We’re getting close now. Only a week to go.

I don’t know what you celebrate at this time of year, but for me it’s the winter solstice. One long, cold, dark night that turns the whole year around.

Call me crazy, but I believe we all have to go through solstices in our freelance writing careers. There are peaks of giddy genius and troughs of utter despair along the way, and they’re supposed to be there.

Because without them, we can’t learn and grow. Without good days, we won’t recognise bad days. Without challenge, there’s no achievement.

I may not believe in much, but I sure as hell believe in that.

Dear gods, did I just start giving a semi-religious lecture on my blog? [And, hey, was it working? Do you feel inspired?]

OK, moving on: I’ve got a challenge for you if you’re willing to accept it.

Time for the last Pitchfest of 2014!

You pitch a blog post idea and we’ll choose our favourite ones to publish, with a $100 prize for the best pitch. I’ll explain the rules in a minute, but first… 

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Yep, it’s that time again.

Time for you to show off your blog pitching skills in a real-life battle deathmatch pitch session alongside your fellow freelance bloggers, for a chance to win big prizes.

In case you missed the previous Pitchfests, here’s how it works:

You pitch a fantastic blog post idea and we choose our favourite ones to publish here on Be a Freelance Blogger, with a top prize worth $880, including $100 cash, for the best pitch. (OK, not really cash — I’ll send it to you via PayPal or another online payment service.)

The total value of prizes in this Pitchfest is $3,240.00!

But the prizes aren’t the best thing about Pitchfest.  The conversation is. Every pitch gets public feedback, so you can see how other bloggers pitch, learn to write better pitches yourself, and win more gigs.

If that sounds like fun, check out the rules (further down this post) and get your pitch on. 

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Welcome, dear reader, to the contest that gives you a chance to win $100 for your brilliant blog post idea.

Pitchfest has become a highlight of our calendar here at Be a Freelance Blogger because it’s a ton of fun and we’re always excited to see what you come up with.

But the real reason this contest is so popular is the way it works: everything happens in public blog comments, which means you get to see how other bloggers pitch their ideas and how real blog editors respond.

It’s easier to understand if you know the rules, so let’s get straight to that part. 

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