After serving as our emcee last year, Ross is back this year with a more personal reading from his blog The Brown Knowser. Although he has been blogging in one form or another for a while, The Brown Knowser has really evolved over the past year into a more personal place for Ross to call home. His tales from his youthful days, through his journeys abroad, up to his present day life as a father and author are intimate anecdotes that invite us to get to know the real Ross.

He’s also known for his photography, and blog posts may feature anything from the lush tones of a scanned in slide to a funky Instagram pic. His “Where in Ottawa” monthly contest not only showcases his photography skills, but also his connection to this city we live in – he often seems to be everywhere at once. When he’s not posting lovely still life shots, he is likely to be posting shots of beer – he’s a beer aficionado, and no one can comment on local and foreign high-end brands like Ross. Put all that together, and if you’re looking for a night on the town, Ross is the guy you want to go to for advice.

Now you may find yourself wondering what he’ll be drinking at Blog Out Loud – the only way to find out is to come on out yourself.

Amanda may consider herself The Maven of Mayhem, but she’s really an expert in something else – laughter. Her posts are hilarious meanderings covering her epic Adventures in Parenting (capitals a must). Her smart, shameless, and bold blog posts are full of those oh-so-true moments that all parents can relate to, and I’m happy to say that she’s just as fun and funny in real life as she is on the page.

Amanda gets my vote for Blogger Most Likely To Have a Sitcom Made of Her Life – her quick wit and her command over punchlines have a way of turning any small event into a half hour of sheer wackiness. Her three boys provide more than enough fodder for hilarity and sass – and the sweet moment of truth required to round out each episode. Amanda may be funny, but even better, she’s uplifting. Despite more challenges than usual as a parent, she never loses her sense of humour, finding hope and joy in the smallest successes.

All that’s missing from Amanda’s world is the half-soused best friend character. Want to audition for the part? Be sure to say hi when you see her at Blog Out Loud.

Julie is a braver parent than I. A big part of her blog, Coffee With Julie, is detailing the travels she’s taken with her two children, and just the fact that she’s willing to get on a plane with kids in tow makes her a pretty impressive mom. Her own spirit of adventure leads her family to embrace new locations and new challenges, and together they’re slowly exploring the world.

Julie’s also an explorer of local life, as well. Whether she’s talking about interior decorating, a great new shop, a local artist, or a charity event, Julie’s tapped in to what’s beautiful here in Ottawa. Her blog posts sometimes read like magazine spreads – chatty, heartfelt descriptions that make you want to run out and be a part of something, right now. Add to that her love of social media, and you’ll find her blog an inspiring place to get involved.

Julie is someone who is completely comfortable with change, and always looking for a new experience. Come be inspired by her to try something new yourself at Blog Out Loud.

Danielle is a woman who embraces life. Her blog, Dish and Dash, began as the story of her newfound healthy and active lifestyle. After turning herself from a couch potato into a passionate and dedicated runner, she launched the blog to continue to track her running efforts as well as her path to a healthier diet. Now that she’s also cooking gluten free, she’s got even more great ideas to share about food.

But exercise and eating right aren’t the only things Danielle is enthusiastic about. Her bubbly excitement about excellent books, fine films, and marvelous TV shows are common subjects on the blog, and if Danielle loves it, she’ll soon have you convinced that you’ll love it too. She’s also really committed to international aid and being a part of a larger world community. It’s not enough that she has made her own little corner of the Earth a better place; she’s working to improve the rest of it, too.

Danielle has a ton of pluck and drive, and she’ll need to spend a little bit of nervous energy to survive Blog Out Loud. Come out and show her some support as she takes her turn at the mic.

Sasha’s blog, Rambing Notebook, is her. It’s a life diary, and at any moment in time you might find her wondering about politics, eating healthy, parenting, crafts, writing, or music. It may sound, well, rambling, but what ties it all together is Sasha’s own strong, clear voice. She’s caring, kind, open, and more than willing to admit that she doesn’t have it all figured out; she’s just trying to make a little forward progress and find a little peace.

Sasha has plenty of loftier goals, too. She’s trying to reform her eating habits. She’s buckling down on her writing, working hard to improve and figure out if she can really do this thing. Like many of us, she wants to be a great mom and often shares what’s working, and what’s not. As she explores what it really means to Be Sasha, we’re all invited to chime in. Reading her blog is like making a friend.

Come and say hello to a great internet friend in person, when you see Sasha face-to-face at Blog Out Loud.

Tariq is a thoughtful kind of guy. His blog, Exit Strategy, is full of absorbing, intimate, detailed discussions on a huge variety of subjects. He’s looking for direction in life, both for himself, his family, and his country, and his mindful and calm explorations of how to find his way make for fascinating reading.

Tariq’s love of motorcycles runs as a theme throughout his writing. Whether he’s repairing one, lusting after one, or riding one off into the sunset, he’s a man who loves the feel of the wind and the open road. He’s usually looking for the right course, both for his ride and his life’s focus. But his writing is just as sharp when it’s exploring new directions and considering aimless journeys as when he’s arguing a point or declaring a new goal. Getting there is half the fun.

Come take a trip into Tariq’s smart, thoughtful world when he takes his turn at the mic at Blog Out Loud.

Maranda is at the top of her game. As a busy mother of four, she loves to explore great ways to get her family to eat healthy, to get involved in events around Ottawa, and to volunteer. She’s becoming one of Ottawa’s busiest social media gurus, taking her love of community online. This year, she’s earned several publishing credits, and continues to grow her reputation as a writer. And she’s still known as an expert in the field of gaming. It’s a wonder she finds the time to document all her adventures on her blog, Momicon.

Visiting Maranda’s blog is like stepping into a warm kitchen. There’s tons of recipes to share with your picky eaters, accompanied by the kind of neighbourly chit chat that goes best with a cup of tea and a scone. Maybe you’ll hear about a few good video games for families, or share some adorable shots of Maranda’s sweet family. You might get some good advice about social media, healthy living, getting organized, or just finding the joy in life. It’s like spending a lazy afternoon at your older sister’s house.

So pull up a chair at her table, buy her a drink and share a quiet moment with Maranda at Blog Out Loud.

Alison is a lady with a sense of humour. Over at Party of 3, she spins yarns about her life as a single mom with her tongue firmly planted in her cheek. Seemingly innocent activities, like getting breakfast for her girls, attending a business meeting, or watching CSI, quickly become hilarious incidents that could only happen to Alison.

It’s a shame that Blog Out Loud is a reader’s event, because Alison can also have you in stitches with her hand-embellished pictures and photos. With just one well-placed word or arrow – or, and I’m giggling just thinking about it, a nicely photoshopped shot of Daniel Craig – she really brings the funny. There’s very little in life that Alison doesn’t approach with a jolly, joyful attitude, and her cheerful personality, so obvious on her blog, makes it impossible not to smile. Trust me; she is exactly the person you want to take with you on your next trip to France.

Alison just makes life happier. She’s sure to be smiling at BOLO this year – come and share the good cheer.

You probably know this already, but last year, Jordan got married. She and her new hubby, Brian, were able to throw a 140-guest wedding for just a couple hundred bucks – all thanks to donations and support garnered through social media. Their original blog, Project: Priceless, was a big part of their breakthrough campaign and now they are continuing their story on Project: Nest.

As you might expect, Jordan has a fair bit to say about frugality, eco-awareness, and doing it yourself. But she’s also a charming and engaged member of the Ottawa blogging community – someone who always seems to know what’s going on, and where. You’ll find great information on where to shop and share in and around Ottawa, and warm-hearted reviews of places and events. As well, Jordan isn’t shy about opening up about her personal life as a newlywed, sharing the ups and downs that come with cohabitation. It’s not always easy, but they continue to face life’s challenges with an upbeat attitude that’s infectious.

This is one project that everyone will want to be a part of. Find out exactly what Jordan has on the go these days at Blog Out Loud.

Nancy’s online alter ego is Travelchick, and that’s really who she is. It’s not just that she loves to go places and experience new things – although she does – it’s that this whole “life” thing really is a journey. Whether she’s far away or close to home, she’s constantly having little adventures – and when she blogs about them, an everyday trip or a far-flung vacation can turn into a story of epic proportions. Hers is the kind of life that gets turned into a really good romcom, the kind where any old crazy thing can happen, but it all ends in a sweet, life-affirming moment.

There are internal journeys as well. Nancy is sometimes pensive, wondering as she ages about her place in this world, her destiny in life. She is sometimes doubtful, sometimes tired. But mostly, she is content to wander, always looking to learn something more about herself, about the world, and about life. Her blog takes us all along for the ride.

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet Nancy as she makes her way to yet another new destination – the Blog Out Loud stage.