to!) our very own MmeLindor, Eliza Gray, Mrs Tiggywinkle, Cath Elliott, MmeGuillotine, Slummy single mummy and Cari Rosen.

There'll be sessions on finding your voice and improving your writing skills; dealing with trolls and related nasties; drawing the line between public and private; and a kazillion other useful and intriguing subjects - have a look at the programme for full details.

There'll also be plenty of opportunities to chat to fellow bloggers, or make new friends, over a delicious lunch at the top of the Millbank Tower - plus a glass or two of something lovely at the end of the day. And don't forget to grab an expert for one-to-one advice on everything blog-related in our Blog Clinic, which will run throughout the day.

We canvassed 300 of our bloggers on the sessions and speakers they'd like to see at BlogFest, but there are still plenty of speakers to be announced. So if you've a yearning to hear from someone in particular, do let us know here and we'll do our best to oblige.

The event is open to bloggers and non-bloggers alike, so if you haven't yet started blogging but want to dip a toe in the water - or simply want to hear some great speakers - do join us. If you're quick off the mark, you can catch the early bird offer (£50 per ticket - a third off!). So help us spread the word on Facebook and Twitter (#mumsnetblogfest) - and don't forget to tell your friends, your colleagues and your mum - the more the merrier!

[Stitchthis]

I'm aiming to be there too but prob go home that night Looking forward to meeting everyone finally. I'll be the one with knitting needles sticking out of my handbag.

[JessMumsnet]

@Tee2072

I'm more concerned that the map on the info page has the venue smack in the middle of the Thames....is it a floating building?

As exciting as it would be to hold the first floating BlogFest (!) I can confirm that the building is on the north side of the river, on Millbank. Tech have managed to re-jig the map now so hopefully no more confusion - we'd rather not have to jump in the Thames to find any stray attendees

[MmeLindor]

That's great Stitch. Will be great to see, even if only during the day.

Ha. Could you imagine a floating Blogfest. Sponsored by RNLI

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

I would love to go to this, if only to cross knitting needles with Stitchthis (I am madebytamsin on Twitter)

[julesjam]

I waaantt to coooommmme!!

[Stitchthis]

Wooooooi rhinestone!!!!!!! Hello!

[Stitchthis]

Idea!!! We cld do a relay-blog of the event. Like a blog hop but we each sign up to document say an hour each then you can click from one to the next.....god knows how you do it technically but what do you think?

[MmeLindor]

Great idea, Stitch.

Jules
You have to come. We could travel down together.

[Stitchthis]

Can I sign you up then Mme?

[Stitchthis]

Subject to objection from MNTowers I will organise the order of blogging if somebody can help w setting up the hop?!?!

[MmeLindor]

I can do the hop.

That sounds like a dance routine. One which involves high up ponytails, bobbysocks and circular skirts with poodle appliqués.



Sounds good to me. Can I do the session on Getting Published at 1.30pm.

Are you doing sessions rather than hours? Then you'd need two for the sessions that run parallel

[Stitchthis]

Yep. Sessions makes sense. Agree re parallel streams too. Excel, you are my friend.

[DillyTante]

Hey Stitchthis, just looking at trains & was going to stay at my mum's sat night & get the train back Sunday but it's really long so think I might just get the paddington train. What was your plan? Have found 9.30pm train for £9 (single).

[DillyTante]

To be clear I meant I might get the train back Sat night.

[Stitchthis]

Not sure yet but sounds gd

[KateMumsnet]

Blog relay sounds like a brilliant idea! We're properly excited here now...

[e11ie5]

woo hooo looking forward to this ... didn't we have a luverly time the day we went to mumsnet ... and so on : )

[liveotherwise]

Live blogging the sessions is a great plan :) I've put a meet and greet linky on my blog (please join in) and I'm building a twitter list of attendees so that we can find each other before the day.

liveotherwise.co.uk/makingitup/2012/09/19/on-a-different-topic/

[MummyBarrow]

Hello.
I have bought my ticket. But have a night out at Gordon Ramsay's place the night before so will be looking decidedly shabby. And clutching a mug of coffee.

[MmeGuillotine]

I'll do a blog hop thingummy, if you like? :)

[QueenMaeve]

It looks fantastic. I'm like Tee and would have to fly over though. Will have a nosy for cheap flights. Whispers

[Stitchthis]

katemumsnet and all the lovely bloggers here glad you're up for it...can anyone who is interested in taking part PM me with preferred slot based on the timetable already issued. I will then post a roll call of contributors so everyone can keep track. Sound like a plan?!

[BCBG]

Booked my place

[BCBG]

Stitch - just PM'd you but then read thread properly - do you want us to document a session AS it is going on, or document a session just AFTER it? Or just bang on about the whole mad fest? Happy to do whatever but there are one or two topics I am too crepey and haggish to understand I may not entirely follow ;)

[BCBG]

. I rest my case...