I should think that if a book with a hold for designation has been on step 1 for a long time (say, a month) and another person really wants to validate that book, he or she should contact the submitter and ask for the book. The "hold for" person may not have known the book was on step 1 or may have had some other something happen in life (it happens to all of us) and may truly no longer be interested in validating that book. I don't see how asking could hurt anything. I really doubt anyone is trying to withhold books from other people. It's just that there probably was a specific reason a book is being held for a certain validator. Jamie in Michigan Currently Reading - Goose in the Pond - Earlene Fowler Join Audible Now and Get TWO FREE DOWNLOADS!