1) Yes, you can use a shield. You are sacrificing a natural attack by using that hand/claw to hold the shield though. Considering you are starting bipedal, +1 dex, +2 NA, +2 Imp Nat Armor evolution, +4 mage armor, you can be rocking a 19 AC at first level. The shield may not be necessary.
2) Posting rate depends on the GM. I like the players to be able to post daily. When things are going good I might post 3-4 times a day as a GM. But, I have been known to take 3 days to post when real life wants to interrupt a bit. Every other day is fine for many of the GMs. If you think you can only handle once a week, I am going to suggest that is too slow.
C) We cannot use Golarian places, material, deities or names. We do not have permission to author works with their IP property.
4) Usually a couple of months. If it is one or two pieces from an new book, that can go quicker. But, to review a new book like when Ultimate Magic came out, it took us six months for the judges to get copies and go over them with fine tooth combs. Then again, the Animal Archive took a week. So, it depends.