We’ve got fun activities planned for every hour! This does NOT mean you have to check in every hour; most mini-challenges and prize drawings will be open for at least two hours. It just means that whenever you do need a break, there should be a couple of activities available.

We’re really excited to have prizes to give away every single hour! This means that every time you check in, there will be at least one prize you can try for.

Remember, Readers can also act as Cheerleaders for other Readers during breaks. Feel free to visit your fellow Readers and encourage them. You can find all the readers on the original sign-up page.

We have Angels who have agreed to send prizes internationally if the prize donor is unable to send internationally. Basically, the prize will get sent to the Angel and that Angel will ship the prize to you international folks. Cool, huh?

Here are some links you may want to bookmark; you may need to use them throughout the event:

• The prize list
• You can email your hosts Trish, Bethany, Kim, Shesten, or Jennifer at DeweyReadathon at gmail.
• Original sign-up page with Mr. Linky (please be sure you’ve signed up if you’re participating)
• The Read-a-thon FAQ page
• The Twitter hashtag is #readathon. We will be twittering from @readathon.

Here are some tips from past read-a-thon participants:

a. When you stop reading to write an updating post, come here to check in for mini-challenges and prize drawings before you post. I think some people missed some of these last time because they posted and went straight back to reading. Also, you will probably need frequent reading breaks to stay sane!

b. Have an audio book on hand for when you want to run errands, pick up kids, do some chores, go for a run, etc. Some people found that audio books were also just nice breaks when their eyes were tired.

c. Start off with a short or light book so you have an early feeling of accomplishment when you finish it.

d. Have some light reading or humorous books for the end when you’re tired.

e. Have some pre-made snacks on hand so you don’t have to stop to make yourself meals.

f. Don’t forget to check regularly to see whether you’ve won a mini-challenge or drawing prize! One way to check is to look at your incoming links. If you have one from this blog, you may have won a prize. If you do win a prize, email DeweyReadathon at gmail with your mailing address so we can match you up with the prize donor.

Some Readers use a template for updating their blogs throughout the event. Here’s one suggestion for a template; you can make your own or adapt this one.

Title of book(s) read since last update:
Number of books read since you started:
Pages read since last update:
Running total of pages read since you started:
Amount of time spent reading since last update:
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)
Mini-challenges completed:
Other participants you’ve visited:
Prize you’ve won:

This might be a great template for you to use since we will have a contest at the end of the ‘thon for most pages read and longest time reading.

One reminder and one new thing:

• If you have a blog and use word verification, please turn it off for the duration of the read-a-thon. It makes it easier for the cheerleaders to cheer.
• We have new buttons! Check them out on the FAQ.

I want to thank everyone for participating! I know this is going to be a blast!

Are you ready?! Do you have your books picked out, your food planned out, and your reading spots staked out?

This first post will give you all the information we think you’ll need for the read-a-thon. After this post, you’ll see posts labeled Hour 1, Hour 2, Hour 3, etc, that will give you information on what is going on for that hour. The newest posts will be at the top, so if you’re away reading for quite a while, you may want to scroll down and read everything you missed.

We’ve got fun activities planned for every hour! This does NOT mean you have to check in every hour; most mini-challenges and prize drawings will be open for at least two hours. It just means that whenever you do need a break, there should be couple activities available.

We’re really excited to have prizes to give away every single hour! This means that every time you check in, there will be at least one prize you can try for.

Remember, Readers can also act as Cheerleaders for other Readers during breaks. Feel free to visit your fellow Readers and encourage them. We have a feed collection prepared, so that you can easily keep track of everyone.

Here are some links you may want to bookmark; you may need to use them throughout the event:

• Aerin’s feed page, with feeds both from readers and cheerleaders
• The prize list
• You can email your hosts Ana, Hannah, and Trish at DeweyReadathon at gmail.
• Original sign-up page with Mr. Linky (please be sure you’ve signed up if you’re participating)
• The Read-a-thon FAQ page
• The Twitter hashtag is #readathon. We will be twittering from @readathon.

Here are some tips from past read-a-thon participants:

a. When you stop reading to write an updating post, come here to check in for mini-challenges and prize drawings before you post. I think some people missed some of these last time because they posted and went straight back to reading. Also, you will probably need frequent reading breaks to stay sane!

b. Have an audio book on hand for when you want to run errands, pick up kids, do some chores, go for a run, etc. Some people found that audio books were also just nice breaks when their eyes were tired.

c. Start off with a short or light book so you have an early feeling of accomplishment when you finish it.

d. Have some light reading or humorous books for the end when you’re tired.

e. Have some pre-made snacks on hand so you don’t have to stop to make yourself meals.

f. Don’t forget to check regularly to see whether you’ve won a mini-challenge or drawing prize! One way to check is to look at your incoming links. If you have one from this blog, you may have won a prize. If you do win a prize, email Hannah at WordLily at gmail with your mailing address so she can match you up with the prize donor.

g. Rather than keeping one long post, if you create a new post every time you update, you will show up on Aerin’s feed page with new content.

Some Readers use a template for updating their blogs throughout the event. Here’s one suggestion for a template; you can make your own or adapt this one.

Title of book(s) read since last update:
Number of books read since you started:
Pages read since last update:
Running total of pages read since you started:
Amount of time spent reading since last update:
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)
Mini-challenges completed:
Other participants you’ve visited:
Prize you’ve won:

I want to thank everyone for participating! I know this is going to be a blast!