Blaugust 2026: Q&A
Next month the annual Blaugust: Festival of Blogging begins. Roundabout this time each year, I try to write a promotional post to raise awareness of the event and encourage potential participants. However, as I’ve done this quite a few times before, each year it is becomes increasingly difficult to present the essential facts about Blaugust: Festival of Blogging in an interesting fashion. There’s nothing worse than writing a post and feeling that you’re just covering old ground. So, this year, I thought I’d try something different and present the most important information about this annual event, as if it were a conversation between myself and an interested passer by. Feel free to attribute novelty voices for each party in your own head, while you read this. If it helps, try imagining that this discussion is happening between two celebrities or such like. Both may be wearing exotic hats but I digress. On with the scenario.
Q: What is Blaugust 2026: Festival of Blogging?
A: It’s month long event to encourage new bloggers and content creators, as well as those who’ve drifted away from existing blogs who are looking for the motivation to resume writing. We can help new writer take their first steps and existing writers fine tune their craft and provide advise on how to develop your online presence. The event offers guidance via our community of established bloggers. There are writing prompts available and an opportunity to share your content. Plus, it's not just about blogging. We can offer advice on podcasting and other forms of content creation. Ultimately it is about bringing people together, sharing knowledge and experience and having fun. Hugging is available if you dig that sort of thing. Blaugust runs from 1st August to the 31st.
Q: Why Blaugust?
A: Because it’s about blogging and it happens during August. Is it a great name? No. Is it memorable? Yes. And that’s marketing for you.
Q: Who is it aimed at?
A: Anyone who wants to write or create content online. The event originally emerged from the video game fan blog community but quick evolved to be more inclusional. Previous participants have written about such diverse subjects as African music, knitting and gardening. Even Colin can take part if he wants to.
Q: What do I have to do?
A: There’s a sign up form where you can share your personal details and where you create your content, be it a blog, YouTube channel or podcast. There’s a Discord server, where you can link any material you’ve produced and talk to other participants. Some people aim to stick to a content schedule as a means of getting back into the swing of content creation but this is not mandatory. You do as much or as little as you see fit and feel comfortable doing. If you start and then feel that it’s not for you, you can drop out. No one will judge you (much).
Q: What’s in it for me?
A: Certainly not global domination. However, if you take part there’s a chance to discover a hobby and pastime that you may enjoy, as well as the opportunity to make friends and become part of a growing community. There are some accolades you can work towards, if you fancy, but these are mainly for the simple satisfaction of achieving them. Blaugust is very much about the taking part. The results are for you to define.
Blaugust 2026: Festival of Blogging does not take place in Tucamcari, New Mexico, although people who live there can participate if they want
Q: Where does this all happen?
A: Tucamcari, New Mexico. No, not really. Blaugust is an online event with everything happening via your website, blog, YouTube channel etc and the official Blaugust Discord server. The event and the content that is created by participants are shared via social media. There is also a dedicated channel on the Discord server where you can post links to your material. There is also a list of participants so you can add new blogs and sites to your RSS reader of choice if you want to track what’s happening.
Q: So this is about building a community?
A: Yes, totally this. With eggs on top. Blaugust is about encouraging people to express themselves through online content creation and interacting with others who do the same. It’s about seeing differences as a positive and not a negative. About focusing upon common interests, rather than differences. If that sounds a little too ideological for you, think in terms of just finding a cool place to hang out with friends.
Q: Are there any rules?
A: Yes, there are a few but not many. Any event of this nature has to have some boundaries set to work within. Blaugust is not a commercial event. We have no problem with people pursuing commercial undertakings with their content creation but Blaugust is not a forum for participants to try and “sell their wares” to others taking part. Also you are free to create content about whatever you want but Blaugust does not want to be associated with inflammatory material or anything that breaks US, UK and European law. We expect a similar common sense approach to behaviour on the Discord server. However, Blaugust has seldom run into such issues over the 14 years it has been running. We do not go out of our way to police this event, as it runs on trust, maturity and emotional literacy. However, robust action will be taken against transgressions.
Q: What about the use of AI in content creation?
A: Blaugust has a simple rule of thumb regarding the use of AI in content creation. AI may assist your creative work, but it should not replace your creative contribution. Using AI tools to tidy up your prose is acceptable. If you’re entire post was written with an AI using minimal human interaction, then such content is unacceptable. More detailed guidance is available here.
Q: Is it fun?
A: Yes. But don’t take my word for it. Last year, 168 people participated and the consensus was that it was an unequivocal “stone groove”.
Q: Oh and finally, who is Colin?
A: Don’t ask.
