Thanks for the comments.
We're definitely above critically mass now so the new plan is a go.
Bookpossum, it wasn't anything you said! I had a full weekend so in the end decided I'd wait until Monday to reply. Lots to consider and I didn't want to reply too hastily when I didn’t have time to think on it properly.
paola, 3-8 as a range sounds good. I wasn't sure if three or four would be better as the minimum, so it's nice to hear some input.
desertblues, five or six as a minimum is a possibility too. Could it may be a little high for a minimum though? I was thinking either three or four, but if you'd rather a higher minimum it's a thought.
Billi and Bookpossum, thanks for the feedback on nominating and voting periods. When we first started, I think they were actually even longer than that, but we shortened them over the months and years to keep a nice pace going and it worked well. But it's been awhile so yes, we'll add a day to nominating and voting and see how it goes now.
Bookpossum, I like your poll idea. I also like your list and I had been trying to work on one as well, but no matter how it's configured there's always a few left off that seem deserving, so the best way might just be a one-off vote.
fantasyfan, thanks for your Biography/Memoirs suggestion. I'm open to trying it but with only half the categories surviving to the next 12 months, it might be a hard sell, especially over the more general Non-Fiction. With a poll we can put it with the other categories and leave it up to the vote. People might be in the mood for trying it.
Did I miss anything? I think that covers it all so far.