1.) First of all, sign up using the form in the next chapter.
2.) Once you sign up, you will be asked how many chapters are in the book you'd like to add to the club reading list. Before your book can be added, you must read and comment on TWO chapters of books of current members for every ONE chapter that currently exists in your book. For example: my book has 12 parts, so I must read and comment on 24 chapters of other people's work before it can be added to the club reading list.* Each chapter earns one point.
3.) The rules of commenting are flexible. You must write 30 words of commentary on a chapter in order for it to count, and your commentary must be specific enough to demonstrate that you actually read the chapter. Other than that, any comment will count to earn points. However, you are encouraged to be polite and helpful to the best of your ability. Authors may also have the chance to indicate their preferred form of commentary, and you are encouraged to give commentary in this preferred form, especially if they've given you good comments as well.
4.) If you've had your book added to the club reading list, and you then add more chapters to the book, you are not required to earn more points by reading more stories. However, you must make up the deficit before you can have another story added to the club reading list. Example: my book has 12 parts, so I comment on 24 chapters of other people's work before it can be added to the club reading list. I've earned 24 points, and spent them to post a 12-chapter story. Then, I add three more chapters to my 12-part story, so now I have a 15-part story and only 24 points. After that, I want to add another, 1-part story to the club reading list. Before I can do this, I must read and comment on 6 more chapters to earn a total of 30 points to make up the deficit from my older story. Then, I must read two more chapters to add my new story to the club.
5.) All books are eligible. Mature, non-mature, poetry, fanfiction, nonfiction, English and non-English - even rant books, if you want. However, keep in mind that, because no one is required to read your book, less popular genres may earn you fewer comments than popular ones. (Obviously, the exception to "all books" is "books which break WattPad's rules.)
6.) You are encouraged to follow this profile and the profiles of your fellow members - but this is not required.
7.) If someone reads and comments on your books, you are encouraged to also read and comment on theirs - but this is not required.
8.) Each month, members will have the chance to "nominate" the member who has given them the most helpful or in-depth commentary that month. For each nomination, a username will go into a randomizer, and whoever the randomizer picks will get to feature one of their books as Book of the Month. Those who comment on the Book of the Month will earn double points for each chapter. Example: Three people nominate Bobette, and two people nominate Grunhilda. Bobette has earned three chances to win and Grunhilda has earned two. (The same person will not be allowed to win two months in a row.)
*Founding members: Since this club is new, it is not yet possible to make people wait until they give comments before they can receive them. Until we have a steady supply of members and books for prospective members to choose from, prospective members may review each other's books for points. Upon being accepted into the club, each person may choose one book to be immediately placed on a temporary club book list.
If you're still interested, move on to the next chapter for the sign up sheet.
YOU ARE READING
Bookshelf Book Club - Guide
RandomAn unusual kind of book club where you have to give comments to get comments - but YOU choose the stories, and the level of commitment. Read on for details!
