PenPal Readers discussion

Challenge Description
The way this challenge will work is you will have a month and a half (April 1st-May 15th) to fill out the Pen Pal Matching Form. In that time I will work hard to find you a match based on both of your preferences.

The challenge comes in the second portion from May 15th-June 30th. The goal is to correspond with your pen pal TWICE (so you should be writing to each other, through whatever medium you choose, two times!).
You can definitely shoot for a higher goal than that, especially if you get started in April or early May! I would also recommend trying to engage in more meaningful, longer correspondence as it might help build a friendship faster!

Please comment here notifying me that you're participating and note your "message number" that you will include in the form

Hopefully you guys enjoy the challenge and the connections you make and meet some awesome new people!

FAQ
Click here to read the FAQ

Click here to fill out the form

Please post here if you have questions about the challenge! I'm sure someone will have the same question you did and will be thankful (:

Where is the 'matching' form?
What criteria is used to match people?

I'm no longer considered a 'young person'. I cannot write letters to young people, in this day and age that is considered to be 'creepy'.

I would prefer to have a penpal in Europe, Australia, or Asia.

Great questions! I’ll be posting the form tonight and you’ll see that there are several questions about yourself (e.g., the books you like to read, how you’d like to communicate, etc) that I will try to base my matches on to the best of my ability!
I will be posting lists of the updated matches each week on a separate form as well as on goodreads!

Jazzy wrote: "Where is the 'matching' form? ..."

Zoe has the links up and running now! To participate in this challenge, visit the thread 'Info and Links Apr-June'
- there's a link for signing up to participate by filling out the matching form.
- there's a link to the spreadsheet where the pairings will be posted.

Afa wrote: "Can you add more genres to choose from? And maybe add the option to choose more than one?"

This is pretty important, yes.
And where are Biographies? French poetry? Classics? Science books? Beat poets? Gonzo journalism? etc.
My favourite genres aren't even on this list. In fact I don't see any non-fiction or literature.

And I'm sorry but i find the last question on that form really insulting. Well, no I'm not sorry. What were you thinking? Some of us are not 12 years old.

Jazzy wrote: "Afa wrote: "Can you add more genres to choose from? And maybe add the option to choose more than one?"

This is pretty important, yes.
And where are Biographies? French poetry? Classics? Science bo..."

Hi! The reason that I added a limited number of genres to the form was because there are already so many criteria that are being matched on so it's more important that you and your pair read the same type of books even if they differ a little bit! Thank you for your suggestions though I've added a couple genres! My main goal is to get the right gist of what everyone is reading without getting too bogged down in the details because then it will be too difficult for me to match you well.

and Jazzy I'm really sorry you find the last question offensive- I was just trying to include something playful and fun. However, I didn't mean to make it mandatory and have since changed that.

Thank you both for your feedback

I've updated the FAQ with an answer to that question so that it can be more helpful to other members as well!

If you've filled out the form already please also comment here that you're participating! If you haven't filled out the form yet please comment and then include your message number (e.g., this is message 11) when filling out the form!

I have already filled out the form prior to this post, I am participating.

Jessica wrote: "I have already filled out the form prior to this post, I am participating."

Awesome thank you for commenting !

I have filled out the form message 13

Cindee wrote: "I have filled out the form message 13"

Great! You're actually message 14 but I have you down (:

Participating! This sounds like fun.

Barbara wrote: "Participating! This sounds like fun."

I'm glad you think so! Happy to have you!

I filled out the form but where do I find the number you are asking for?

Patricia wrote: "I filled out the form but where do I find the number you are asking for?"

You can see it right after your post your comment! I got it (: your message number is 18

I'm in for this challenge :)

Anne wrote: "I'm in for this challenge :)"

Yay!

I’ve signed up.

Rohini wrote: "I’ve signed up."

great! now all you have to do is fill out the form!

Erm, I can’t find my post number anywhere (I’m posting this from the GoodReads app on my cellphone).

Hey, I've already filled out the form. Should I fill another one to include the post number?

Rohini wrote: "I’ve signed up."

Rohini, your message number is 22... oops, you are RIGHT, it doesn't seem that the Goodreads App shows the message numbers? That's ok, we'll reply back with message numbers anytime needed!

Going to partake in this. No clue what my message number is

Kathleen wrote: "Going to partake in this. No clue what my message number is"

Hi Kathleen, your message number is 28! Thanks for signing up!

Hey Jennifer! You don’t need to fill out another form, you’re good!

This is my first challenge ever! Hope it goes ok, I'm in! :)

Yay Juana I am so glad!! We’re so happy to have you!

I am currently filling out the form hope this goes great!

Filling out the form. This sounds exciting.

I’m in and thanks for organising!

Quick Question: I know the challenge is two communications. Will there be a ice breaking topic? A universal way to start off the communication?

Ok, here's my comment to go with the form ;)

Jessica, that’s a great idea! I’ll include some conversation starting questions when I release the first wave of pairs

I am game too !! Really perked up with the challenge. Filled the form and I am message 38.

I would like to participate. This sounds fun!

Thank you to everyone who’s starting signing up! I have been working on the pairs and should be posting the first wave on Friday!

This sounds a lot of fun!

Thank you to all who have filled out the form so far (: I am so excited to be connecting all of you to your new pen pals!

im signing up :)

I'm in

I'm joining!

Awesome! Thank you Karyssa, Muhammad and Jen for signing up!

Signing up.

Jid wrote: "Signing up."

Happy to have you!

Signed up!

I'm joining!

Joining as well