Jed, you can created a dedicated folder, book, or any other item. For example, if you don't have an upgrade, you could create one super-long static item and separate the assignments with headers.

You are not required to create any group-only items. However, many of our participants choose to do so anyway, and if you would like to, here's how you do it:
* Open your dedicated (group-only) item and click "edit"
* Scroll down to section #2, "Section 2: Content and Access Control Settings"
* Under Access Restrictions, select "October NaNo Prep Challenge Group"
* Save the item

Then when you go to the group page, you'll see your item on the list at the bottom. Be aware that setting your access restrictions to group-only will prevent anyone other than group members to see your work, so if you would like to share it with someone who is not a member of the group, you will have to remove the access restriction or create a passkey.

There is no dedicated group-only forum for the same reason - we want new people to join the Prep, and they can't join if they can't see it. Therefore, the forum remains public. However, the forum is used primarily by Preppers.

Bitem: You only have to use it for Contest Round entries. The first one is a week from today on Saturday, October 6th with a due date of 12:00 PM (noon) on Sunday, October 7th, Writing.Com time. Here's how you use the bitem command. I'll use an item from your own portfolio to demonstrate. Your item entitled "Atomic Angels: Introduction" has an item number of 1730925. Here's how you would link it in a forum post using bitem:

{bitem:1730925} =

Atomic Angels: real-world background  (13+) About my novel, child web models, hysteria, hypocrisy, censorship and the YA genre #1730925 by Jed Jones - banned novel

Regarding your project: You are not required to start a new project for the Prep. NaNoWriMo technically "requires" starting from scratch, but there are a group of "Nano Rebels" who deliberately break the rules on the basis that if it helps you complete a project or accomplish your goals, it's still a good thing. At the Prep, we are big fans of goals and accomplishment. Therefore, so long as you're spending 15 minutes per day working on each assignment, you're earning the applicable prizes.

And, finally, are you a "she," Jed? I wouldn't have guessed.

If you need any help or further explanations, please let me know.

Regards,
Michelle