Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

1. These may not be popular with everybody but we decided that rather than open it up to discussion we're just going to roll with them. Sorry to be so autocratic but sometimes it's easier from an admin perspective to just make decisions.

2. 10 month season ending on Halloween. The rationale is we need an offseason and the holidays work out best for everybody.

3. Page count top 5 English versions unless you're actually reading the non-English version. We'll be posting some screenshots for directions on this to ease confusion. The rationale is there were some 300K word count books counting less than some a third of that size. It's imperfect but unless we had a word count for every book out there there isn't a better way.

4. Point system:
Audio: 1:1
Read: 1.25/1 = 5/4
Graphic 1/4

BR: 1/3 bonus
For Buddy Reads points to count, you can start reading the book one week before the BR start date or join in within 2 weeks after start date. These bonus points are to encourage discussion so you may only get the BR bonus if you participate in the discussion, not just simply reading at the same time.

Challenge: 1/10 bonus
For challenge points to count, you can use any challenge that you have a tracker set up in this group.

5. New people joining 100 post minimum.

6. For people signing up later than the initial draft, once you are added to the challenge, you may include points starting from the day you signed up for the challenge.

Announcements will be posted whenever necessary.

*Note: Old threads will be archived to avoid confusion. You can still find them in the Archives [General].

I know this might be a nitpick, but I don't think those were the Year 2 point rules, as discussed and implemented into the 2019 sheets...

Audio: 1:1
Read: 1.25/1 = 5/4
Graphic 1/4

BR: 1/3 bonus
Challenge: 1/10 bonus

Basically, Reading was a bonus instead of Audio being a penalty... just asking because this means we'll need to fix all the formulas for 2020...

I think this might be a case where there was an error in the rules from the 2019 page, and it was never edited, despite a ton of discussion over the confusion throughout the year...

@Jenna - Can I carry forward my personal challenges from this year and add challenge points instead of doing the traditional Bingo, A-Z, and Color challenge?

@Iain - I will amend the original post when I get home later. The rules should be the same as what was done for the spread sheet for Year 2. I copied this post from last year's rule thread.

@Em as long as you have a thread set up in the group, yes, you may include them.

Jenna wrote: "@Em as long as you have a thread set up in the group, yes, you may include them."

great! thanks. :D

Edited the point system to the correct one. If it still doesn't match the spreadsheet numbers, let me know and I'll edit it again.

For bookcover prompts for challenges do we have to use the edition we're currently reading from, or is there an option of using any one cover from the first 5 editions that show up? (Like with page count)

For example, for Bingo Challenge description: "a book with a person on the cover" do I have to use my owned edition or do I have the option to choose a different edition (one of the top 5) if mine doesn't have a person on the cover?

Jenna wrote: "@Iain - I will amend the original post when I get home later. The rules should be the same as what was done for the spread sheet for Year 2. I copied this post from last year's rule thread."

I saw this, by the way, and I think everything is sorted now... just knowing the spreadsheet is right 99% sorts it, since nobody does their own math, anyway...

Maria wrote: "For bookcover prompts for challenges do we have to use the edition we're currently reading from, or is there an option of using any one cover from the first 5 editions that show up? (Like with page..."

I think generally, they preferred you use the copy you owned, or the most popular edition / edition you used for highest pagecount... mostly don't go looking for an obscure cover to meet the requirements...

I know we discussed this at some point in previous years... but if you want veracity, you can link your book cover thread somwhere in the top section of the sheet (like I did in 2018/2019), and use book cover links in your book cover challenge thread to confirm accuracy... otherwise, you just tell people what you're doing in the competition data input where asked (Y/N is good enough, but a bunch use Book Cover, Incomplete, A-Z as inputs for clarity)...

There's no real competition police... this is all in fun, with no reward, so we go on the Trust System, for everybody playing fair...

Maria wrote: "For bookcover prompts for challenges do we have to use the edition we're currently reading from, or is there an option of using any one cover from the first 5 editions that show up? (Like with page..."

Like Iain said, just don't go looking for an obscure cover (like the old paperback edition of the Polish translation) to fit your requirements. Otherwise, I think using either your own edition or one of the 5 most popular is fine.

Maybe a God Mod will lay down the law...?

Thanks, Iain and Virginie!

Can I get a couple of clarifications on challenges?

1. Do challenges in the individual set challenges folder count? I used the diversity challenge last year but I'm now wondering is that's okay.
2. I know the TBReviewed challenge was ruled inadmissible but would it be possible to use it for books read within the time period of the challenge? Because (a) it involves work so it's arguably not a sweeper all-books count challenge and (b) it would be really good to have an extra motivation for reviewing things. I mean, really good. And I'd really like to have an alternative to the incomplete series challenge.

So I’ve decided to do a short story a day but am doing them in the form of audio podcasts. They generally run anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour and 20 minutes. Is there anyway to include them for the challenge? Not that I’ve done so far are listed on Goodreads.

Greetings 😜😂 GrandSlayers of the Scythedom,

Quick query: we still have the fortnight leeway (front and back) to start a BR and still have it count as valid, right?

Bill wrote: "So I’ve decided to do a short story a day but am doing them in the form of audio podcasts. They generally run anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour and 20 minutes. Is there anyway to include them for..."

@Sir Billiam...please share your links and small reviews! I love that thread and reach each post with interest. IMO, of COURSE they count! I'd say do your thing, and make a fairly approx eyeball/guesstimate....its all on the honour system anyway.......

But wait...😳 which team you on??

Bill wrote: "So I’ve decided to do a short story a day but am doing them in the form of audio podcasts. They generally run anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour and 20 minutes. Is there anyway to include them for..."

I asked the same question last year and I was told that podcasts that aren't on Goodreads, because they don't have an ISBN or something doesn't count...

Wait, are the challenges have to be the challenges created in this group or we could use others?

And, how to mark a short story/novelette/novella etc?

Bill wrote: "So I’ve decided to do a short story a day but am doing them in the form of audio podcasts. They generally run anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour and 20 minutes. Is there anyway to include them for..."

Sir Anni wrote: "I asked the same question last year and I was told that podcasts that aren't on Goodreads, because they don't have an ISBN or something doesn't count..."

Actually, the magazine (Lightspeed) has its issues listed on Goodreads, so the podcast is technically the audiobook for it. So counting it should be fine :)

Determining the page count is a bit more tricky, since not all stories on an individual issue are read in the podcast, and furthermore the magazine has articles, interviews and reviews... Technically, you're only reading a part of each issue so you can't really use the page count given on GR.
I'd say "number of minutes"/2, with maybe a little reduction (since there's always a bit of introductory talk before the host/narrator starts telling the story) is a good approximation.

I have an entire spreadsheet dedicated to just short stories, but that's a monster you don't need to see :p

Virginie wrote: "Bill wrote: "So I’ve decided to do a short story a day but am doing them in the form of audio podcasts. They generally run anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour and 20 minutes. Is there anyway to inc..."

Yeah, that sounds more like the Worm Podcast, which counted as well :)

Yup. It's called a podcast because of the way it's published/delivered to the public, but it's actually an audiobook of a short stories anthology/collection.

Virginie wrote: "Bill wrote: "So I’ve decided to do a short story a day but am doing them in the form of audio podcasts. They generally run anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour and 20 minutes. Is there anyway to inc..."

To reiterate what Virginie has said - if it is listed on Goodreads, you can count it. For the page count, I'm going to trust Virginie's calculations here as well and trust that no one is going to try to cheat the system for more points.

Silvana wrote: "Wait, are the challenges have to be the challenges created in this group or we could use others?

And, how to mark a short story/novelette/novella etc?"

As long as you have a challenge thread made in this group, it doesn't need to be one of the challenges created by FBR. However, if your challenge is offline or in another group, this will not count toward challenge points.

Yea, we discussed this with the BBC audio dramas last year, for doctor who/etc... most narrators read a page every 2 minutes...

Thanks everyone. I might just do a cumulative entry each month. I will post here to get input an double check the score before entering. I have a bad habit of not keeping up with these daily things so this may all be for nothing.

May I get a ruling on post #14?

Sha wrote: "May I get a ruling on post #14?"

I'm not a mod, but I AM the one who got the ball rolling on not counting the challenge in 2019, I think...

To that end, I think the changes you and Niki made for 2020 sound reasonable to allow, since you only have a week (or less) to review a book to count it towards the TBReviewed challenge, the way your counting points this year...

In 2019, I was just pushing to rate books (which seemed easier than reviewing them all) and I STILL fell way behind...

How about this question

"... how to mark a short story/novelette/novella etc?"

I don't see how I could enter a book and mark it into one of those categories. Or should I create another column myself?

Silvana wrote: "How about this question

"... how to mark a short story/novelette/novella etc?"

I don't see how I could enter a book and mark it into one of those categories. Or should I create another column mys..."

I don’t think you need to mark them. Some people do, but only to track their reading habits I think. Is that what you want to do?

Sir Anni wrote: "Silvana wrote: "How about this question

"... how to mark a short story/novelette/novella etc?"

I don't see how I could enter a book and mark it into one of those categories. Or should I create an..."

There is a box in my sheet that shows how many short story, novella etc I read. I want to know how and where I should categorize in my sheet after I read a book and thus getting all the totaled figures for each category. Not an excel expert as well here :D

I already know which of the books I read that are novellas etc.

Anni is right, it's only to track your reading habits and has no influence on your points.

It's done automatically based on the number of pages. If I remember right, the thresholds I set are:
- short stories: 1-50
- novellas: 51-250
- books: 251-600
- tomes: 601+

If you want to change these, tell me here and I'll modify the formulas.

Timelord Iain wrote: "Sha wrote: "May I get a ruling on post #14?"

I'm not a mod, but I AM the one who got the ball rolling on not counting the challenge in 2019, I think...

To that end, I think the changes you and Ni..."

Sha wrote: "May I get a ruling on post #14?"

This sounds reasonable. Let's go with that.

Virginie wrote: "Anni is right, it's only to track your reading habits and has no influence on your points.

It's done automatically based on the number of pages. If I remember right, the thresholds I set are:
- sh..."

Yes, I was going to use it to track the habit.

The page calculation are a bit difficult for me since I use the Hugo Award standard which is based on words, not pages...

Short story: fewer than 7,500 words
Novelette: between 7,500 and 17,500 words
Novella: between 17,500 and 40,000 words
Novel: beyond 40,000 words

I think I'll just skip that counting. Sorry for the trouble, I should have asked earlier when you gave the screen shot :D

How about an approximate version of the Hugo Award standard, based on the assumption that 1 page = 250 words? That gives:
Short story: 1-29
Novelette: 30-69
Novella: 70-159
Novel: 160+

Otherwise, you can go the manual way. I can create a column for you to enter the 'type', and modify the little counter & graph to tally each type.

Virginie wrote: "Otherwise, you can go the manual way. I can create a column for you to enter the 'type', and modify the little counter & graph to tally each type."

Hmm maybe that could work.

I would refrain from using word-to-page standard. Going manual would be best since we have information on the categories either from the publisher or recommended reading lists like the Locus one.

Thank you!

Thanks for the clarification on the TBReviewed challenge~

Silvana wrote: "Hmm maybe that could work."

It's implemented on your sheet :)

Jenna wrote: "There is virtually no change in the rules regarding points and editions. I will include a copy of the Year 2 rules solely for reference.

1. These may not be popular with everybody but we decided t..."

Hi Jenna!! I spent most of last year chasing my 2 year old around and teaching my 10 year old how to play D&D, karate and choir singing and didn't have any time to read. BUT, I miss it. I'd like to join a group somewhere in your contest here again. I'm hoping for 35-40 books. I hope that life will be a little slower with my youngest being 3 now ;-) Thanks so much, and I look forward to my buddy reads and interactions again!

Chris wrote: "Jenna wrote: "There is virtually no change in the rules regarding points and editions. I will include a copy of the Year 2 rules solely for reference.

1. These may not be popular with everybody bu..."

Just copy that over to https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... for visibility

That's the signup thread... they've been pretty good about adding people this year... lots of interest, with group interaction up 1000% the past 2 week :D

Reckon my question got overlooked with ppl answering Bill about shortstories...we still have the fortnight leeway for BRs, right?
Knowing that is very helpful during the scheduling...

Zaara wrote: "Reckon my question got overlooked with ppl answering Bill about shortstories...we still have the fortnight leeway for BRs, right?
Knowing that is very helpful during the scheduling..."

Yes.

Thanks Jenna. Hope your engagement ceremony went well...in October, wasn't it? Happy New Year.

Zaara wrote: "Thanks Jenna. Hope your engagement ceremony went well...in October, wasn't it? Happy New Year."

Probably not me - I got engaged a couple of years ago. But happy new year to you as well, Zaara!

Jenna wrote: "Probably not me - I got engaged a couple of years ago. But happy new year to you as well, Zaara!"

😂😂😂 yeah deffo some other Jenna then...*facepalm*

Virginie wrote: "Silvana wrote: "Hmm maybe that could work."

It's implemented on your sheet :)"

For Buddy Reads to count, I remember you can start reading the book one week before the BR start date or join in within 2 weeks after start date.

Am I remembering that part correctly?

Soo wrote: "For Buddy Reads to count, I remember you can start reading the book one week before the BR start date or join in within 2 weeks after start date.

Am I remembering that part correctly?"

yes

Soo wrote: "For Buddy Reads to count, I remember you can start reading the book one week before the BR start date or join in within 2 weeks after start date.

Am I remembering that part correctly?"

Yes, I will add this to the rules so it will be clearer for future reference.

Jenna wrote: "Soo wrote: "For Buddy Reads to count, I remember you can start reading the book one week before the BR start date or join in within 2 weeks after start date.

Am I remembering that part correctly?..."

Can we add to this rule that you have to actively participate to get BR points and not just read the book at the same time the Buddy Read takes place?

Sir Anni wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Soo wrote: "For Buddy Reads to count, I remember you can start reading the book one week before the BR start date or join in within 2 weeks after start date.

Am I remembering that p..."

Yes, this is implied, but I will add it to the rules.