August 5, 2005
[This occasional newsletter is sent to members of BookCrossing.com. See the bottom of this newsletter for simple removal instructions.]
A Convention by Any Other Name
The annual BookCrossing Convention held in April celebrates the founding (Birthday? Anniversary? Start? Launching? ) of BookCrossing. Thus far it has been in North America. It is possible that in the future, if other countries wish to host it, and send in proposals etc, that it will move. Then it will be The BookCrossing Convention in East Somewhere rather than The BookCrossing Convention in North America. But — as much as many folks would like to have one international convention to satisfy and unite us all, logistics, locations and travel expenses just don't make that possible. We have local Conventions, Mega-Gatherings and other celebrations of BookCrossing. That's fine. These events are usually called Conventions, which is also fine. For right now, we'll stick with using the country tags to help everyone know the actual location of the event.
Announcing our Group Order Form for the Supply Store and Our Newest Forum!
You've been wanting a way to place group orders, and we've worked one out for you! Presenting the BookCrossing Group Order Form! It is a simple downloadable PDF (it is a PDF format, so you'll need the free Acrobat Reader software) to help you and your friends place an order with our store. As we are always adding new treats to the stock, please check online to obtain the number for new items (there's space to fill some in, or you can attach a clearly written (typed is preferable!) sheet with any extras that need to be included. Instructions for designation of wings and shipping are included as well. Looking to have some fun with your BC friends? The Fun and Games Forum is the place to post games, quizzes, polls, trivia, memes, and any internet oddities you'd like to share. See you there! Keep your great ideas coming! Thanks!
The Perfect BookCrossing Gift
 Stumped what to get the BookCrosser who has everything? Don't know how to surprise that newbie you've met in the forum and like so much? Want to get a gift for your BookCrossing buddy, but they live an ocean away and you'd hate to surprise them with something they already have? Whether it's the Dog Days of summer, or the dead of winter, our Supply Store has the perfect solution to your gift giving dilemma.
How about giving them a gift that shows true BookCrossing Support- Wings for a Year? We leave the telling of who winged them up to you, but help them to flutter for a full 365 days. If they ask us who winged them we just say,"The Wing Fairy! Honest!". Or you can give a BookCrossing Gift Certificate, which allows them to choose their own supplies and gear from our store. That way, it's sure to be the right size, color or product because they choose! Our Supply store is also able to take your donations to BookCrossing. Your support does make a difference and we thank you. The BookCrossing Supply Store accepts payments with major credit cards, by US check, money order or PayPal.
Support Team Spills Secrets!
Do you find yourself moaning, "The site won't let me log in!" or "Why am I not receiving PMs?" Do you sob gently in your pillow,"I can't make a release note. I really want to set my books free. Why can't I????" Do you mutter under your breath, "You need to check your statistics. It lists me as the only member in the US. Surely that can't be right?" Well, be sure to read the article in this week's Newsletter by our Support Team. Full of tips, it will help you make the most of your BookCrossing experience. Our team has tackled some of the most frequest (definition frequest: n. Frequent Requests to the BookCrossing Support Team) questions and problems and given you the benefit of their collective experience. Check it out!
Looking for a Fun BookCrossing Event This Summer?
Be sure to check the Conventions and Meetings Forum, as well as the Announcements Forum, for all sorts of BookCrossing opportunities. There's an August 5 London Meeting, a wonderful-sounding picnic in Zurich, a Festival in Belfast and a September 10 picnic in Toronto, for starters. Why not grab a plane ticket and head to all three? For other special get-togethers, as well monthly meet-ups and gatherings, check the forum regularly!
In The News
 BookCrossing made the UK papers several times over! First off, we got a mention in this article. Scroll down to the author's "Rule #2". But author, Viv Groskop, really gets the idea of BC in this article. Don't believe us? Well, how about this for the start of a description of what BookCrossing is:
The concept is finders-keepers meets interactive virtual lending library. The rules are simple. First take a book down from your shelf. It should be one you love. (Ideally, if you ruled the world you would make reading of this book compulsory.)
AM I THE ONLY ONE???
Please say it's not so
by Diana Archie (didy2102)
HELP!!! It has been two weeks since I have sat down and read a book!!! That may not be a big deal to some people but for a read-a-aholic and a bookcrossing-a-holic it is major....
[read it all at http://www.bookcrossing.com/articles/1872]
THE BOOK WAS SNATCHED RIGHT OUT OF MY HANDS!
A Special Release Story
by Storyteller Mike Miller (greatstories)
The day I was to release my first book was exciting. I wanted to see who would read it and where it would go....
[read it all at http://www.bookcrossing.com/articles/1882]
HOW TO MAKE BOOKCROSSING WORK FOR YOU!
Having trouble with the site? 10 Support Team tips to help you out!
by The BookCrossing Support Team (BCSupportTeam)
Daily, your erstwhile Answer team on the BookCrossing Support Staff hear the woes, complaints and compliments of our BookCrossing family. With over 382,000 members worldwide, a number of questions reoccur. So, in an effort to help you better navigate the site, we have compiled the following "Top Ten" problems and possible solutions. This is not to discourage you from writing us, but may save some time and prevent frustration. And we all know that time saved means more time for BookCrossing! PS: just a reminder, too, that our frequent questions link (found under the link for "home" on the left of the page and TexasWren's site Wren's Crossing have a lot of frequently asked questions and the answers to them. ...
[read it all at http://www.bookcrossing.com/articles/1883]
CALL FOR WRITERS
Want to write for BookCrossing? If your article is accepted, you could see it featured here in the next newsletter. What topics do we need? Anything about books, reading, or BookCrossing — tutorials, release and catch stories, well-traveled book stories, funny BookCrossing experience stories — you get the idea. Write it up, then submit it here:
http://www.bookcrossing.com/articles/submit
Top 10 Countries All-Time
| USA |  179,073 (47%) |
| UNITED KINGDOM | 32,061 (8%) |
| CANADA | 28,047 (7%) |
| GERMANY | 24,662 (6%) |
| SPAIN | 18,171 (5%) |
| AUSTRALIA | 17,449 (5%) |
| ITALY | 13,165 (3%) |
| FRANCE | 6,457 (2%) |
| PORTUGAL | 5,432 (1%) |
| NETHERLANDS | 5,123 (1%) |
Top 10 Countries Last Week
| USA | 834 (31%) |
| UNITED KINGDOM | 797 (30%) |
| GERMANY | 182 (7%) |
| CANADA | 121 (5%) |
| AUSTRALIA | 93 (3%) |
| FRANCE | 57 (2%) |
| SPAIN | 57 (2%) |
| NETHERLANDS | 52 (2%) |
| ITALY | 38 (1%) |
| BELIZE | 33 (1%) |
Wild books released by our members are being caught all over the world, every day! Our site watch forum is where members post news of great wild book catches. Here are some of the best from the last few days...
 My first journal from a wild release!
I'm unreasonably excited about this! lol
I left this book on a picnic table at a popular summertime restaurant in my city, on the first night of a folk festival in the neighbouring park, and now it's been journaled by a five year old! YAY!!! http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/book_-Rapunzel-(Favorite-Fairy-Tales-Series)-(retold-by)-Rochelle-Larkin
by JessicaEby
One of the two books I released over the weekend in Woodstock, VT has been picked
up and journaled! I left the books in the Village Green on a bench and this kind person found it and took the time to journal it. http://bookcrossing.com/---/3073020 I am thrilled that the person appreciates the concept and will probably send the book off again! Thank you crzyirishwmn! New member too!
by QueenMummy
Caught in Prague
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/1091220
An Anonymous Finder entry, but it seems that the book will see its fourth country on its journey (USA- Germany- Czech Republic- perhaps on its way to Austria).
FYI: The trip from Prague to Vienna is just a small hop in American terms (about 200 miles).
by Herrundmeyer
And one more.
I was glad to hear back from this themed release. It started pouring down rain soon after I left it outdoors.
http://bookcrossing.com/---/2246053 And s/he joined too!
by guinaveve
wow, Boreal, your book is collecting members!
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/ good onya!
by grooble
Wow, three "oldies" checking in at the same time!
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/794198
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/288309
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/877587 These three just passed together on the "Recently caught" list! Wow!!
by owlet
''Thank you so much for opening me up to this transplendant experience''
This is such a great journal entry! http://bookcrossing.com/---/3068686
by erulissenen
Book caught after 13+ months! =)
And it's the first of mine ever caught from a release there! =) http://bookcrossing.com/---/957997
by havfaith
A second catch for Emma...
...and she's on her way to Montreal! My first second catch- a great way to begin a long weekend (it's BC Day on Monday- one of those invented holidays that give us a long weekend where there didn't used to be one... I'm NOT complaining!)
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/book_-Emma-Jane-Austen
by lexish
New record for me, same book, released 3x, caught 3x
I think the most I've ever had, so far, is double release and catch for same book. And this book even resulted in 2 new BCers. http://bookcrossing.com/---/1459245
by Zmrzlina
Book released in memory of 4-lele's daughter caught!
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/2998480 Lovely. I found the whole journal touching
by bookczuk
"I was thrilled to find it waiting for me....."
Pleased with this one- new member too! http://bookcrossing.com/---/3027878
by Anne-Elliott
journalled after 2 years!
a nice catch for k-j-h in Geelong. http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/
by grooble
"..i chased after her because she left her book.."
This is cute! The book went from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to London, England. http://bookcrossing.com/---/1823257
by Catwoman
Nice one in the surgical waiting room
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/2564884
by gnissorckoob
All of our newsletters, including this one, are archived on the web at http://www.bookcrossing.com/newsletterarchive.
This newsletter is sent only to members of BookCrossing.com. If you would prefer to not receive this newsletter in the future, you can change your newsletter preference anytime by visiting:
http://www.bookcrossing.com/newsletterpref/.
|
