How do I get a notebook?

Use the Sign-Up link to be added to the list.

What if I’m outside the U.S.?

No matter where you’re located, if you want to participate in the project please sign up. To date there are participants from Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Singapore, Spain and the United Kingdom, with I hope residents of many other countries to follow.

What if I’m not a blogger?

While the concept of the project originally began as something collaborative among the blogging community, it is open to anyone who wants to participate, bloggers and non-bloggers alike. Participants to date range in age from 15 to 86 years old, so again the project is open to everyone.

How long will it take to receive a notebook?

There is no way to know for sure how long it will take for a notebook to make it to each participant. They are forwarded on a first-come, first-served basis, according to when you sign up.

You can keep track of where you are on the list by checking the Future Participants page, which lists participants in the order in which they signed up for the project. The Upcoming Contributors page displays those who currently have a notebook, or to whom one is or will shortly be en route.

How long with the project continue?

The project was launched in August of 2008 and will continue as long as there is someone who wants to participate.

How long can I keep the notebook?

Each participant is asked to keep their notebook for no more than two weeks. As there are many people waiting to contribute, the goal is to keep each notebook moving along.

What if I need longer than two weeks?

Life happens, and we all know things come up which throw our schedules off track. If you need more than two weeks to finish your contribution, just let me know. Please also let me know if for whatever reason you won’t have time to work on a notebook. Whenever it’s your turn I will e-mail you, and if you know your schedule is going to be busy I can keep you at the top of the list until you have more time.

Can I give the notebook to someone else while I have it?

Yes! Several participants shared their notebooks with family members or friends while their notebook was in their care. Ideally, even if you share the notebook with someone else you should still aim to send it on its way after the two week period, but if you think it will take more time all I ask is that you let me know so I can keep track.

What should I contribute?

You’re in complete creative control, so what you write/draw/collage is entirely up to you! Be it a simple truth, lesson learned, the best of, the worst of, something to make us laugh, cry, or simply to think about and be aware; each contribution in whatever form is a singular statement of your choosing. There are no word or page limits, so whether you write only one page or journal every day you have your notebook, you decide what or how much you want to share. If you do write something, please paste/double-sided tape in an image that relates to, or has inspired, what you’ve written. Whatever you decide upon, please start or finish your entry with your first name, city and state or country (so we’ll know where it’s been).

What do I do when I’m finished?

Please e-mail me for the name and address of the next participant. Before sending your notebook on, please also send me a copy of your contribution so no one’s efforts are lost and your page(s) can be published. A high-resolution color scan e-mailed to me is preferred, but if you don’t have access to a scanner a regular old photocopy sent snail mail is also perfectly fine.

What happens to my contribution?

Contributions will be published on this blog in the order in which they are received. An online compilation will also be published when enough are received, with hopefully a hard-copy as well.

What happens to the notebooks?

At this point I’m not absolutely positive, as what will ultimately happen with each notebook will depend upon how the project evolves. While I do plan for the original notebooks to be returned to me, once I’ve had a little bit of time to be selfish with them and turn and absorb all the pages firsthand, I do plan to make them available, possibly by offering them via auction with proceeds benefiting a non-profit organization.

Thanks for your interest in and support of Do Not Leave Unattended! If you have any other questions not covered here, please contact me.