Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

WHAT DO MODERATORS DO?

Usually we have an assigned task, plus a general role in keeping the forum from descending into the sort of problems that happen elsewhere.

The main tasks are:
- managing the A to Z Challenge (currently CJ)
- managing the Book Of The Month (currently Jemima)
-general housekeeping...
-- moving posts to more appropriate sections
-- monitoring spammy posts especially from people who join the group just to promote their MG book on as many Goodreads groups as possible. Main job is to check how spammy they are (by clicking on their name) and simply delete the post if you find they've put it in more than about five groups.
-- deleting posts that are not relevant to the group (mainly spam of YA and other books)*
-- deleting or archiving old promotion posts and Read4Review posts
-- kindly asking author members (and anyone else who needs a reminder) to keep to the Group Rules

Basically, the idea is to keep this a friendly place where everyone feels welcome. A 'light touch' as our founder said.

The BOTM would benefit from having two moderators running it, one to do the forum facing bits, posting the two monthly posts and chatting to people in them, and one the background bits like the polls and set up of the library bits. Or any other split you fancy.

If you are interested in becoming a moderator, please message Jemima on the Goodreads system, or at jemima dot pett at btinternet dot com.

*Existing members mentioning their non-MG books in the Authors Corner is acceptable, but not posting them in the Offers and Reviews areas.

Hiya!

I'd love to offer my volunteer services. Supporting the kidlit writing community is a great joy for me. I am a long time volunteer for WriteOnCon, the online kidlit conference, and I host a discord channel for MG and YA writers where we strive to be the kindest kidlit community around.

I'm here to help in any way I can.

Whether it's me or some other wonderful person who takes on this role, thank you for all you do!

Rebecca wrote: "Hiya!

I'd love to offer my volunteer services. Supporting the kidlit writing community is a great joy for me. I am a long time volunteer for WriteOnCon, the online kidlit conference, and I host a ..."

Thanks, Rebecca. That's a bit confusing, as Rebecca is already a mod, but we'll sort it out in the coming months. :)

Rebecca wrote: "Hiya!

I'd love to offer my volunteer services. Supporting the kidlit writing community is a great joy for me. I am a long time volunteer for WriteOnCon, the online kidlit conference, and I host a ..."

Hi again Rebecca.

The other Rebecca has confirmed she's stepping off the forum, so there'll be no confusion if you take up the role.

The only thing is... you've been a member of the group for three years or so, but never added any comments. Would you like to start being a bit active - maybe start with an introduction on the New Members thread. That always needs Mod attention, so please get used to it!

Jemima wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Hiya!

I'd love to offer my volunteer services. Supporting the kidlit writing community is a great joy for me. I am a long time volunteer for WriteOnCon, the online kidlit conferenc..."

Happy to.

Annie wrote: "hi maybe I can be a moderator! I'm not overly active here but I'll try to. After all talking about books and managing people is tons of fun!"

Well, looking at your profile, you're certainly active, and read all sorts of MG books I've not seen before. You might bring some of your friends along too. As I said to Rebecca, if you could try to be more active on the forum, we'll see how it goes.

PS Loved your review of Pride and Prejudice!

I'm still open to Annie and Rebecca becoming moderators if they are more active within the group, but for now, I'll be making an announcement of changes in a few days, and closing this thread.
Thank you all for your interest.