Planning to join Fall Into Reading 2012? I hope so! And it might not be a bad idea to start working on your goals list, because the challenge starts in only 9 days! In the meantime, here are a few posting guidelines/rules. I’m not too picky, but there are a few things I need you to do.

1. Write your post before you sign up on the linky list that goes live on September 22nd. I know that it can be tempting to try to get your name near the top of a reading challenge participant list, but please, please have your post written and published on your blog before you add your name to the linky list.  If I click on your name/link and do not see your post and reading list, or if it takes me to a post that says, “I’m going to join Fall Into Reading, but I don’t have my list yet. But I’ll do it soon.” or something like that… I’m sorry, but I will have to delete your entry from the list. Not because I’m mean, but because it’s simply not fair to the other participants who have already prepared their lists and blog posts. Of course, once you have your post/list up, you are more than welcome to come back and submit your name again.

2. Use a permalink when you sign up. In other words, use the linky list to link directly to your Fall Into Reading post, not just the main address (front page) of your blog. When you see the linky list here on September 22nd, you’ll find a space marked “Your name” where you can type your name (or the name of your blog, or whatever you’d like) and a space under it for “Your URL,” or website address. In that space, you’ll need to put a “permalink” to your Fall Into Reading post.

For example, instead of something like:

http://myniftyblog.blogspot.com

You’d want something like this:

http://myniftyblog.blogspot.com/2012/09/fall-into-reading.html

I completely made those addresses up, but you get the idea. Blogging Basics 101 has an article on how to find the “permalink” to a particular post HERE.

Once again, your link will be deleted if it does not go to a specific post (the one with your reading list). And again, I’m not being picky about this to be mean, but rather as a courtesy to all involved. People will be checking out everyone’s lists throughout the fall challenge, and we want to make it as easy as possible for them to find your list. That means submitting a link to your specific post, rather than a general link to your blog.

If you’ve given it a try, and read the post at Blogging Basics 101, and are still having trouble figuring out your permalink, please feel free to contact me (just click the “contact me” button under my header). I would be glad to help you and to get you signed up on the linky list with the correct link. Depending on the volume of email, it might take me a little while to get back to you, but I definitely will. I want you to be part of Fall Into Reading!

3. Keep your post family-friendly. I realize that, with more than 100 likely challenge participants, Fall Into Reading is going to represent readers of various reading interests. However, I do request that you keep your “official” Fall Into Reading post (the one you add to the linky list) family-friendly and “clean.” In other words, please make sure that any book titles or book covers you include would be safe for little eyes to see. I’ve had kids participate in my reading challenges in the past, and I just want to make sure the links presented on the official Fall Into Reading list are safe for them. Links to posts with explicit titles or covers may be deleted. Please feel free to check with me ahead of time if you’re not sure about a particular book.

4. Get ready to read! Now that my youngest is in Kindergarten, it will be tempting for me to spend every single morning reading. Okay, I know that’s not very practical — after all, who will go grocery shopping or do the laundry? But I really am looking forward to carving out plenty of reading time this fall. I also plan to visit as many Fall Into Reading participants as I can, to find out what they’ll be reading this fall and to share our mutual love of books and reading. I encourage you to visit other participants as well. It’s fun to be in the challenge; but it’s even more fun to enjoy the challenge with others.

If you don’t have a blog, but still want to participate in Fall Into Reading 2012, you can, and I’d love to have you! On September 22nd, just leave a comment on the official Fall Into Reading launch post with the list of books you’d like to read and/or finish this fall. When I see that comment, I’ll add a link to the “Mr. Linky” that goes directly to your comment. Don’t let your lack of a blog keep you from sharing your love of reading with us!

One other note:

My plan right now is to put up the official Fall Into Reading 2012 launch post at 9:00 a.m. (EST) on Saturday, September 22nd. If for any reason that time will change, I’ll let you know.

I have a little more info to share with you next week and then we’ll get started!!

Wondering what this “Fall Into Reading” thing is all about? Visit my post about The Basics to find out!