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Hi Everyone,

Here are some FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS and Guidelines for the PIFM Challenge. These FAQ will hopefully help you navigate the challenge and add to the enjoyment of participating.

If you have a question about the challenge and don't see the answer below, please feel free to post your inquiry here in this thread. We, the Mods, will be happy help you out :)

PICK IT FOR ME CHALLENGE - Frequently Asked Questions-

How many books do I have to read?

You’ll be given a selection of books to choose from but you only have to read ONE to complete the challenge. Some people like to complete more, and you may be asked to do buddy reads but you only have to complete one book to complete the challenge. At least 4 recommendations should come from your tbr shelf.

What if I don’t like the books I’ve been given?

The heart of this challenge is to try a book that you may not have tried on your own accord � it’s what makes it fun! And even if you try something and don’t like it well then you can always give it a low rating (which will actually help the next time you do a PIFM challenge). However, if you’re really struggling you can ask the person to re-pick for you.

Re-picks can be given by your picker if the books they chose for you are not yet released or you have already read them. If you do not receive any recs from your tbr, as there should be at least 4 given from there, you can ask your picker for some choices from there as well.

The other thing to do is to check out the reviews of the book on goodreads before you discount it � you may not like PNR for example but the reviews for the book may be filled with people who say “you know I’ve never liked PNR before this book...�.

What’s a Buddy Read?

A buddy read is where you and the person who picked for you/or you picked for read the same book at the same time. You can correspond through private messages while reading and discuss the book or start a Buddy Read thread in the Buddy Read folder so others can join you if desired. A buddy read is not a specific category in the rules any longer, but you can suggest one or more to your pickee. It usually works best if it's a book that you and your pickee both have on your TBR shelves, although that doesn't have to be the case. If they pick it � try your best to read it as well as the book you select from the list picked for you.

I don’t have a very big to-read list � is that a problem?

No, we have some members who don’t have to-read lists at all. The only thing is that it may mean that your book picker may select books from their read pile to fit the rules if there’s nothing suitable in your to-read list. But remember that you will be receiving at least 8 recommendations, and 4 will come from your tbr shelf if you have one. Keeping a tbr updated with books that interest you and you may want to read makes it easier for your picker to find something that you may actually want to read.

I don’t see any rules posted � where are they?

Most of the time the book selection rules won’t be posted until the assignments are made. Again - It’s part of the fun of the challenge! Rarely, rules will be posted early. This is normally when the host thinks people will need more time than normal to find picks.

How do I know what the person I’m picking for likes to read?

Simple � look at their read shelves. What books do they rate highly and what books do they only give one star to? Is there a pattern there? Are all their 5 star books PNR or a particular author? Are there a heap of historicals in their shelves but they’re never rated higher than a 3?

Check out their profile and read some of their reviews, you’ll be surprised at what you find out...

I’m having trouble finding picks for the categories � where should I go?

Try some of the following links:

http://www.goodreads.com/shelf
http://www.goodreads.com/places
http://www.goodreads.com/list

And check out previous challenges or lists in this group. Plus there’s always google....

How do I make my posts look good and add the book links etc?

At the top of the comments box there’s a link that says “some html is okay� click on that and it will show you how to use bold, underline etc.

To insert a book link or cover click the link “add book/author� (again just above the comments box), search on the book you’re looking for and select whether you want to add the link or the cover (down the bottom of the search page).

What if a book is recommended to me from a later point in a series I am reading?

If your picker has mistakenly given you a recommendation for a book you are not up to in a series you are reading, you may read the next book in that same series instead. For example, if you are given book #5 in a series you have started but you are only up to book #3, you may read book #3 instead. It will count for completing the challenge.

This also holds true if you are given a recommendation for a book earlier in a series. If you have been given #2 to read, for example, but you are up to #4 already, you may read the book in the recommended series that you are up to.

Where should my recs come from?

At least 8 recs total-

If your pickee has designated a preferred shelf, please try to pick at least one (and preferably more) book from that shelf. The other 3 picks should be from their tbr/preferred shelves.

Please try to choose at least 4 new titles for your pickee. These should be brand new to them, not on any of their shelves. They can be books that you have read, enjoyed, and think your pickee would like. Or they can be new to both of you, maybe getting great buzz. As long as it's new to your pickee :)

***TIPS TO MAKE THE CHALLENGE ENJOYABLE FOR EVERYONE!***

1. To help your picker understand the type of books you like or are currently reading, please make sure your ‘read� shelf is up to date. You can create shelves for books you DNFed or authors that don’t work for you as well as favorites. Also, you might consider updating your profile info, many of us haven’t done so since we joined GR. You can include info there about your favorite books and authors. And in the ‘about me� section you can add things you like or things you don’t - love friends to lovers, hate insta-love or burned out on billionaire bad boys for example.

2. Check the publishing date of the book before recommending it. To check the publishing date, from your pickee's to-read or similar shelf choose shelf settings, select "date pub" from the drop down selections and save/close the menu.

3. Check pickee's personalized shelves, especially their exclusive shelves - it could be very helpful in recommending something they want to read. A personalized shelf is one that a member has labeled themselves, for example, 'to read next', 'can't wait to read', 'favorites'.

4. Look at your pickee's 'read' shelf and see what genres they have recently read the most. That might help in choosing something they are interested in reading right now.

5. Please make sure the books you choose for your pickee are not on their 'read' shelf. Just because it isn't rated doesn't mean it wasn't read. Sometimes the reader may choose not to rate a book.

6. Although Buddy Reads are no longer going to be offered as a category, if there is a recommendation that you give your pickee that you would like to read with them, please feel free to suggest a Buddy Read with them. You can PM each other and discuss it.

7. If your pickee reads lots of books in a genre you are not familiar with (erotic romance, GLBT, YA, etc.), feel free to contact one of the Mods or the month's organizer and they can try to point you in the right direction for recommendations.

8. If possible, try to include a shorter book, a longer book, a new addition to their 'to-read' shelf, and and older book from their 'to-read' shelf. This gives them a variety of options to choose from. You can sort the shelves by many features - ratings, date read, date added, date published, #of pages and many other items from the shelf settings as described in tip #1. And they can be sorted by ascending or descending order as well.

9. Please choose at least 4 new titles for your pickee. These should be brand new to them books and not found on any of their shelves. It could also be a book found on their shelves if they've never read any of the author's work before. Part of the fun of this challenge is discovering new books to read, adding new titles to the ever-expanding tbr shelf. The remaining 4 titles should come from your pickee's tbr, with a minimum of one from their preferred shelves if provided.

10. Please remember this is a romance readers challenge, so unless you KNOW your pickee would prefer something else (something off their preferred shelf, for example) most, if not all, of your picks should be romance. There are many different sub genres and related types of books - Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Erotica, M/M, Urban Fantasy even. Take a look at your pickee's read shelf and see if they read non-romance genres before making your suggestions.

Responsibilities/Expectations of a PIFM Host:

Create challenge sorting question and rules and send a draft of them to the coordinating moderator by the 18th of the month prior to hosting.

Post challenge on the evening of the 20th or the morning of the 21st (US Eastern Time) of the month prior to hosting.

Manage sign-up list.

Post pairings and rules when sign-ups close on the evening of the 23rd or morning of the 24th (US Eastern Time). Picks should be due late on the 26th or early on the 27th of the month.

Keep track of who has made/received picks.

PM those who have not made their picks approximately 24 hours before the deadline to make their picks with a reminder about the deadline.

Keep track of volunteers for repicks, assign the volunteers to those who still need picks after the deadline. PM the volunteers you assign to make sure they are still willing and able to do the repicks and let them know who they will be picking for.

Make sure that all participants receive picks before the start of the month.

Keep track of those who have completed challenge.

Tips for Creating the Picking Rules:

When creating the rules, please try to keep the picking options simple, broad and easy. You should consider if your ideas for the rules are things you could know or find out without having read the book. This is especially important when you are picking for someone with different tastes than your own. Anything too specific or 'narrow', could make your challenge difficult for the participants when your goal is to create a fun experience for all.

We also want the challenge to work for all of our readers, no matter their tastes. Keep in mind, some readers don't like erotica, M/M, spiritual, RS, YA or even broad categories like historical or paranormal. So make sure there are options for everyone. For example you wouldn't want to have a rule that specifies an erotica book without other options for a hot guy on the cover or an MC with a sexy profession or even hot colors on the cover.

Keep options open by using adjectives that are subject to interpretation, say long book rather than having a definite page limit. For some, long is 250 pages and others it might be over 500. By not specifying, it allows the picker to use their judgement after looking at the the pickee's read shelf when coming up with their recommendations.

One good idea is to find a group member or friend, especially one who might have different reading tastes than you, and using your picking rules for your hosting month, try to find books for them. Try and find both new and from their shelves just like you would during the challenge. This will give you an idea whether or not your rules need to be broader or perhaps have more options.

OPENING POST FOR PIFM HOSTS TO USE WHEN STARTING A NEW THREAD FOR A NEW MONTH OF THE PIFM

(Add Month) 2015 PIFM Challenge

What is the Pick-It-For-Me Challenge?

The Pick-It-For-Me Challenge (PIFM) is a reading challenge where each participant gives and receives book recommendations based on a given a set of rules. The assignment method and book selection rules change each month so it’s always new and always different.

The idea of the PIFM challenge is that you will get new-to-you books and authors selected for you as well as a push to read some books that have been lingering on your shelves. You may not be interested in the new books recommended, which is why you also get a minimum of four books from your shelf.

You only have to read ONE book to complete this challenge!

After signups are closed, your names and any extra info will go into the super secret PIFM randomizer and it will select someone for you to recommend books to and someone to give you recommendations. This list will be posted along with any specific picking rules for the month.

In order to participate you need to either HAVE YOUR PROFILE SET TO PUBLIC (preferable), or friend the person giving you recommendations. Your profile also needs to be set to receive Private Messages (PMs) in case anyone needs to reach out to you (mods, organizer etc.)

Everything gets done in this thread so be sure to come back often!!!

Repicks:
You can ask for repicks if:
� The books picked for you are not yet released.
� If you have already read the chosen book(s) and they are on your ‘read� shelf.
� If you did not receive four picks from your ‘to-read� shelf, with at least one from your preferred shelf.

You may NOT ask for repicks because:
� A book is not available at your library.
� A genre or author you don’t enjoy.

INFORMATION NEEDED TO SIGN UP
Please sign up in this thread with the answer to the following question:

✱✱ (Insert Your Sorting Question Here) ✱✱

(Insert your Sorting Question Options here if necessary.)

✱✱ If you have a preferred shelf, please list it along with your pick! ✱✱

IMPORTANT DATES
Sign ups will remain open until (Add Month) 23rd (8 pm US EST).
For your convenience a .

You’ll have until (Add Month) 26th (8 pm US EST) to make your recommendations.

Please do not start reading your book(s) until the first of the month. You then have the entire month to read your pick(s) and give some feedback.

If you’re new please read the PIFM Guidelines and FAQ. If you have any questions that are not addressed there, please feel free to ask!


�Please note that late sign ups will be included at the host's discretion and no one will be included after re-picks are assigned!�

SECOND POST FOR PIFM HOSTS TO USE WHEN STARTING A NEW THREAD FOR A NEW MONTH OF THE PIFM

TIPS TO MAKE THE CHALLENGE ENJOYABLE FOR EVERYONE!

Pickees
� To help your picker understand the type of books you like or are currently reading, please make sure your ‘read� shelf is up to date. You can create shelves for books you DNFed (Did Not Finish) or authors that don’t work for you as well as favorite books and authors. In addition, you might consider updating your profile. You can include info about your favorite books, authors, genres, themes or tropes (or themes/tropes you dislike � i.e. secret baby).
� Please do not specify likes/dislikes in the sign-up thread. This information will not be included in the pairings and your pickee may not see your message and does not need to rely on that information when making picks.

Pickers
� Please remember this is primarily a romance readers group. Thus, most, if not all, of your picks should be romance. There are various sub genres within the romance category - Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Erotica, M/M, Urban Fantasy. If your pickee reads a wide variety, you could add a non-romance as a choice.

� Choose at least 4 new titles for your pickee. These can be brand new to them (not found on any of their shelves) or a book found on their shelves if they've never read any of the author's work previously.

A few hints to help with book selection:
� Check the book’s publishing date. Select "date pub" from the checkbox selections and save.
� Check pickee's personalized shelves, especially their exclusive shelves. A personalized shelf is one the member has created. (e.g., 'to read next', 'favorites' ‘didn’t like�)
� Make sure the books you choose are not on their 'read' shelf. Just because it isn't rated doesn't mean it wasn't read.
� Look at your pickee's 'read' shelf and see what genres they have recently read or read the most. Reviewing their ‘read� shelf might help you in choosing something they are interested in reading right now.
� If your pickee reads lots of books in a genre you are not familiar with (erotic romance, GLBT, YA, etc.) Contact the Mods or the month's organizer for guidance.
� Include a variety of books (e.g., shorter page count, new addition to their 'to-read' shelf, an older book on their 'to-read' shelf) This variety gives your pickee options when choosing the book or books they will be reading this month. Use the sort feature within their shelves to determine date a book was added, published or read; page numbers, ratings, etc.

I'm in

Pam wrote: "I'm in"

Hi Pam, I was going to tell you that this isn't the signup thread, but I see that you figured it out without my help...I hope you enjoy the challenge!

thanks....Hope I can do a better job doing my picks this month. yikes