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Rules and Guidelines for Featured Member- Author Group Reads
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Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie
(last edited Aug 31, 2012 09:38PM)
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Attention all Action/Adventure Aficionados Members!!
(Especially those of you who are authors!)
“Hear Ye! Hear Ye!”
We, the Alpha of the Omega, the Meow of the Lonesome Tom-Feline, the Swashes of many a Buckle, the Wing Tip of the Wing Span, the Moderators of the Forum have finally come to a unifying understanding, a call of clarions. We have taken off our hats (hat off!), rolled up our sleeves (sleeve off!) taken off our shoes (shoes off!) and removed our jerkins (jerkin… uh… we weren’t wearin’ no jerkins!). Yes, we have finished the cranial rectal inversions, pulled our heads out of our collective… okay… we reverted …and have now modified our plan of action, a strategy! We have formulated the “Word"! (yes, in the nautical vernacular which had once served as the language of my former vocation, or as my Uncle John would say, the “poop” floats up from the bottom, the “word” comes down from the top)
Stand by for the WORD! (“watch out for the poop!”)
Announcement! Announcement! Ann-ounce-ment
We, the Moderators, wish to announce that we’d like to honor those members who have crossed the threshold from toiling want-to-be into the world of Author, and help celebrate those books that they have brought into being. So, for the month of December, in addition to our regular events, we would like to endorse, sanction and help facilitate a Group Read focusing on books and stories created by our esteemed members! (That was the WORD…ord…ord (imagine a haunting echo here).
So, these are the first ever changes and modifications to the original first ever guidelines, and second of many (we hope) Featured Author Group Reads, featuring books and stories from our very own accomplished and esteemed group members.
The New Law of the Land! … well, they're really more guidelines, anyway. PM a moderator or post on the Suggestions thread if you have a recommendation or thought that might improve the Featured Author Home Grown Group Reads. (or FAHGGR “Fogger” for the Acronymically underscored and unduly Scottish, including want-to-be-Scots).
In order to give everyone a chance to participate, who wishes to participate, we intend to break this up into phases.
Phase I- The Pre-Event Notification and Announcement (do you say “phase” if you open with “phase”?) The “PENAP” for those of you who are Acronymically friendly.
Consider this post/PM the start of the Pre… the PENAP (This is an acronymically friendly posting)
This phase will last from today through this Wednesday, 10 December 2012.
The PENAP is where we let everyone know when we are getting ready to host a group read for our own member-authors. The intent is to give everyone who is an author time to make sure we (the group, moderators and I) have the names of all group member/authors who wish to participate, and the title(s) of their books, plus time to either verify that there is a “Goodreads” entry for their story, or to make one, and, if the work is not available, give the author time to figure out how to make it available for the group read if they wish to participate. Your book needs to meet all requirements for a Goodreads listing to be eligible for participation.
The “Member-Author Book List” (MABL (“May-bull”) for you acronymical monsters) is currently in the Featured Member-Author’s section, post 2 on the “Books Written by Member-Author’s List” thread. (http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9...). Generally this will include most books without anyone having to lift a finger get them there, but, for those authors who have books in various stages of development, marketing and availability this will give them a chance to make the book available. No Rush Ladies and Gentleman, as long as there is a desire for the Featured Author Reads, we will continue to have them, if you are not the first, be the author of the Next Big Read. This is an investigation, a never ending search to feed our dreams with stories and adventures from the minds of others. This time period is established so that we can include the most selections and give everyone’s story the best chance to be selected for a group read.
Phase II – The Nomination Phase (or T-NOP for the acronymically willing).
The T-NOP has been suspended until necessary. Right now we want all books on the MABL to be eligible for the vote/poll. Under the “Spoiler Tag” is how things will work when we do need a T-NOP, hopefully that will be because we have more books than we can manage without some “sorting and filtering” process.
(view spoiler)
Phase III – The Advertising Phase. (“TAP” for the Acronymically Rigid) Currently Phase II using the new modified wait for later on the T-NOP guidelines.
This is where authors and fans may speak out about the books. The moderator(s) will create a thread for “Advertising the Group Read”. This is the thread where you (authors or fans) can post links to the book and tell people how to get it if you published through an off the beaten path indi-pub agency. This is where anyone can come by and “talk up” your book. All posts will have to meet Goodreads and Group rules and guidelines for posting.
No SNIPING! Any comments, posts or links that are not positive and encouraging about a nominated book will be deleted without discussion during this phase. Once we start reading and have a nominee, you will be able to comment as you see fit positive or negative on the read the thread provided. (we aren’t into censorship, we just want to let those who have books have a chance to tell us about them without having to go into self-defense mode.) As it stands, If you can't wait, you will be able to comment on the read in a book review or comment on the book on any other thread in Goodreads that where the group moderators allow it. But not on or “Tell Us About the Book” thread.
This thread is not only for the authors but his/her fans, who are members, to tell us what they liked about this book, what it’s about, and what made it worth reading for them.
No comments are required during the TAP. Unless an author withdraws his/her book from nomination, comments or no comments on the TAP thread, all nominated books will go for a vote. As of now, all books on the MABL will be added to the poll for a vote.
We believe the best comments will come from people who read the book. The second best comments (a close second) will come from the author themselves. If you like a book, speak up for it!
Do not announce “Free copies here!” on the TAP thread. We don’t want that to sway the vote. Some authors can provide, some can’t.
If a book is misrepresented, comment about it in the “read it” thread created for the group read or on your review of the book.
Phase IV – The Vote! (TV for the acronymically ironic) (Phase III on the current schedule)
Though this may already have taken a direction that will have a different outcome and conclusion than other group reads, this will be the same as it is for any group read. The nominations will be collected, the poll created and launched and everyone votes. If the vote is close the moderators will consider a run-off of top vote-getters. Members (and authors) may suggest a run-off but, moderators will collectively decide if a runoff is worth it as an independent body.
Phase V – Read it and stick it series! (or the RISIS “Reeses” Phase for the Acronymically Starved) (Phase IV on the current Modified Plan)
Everyone read the book and post your comments member-authors and member-readers alike.
There’s a sub-phase here too, the Pre Indicative Exercise Comments Emulation. Or, (wait for it...) the “Reese’s Pieces” phase. There are no real specific guidelines to go through here that are not common to most Goodreads discussion threads. This is where the author or his agent can announce free copies and where to get them if he or she chooses to make them available. It’s a good place for the author to ask questions about how readers felt about this or that portion of the book and a good place for readers, who have either read the book before the group read, or had curiosity aroused about a particular aspect of the book mentioned in the buildup (Phases I-IV), to ask questions/make comments as well. It starts as soon as the poll closes and we have a book to read. It doesn’t end, but the expectation here is that most of this kind of thing get addressed early.
From here, everyone read, post your comments, and enjoy the books! Moderators will probably post some general questions of their own as a suggested guide for commenting here, but there is no rule to it, other than those already established. Moderators will keep order. The expectation is polite but rigorously honest feedback about the book.
Please remember that the authors of these books are not names in the sky spelled in stars. They are part of our community, your neighbors in the Goodreads universe and potential, if not already actual friends and comrades in the reading adventure. Disrespectful comments (as determined by moderators) will be removed (as always), appropriately delivered negative comments will stay, even negative feedback, if honestly given is important. Please keep your reactions/comments to the book, the authors style, or plot devices etc. There’s no room for personal attacks between anyone, author, reviewer, reader or commenter. An honest, politely delivered negative comment is not an attack. It's a strength building exercise. Moderators have the final say in disputes.
Any time an author, or a nominator wishes, up to the closing of the poll, they may withdraw their book from consideration.
We have international members. Some books are readily available everywhere, some cost more in the U.K. and Canada than in the U.S. If it becomes known that a book is not universally available, to an extent that hampers our group read, moderators may, as a last resort, make the hard decision to pull a nomination, but only if it’s absolutely necessary. Again, as in all matters that are difficult to sort out and may go against the established guidelines, Moderators will act as a body, rather than taking individual action (Translation, we will discuss it first).
No Acronyms were harmed or removed from their natural habitat in the creation of this announcement.
Them’s the rules.
I, Curmudgeon wrote: "(the revised rules, and stuff)Attention all Action/Adventure Aficionados Members!!
(Especially those of you who are authors!)
“Hear Ye! Hear Ye!”
We, the Alpha of the Omega, the Meow of..."
Uh.......could you repeat that please?
Mod
Attention all Action/Adventure Aficionados Members!!
(Especially those of you who are authors!)
“Hear Ye! Hear Ye!”
We, the Alpha of ..."
For the readers digest version...
Featured Author Group Read in December befor Chrstimas (well start then)
Poll going up around 10 December
If your book is on our list, it goes on the poll unless you don't want it too (tell us).
we (All of A/A Aficionados) vote
we read
we comment
we have fun.
This is for A/A Aficionado members who are also authors (for their books).
I, Curmudgeon wrote: "Ctgt wrote: "I, Curmudgeon wrote: "(the revised rules, and stuff)Attention all Action/Adventure Aficionados Members!!
(Especially those of you who are authors!)
“Hear Ye! Hear Ye!”
We, ..."
Sorry Curmudgeon, I was just kidding.
"If your book is on our list, it goes on the poll unless you don't want it too (tell us)." That answers my question, Hugh. Thanks!
I'm not worried about disrespectful comments..You don't know my wife!!!:-)
Mod
Attention all Action/Adventure Aficionados Members!!
(Especially those of you who are authors!)
“Hear ..."
I thought you were kidding. I got two PMs who thought there were too many words. Pishaaaah... is there ever such a thing? Too many words? never heard of such a thing.... of course, one of them was my mother... hmm...
Tim, most of the authors that I've had the pleasure to meet and correspond with had appropriately flexible, yet tough skin that allowed them to not be stung, yet, pay attention to criticism.
There has been some issues with reviewers and authors "having a go at each other." That's my polite way of saying, criticism yes, honesty works here, but please no people bashing.
We've not had any problems with that sort of thing yet, I'm just doing my best to keep the status quo. We do have some new authors that aren't as familiar with us as others. There is such a thing as bad press, especially for an Indie-author.
I hope your okay with us putting your book on the poll. It's on our list!
I, Curmudgeon wrote: "I thought you were kidding. I got two PMs who thought there were too many words. Pishaaaah... is there ever such a thing? Too many words? never heard of such a thing.... of course, one of them was my mother... hmm..."That's the big drawback to texting, posting, emails; all that tone, inflection, those facial expressions are lost in translation.
I, Curmudgeon wrote: "Ctgt wrote: "I, Curmudgeon wrote: "Ctgt wrote: "I, Curmudgeon wrote: "(the revised rules, and stuff)Attention all Action/Adventure Aficionados Members!!
(Especially those of you who are auth..."
I'd be honored to be in the poll, Hugh, thanks. Accepting positive critique just makes us better in what we strive for; the chance to entertain with words. :-)
Mod
..."
I'll make sure your book gets on the poll.
For the record. The "positive comments only" rule is actually referring to the time we give authors and fans to comment on the books going to the poll before we open the poll.
Then we vote.
Then, we read
Then we critique and discuss on a thread. For the discussion of the book after it's read, or during the reading, the rule is focus on the work (the book) not the author, be honest, and respectful, but, say what's on on your mind. Honest feedback.
Some of that feedback may be negative, if the reader commenting didn't enjoy the experience. The line between being rude, and being honest and talking about something that didn't work for you in a book isn't as thin as some people want to believe. Someone can say "this part of the book didn't work for me" and give examples without being rude and disrespectful.
It's in the "TAP" that where the idea is for the author and/or fans to give some comments about their books, or books they like leading up to the poll. After the poll, it's a group read.
I'm sure I'm being as clear as mud. I can be more vague if you like?
… well, they're really more guidelines, anyway. PM a moderator or post on the Suggestions thread if you have a recommendation or thought that might improve the Featured Author Home Grown Group Reads. (or FAHGGR “Fogger” for the Acronymically underscored and unduly Scottish).
In order to give everyone a chance to participate, who wishes too, we intend to break this up into phases.
Phase I- The Pre-Event Notification and Announcement (do you say “phase” if you open with “phase”?)
Consider this post/PM the start of the pre.. the PENA(P?)
This phase will last from today through this Wednesday, 22 August 2012.
The Pre-Event Notification Announcement Phase is where we let everyone know when we are getting ready to host a group read for our own authors. The intent is to give everyone who is an author time to make sure we (the group, moderators and I) have the names of all group member/authors who wish to participate, and the title(s) of their books, plus time to either verify that there is a “Goodreads” entry for their story, or to make one, and, if the work is not available, give the author time to figure out how to make it available for the group read if they wish to participate. Your book needs to meet all requirements for a Goodreads listing to be eligible for participation.
The “Master Author List” (MAL for you acronymical monsters) is currently in the author’s section, post 2 on the “Author list” (http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...). We will open a new sub-group of topics for the purpose of Featured Author Group Reads and I will move this list (or re-create it) there and I will create a thread to list links for books available/eligible for nomination, the “Book-List” (BL for the acronymically challenged). Generally this will include most books without anyone having to lift a finger, but for those authors who have books in various stages of development, marketing and availability this will give them a chance to make the book available. No Rush Ladies and Gentleman, as long as there is a desire for the Featured Author Reads, we will continue to have them, if you are not the first, be the the author of the Next Big Read. This is an investigation, a never ending search to feed our dreams with stories and adventures from the minds of others. This time period is established so that we can include the most selections and give everyone’s story the best chance to be selected for a group read.
Phase II – The Nomination Phase (or T-NOP for the acronymically willing).
This should start Thursday.
It will work like any other nomination phase for a group read with the following exception. All nominations will be from the Book List (BL noted above). Any group member may nominate any book on our list. Authors may nominate their own books (if they're on the list). Any Goodreads member may do a drive-by joining and nomination (as long as they stay in the group and participate in the group read). Of course anyone may observe and read on their own without joining if they wish to benefit from comments on the thread and read a thrilling Book! (I liked to call it Ghost Participation - G.P., or Participation Light, if your only a member for G.P. then, as expected, participation is one way, from us to you but hey, your welcome to it.)
Phase II should last a week, but it will be longer if we (the moderators) feel we need more books, or shorter if we (the moderators ) think we have enough or too many.
Phase III – The Advertising Phase. (“TAP” for the Acronymically Rigid)
This is where authors and fans may speak out about their book. The moderator(s) will create a thread for “Advertising the Group Read”. This is the thread where you (authors or fans) can post links to the book and tell people how to get it if you published through an off the beaten path indi-pub agency. This is where anyone can come by and “talk up” your book. All posts will have to meet Goodreads and Group rules and guidelines for posting.
No SNIPING! Any comments, posts or links that are not positive and encouraging about a nominated book will be deleted without discussion during this phase. Once we start reading and have a nominee, you will be able to comment on the read the thread provided. As it stands, If you can't wait, you will be able to comment on the read in a book review. You will be able to comment on the books on any other thread in Goodreads. You will get your say in these places if you did not like it. But not on this thread.
This thread is for the authors and his/her fans, who are members, to tell us why we should vote for this book, what it’s about, what makes it worth reading.
No comments are required during this phase. Unless an author or the nominator withdraws the nomination, comments or not, all nominated books will go for a vote.
We believe the best comments will come from people who read the book. The second best comments (a close second) will come from the author themselves. If you like a book, speak up for it!
Do not announce “Free copies here!” (we don’t want that to sway the vote. Some authors can provide, some can’t).
If a book is misrepresented, comment about it in the “read it” section or in the book review.
Phase IV – The Vote! (TV for the acronymically ironic)
Though this may already have taken a direction that will have a different outcome and conclusion than other group reads, this will be the same as it is for any group read. The nominations will be collected, the poll created and launched and everyone votes. If the vote is close the moderators will consider a run-off of top vote-getters. Members (and authors) may suggest a run-off but, because of the interests in process involved, moderators will collectively decide if a runoff is worth it as an independent body.
Phase V – Read it and stick it series! (or the RISI “Reeses” Phase for the Acronymically Starved)
Everyone read the book and post comments.
There’s a sub-phase here too, the Pre Indicative Exercise Comments Emulation. Or, (wait for it...) the “Reese’s Pieces” phase. There are no real specific guidelines to go through here that are not common to most Goodreads discussion threads. This is where the author or his agent can announce free copies and where to get them. It’s a good place for the author to ask questions about how readers felt about this or that portion of the book and a good place for readers, who have either read the book before the group read, or had curiosity aroused about a particular aspect of the book mentioned in the buildup (Phases I-IV), to ask questions/make comments as well. It starts as soon as the poll closes and we have a book to read. It doesn’t end, but the expectation here is that most of this kind of thing get addressed early.
From here, everyone read, post your comments, and enjoy the books! Moderators will probably post some general questions of their own as a suggested guide for commenting here, but there is no rule to it, other than those already established. Moderators will keep order. The expectation is polite but rigorously honest feedback about the book.
Please remember that the authors of these books are not names in the sky spelled in stars. They are part of our community, your neighbors in the Goodreads universe and potential, if not already actual friends and comrades in the reading adventure. Disrespectful comments (as determined by moderators) will be removed (as always), appropriately delivered negative comments will stay. Please keep your reactions/comments to the book, the authors style, or plot devices etc. There’s no room for personal attacks between anyone, author, reviewer, reader or commenter. An honest, politely delivered negative comment is not an attack, it's a strength building exercise. Moderators have the final say in disputes. (nothing new here…these are not the droids we are looking for... move along… )...(these are not the droids we're looking for… move along you guys).
Them’s the rules.
Any time an author, or a nominator wishes, up to the closing of the poll, they may withdraw their book from consideration.
We have international members. Some books are readily available everywhere, some cost more in the U.K. and Canada than in the U.S. If it becomes known that a book is not universally available, to an extent that hampers our group read, moderators may, as a last resort, make the hard decision to pull a nomination, but only if it’s absolutely necessary. If needed, a run-off of the next two highest vote-getters will be held as quickly as possible and the process will continue.
No Acronyms were harmed in the creating of this announcement.