Here's the spot to introduce yourself and learn about how things work here. C'mon over and say hi!

Why Courier font? Sez who? What the heck is "standard ms format" and why does the Poetry crit area ask me for a password? How do I use my new astrolabe? -- All that stuff you're wondering about? The answer is probably here.

Basic writing questions for beginners and anyone else. Because the only dumb question is the one you don't ask.

Changes and Announcements regarding the Water Cooler

This is the ONLY board where press releases and advertising are allowed. Must relate to writers.

Geek speak, for those moments when you're considering tossing your computer out the window.

Welcome to our Library, where you'll find listings of our members who are published authors and where to find their works. Before posting, please visit The LIBRARIAN for guidelines on using and posting to the Library.

Hey, poets and fans, since a lot of poetry-sharing happens in here, we've put a password on the room. The password is: citrus

Here's where to check in about publishers, agents, and producers. Need to know if someone is legit? Want to share your experiences? This is the spot.

For those more peripheral or general discussions

Desperately seeking a beta reader? Want to be a beta reader? Want someone to write with who'll help you keep your pen in gear? Willing to offer your advice and encouragement to a newb? This board's all about the power of two, baby.

Our guest literary agents answer your questions.

Book editor Lauri Berkenkamp answers your questions.

Writing for magazines, e-zines, and newspapers

examiner.com, about.com, content sites, etc

Writers, swap market info here-- guidelines, contact info, publishing news and changes.

Editors, please post paying opportunities for writers here.

Editors, nonpaying markets belong here.

That space between spaces. A liminal place where anything can happen. If you're writing stuff that people say, "I like it, but I'm not sure what it IS..." then this is probably a good place for you.

(See this board for sub-genres.)

Biographies, memoirs, and autobiographies

Not just your grandad's Zane Grey - Westerns have invented and reinvented themselves since the days of the penny dreadful, and provided a milieu for the development of more than one modern American literary archetype. Whether your favorite western is Shane or Serenity--this is a place to talk about it.

A place to get together with your friends and talk about that book you just couldn't put down.

Writing about recipes, restaurants, reviewing, and food in general. Harriet Van Horne said, "Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all."

Games, Gaming, Writing for Games

Speeches, lectures, sermons, public service announcements . . . it all has to be written before it can be delivered aloud. Here's the place to talk about writing for public address.

The password for this forum is: citrus

The password for this forum is: andante

Here's where you can bat around those ideas that just aren't quite cooked, yet. Brainstorming, thorny plot dead-ends, and just not developed enough for SYW.

The password for this forum is: liberty - SYW critique forum for Op-ed, journalism, letters-to-the-editor, or scholarly writing concerning politics and current events.

NaNo 2008! Are you game? Are you motivated? Go for it, and find lots of support and commiseration!

Flash Fiction Submission Workshop

Post one for everyone to try, or come to participate!

Beating a bad habit? Dealing with a health issue? Trying to overcome an obstacle in your path? We're all conquering challenges in our lives. Here's a place we can support each other.

Writers goofing-off, making friends, and getting to know the community

Discuss your writing goals and how you're reaching them.

Where flame wars and thread collapses get booted and buried.

Rejection got you down? Share your tales of woe and your methods for dealing with rejection.

Absolute Write's book to support disaster relief efforts

To synchronize board policy with chat room protocols, brainstorm, and pass notes during class