E.G. Gammon
09-19-2006, 06:10 AM
As of Monday, September 18, 2006:
Due to the amount of spam we've been getting lately, and the confusion over what type of promotion is permissible in this forum, I've decided to post this "rules" thread to help clear things up.
Note 1: Any thread posted that doesn't follow these rules will automatically be deleted and marked as spam.
Note 2: This list will be updated if necessary and all the rules on it are subject to change, so check here often.
Note 3: If you want to post a thread here but aren't sure whether or not it's allowed, feel free to drop me a private message and I'll tell you if it's ok to post it.
1) If your thread isn't writing related, it is spam, and doesn't belong here.
This is kind of a no-brainer, but I think it needs to be said. If your thread isn't related to writing or writers AT ALL, don't post it! It's spam.
2) 'Announcements...' vs 'Goals and Accomplishments'
There is a different between what you should post here and what belongs in the 'Goals and Accomplishments' board. Something like "I finished Chapter One today" is an accomplishment, but nothing to announce - at least not here, among legitimate announcements dealing with the actual publishing of books/stories or events like book signings and such. And goals aren't really newsworthy enough to be announced among actual announcements.
3) Do not promote your or anyone else's writing-related message board.
In the past, I've let this slide, but I think it's better if we put a stop to it. Honestly, the only reason why I haven't before, is because there was never an offical rule posted anywhere against it (other than Jenna's rule about links in your signature). Well, now there is. One of the main reasons why we prefer you not promote your message board here is to avoid cross-board discussions and newbies assuming the two of us have some affiliation (which could result in us being blamed for a discussion-gone-wrong there, a discussion we have no moderation over). The ONLY exception to this rule is if you have a message board dedicated to a specific topic NOT DISCUSSED here at AW (and in this case, a disclaimer will be added to your post stating: "Absolute Write does not endorse or have any affiliation with this or any other message board unless stated so by management"). Some examples, promoted here in the past: An All-Spanish Speaking Writing Forum and a Gay/Lesbian Fiction Forum.
4) Don't post an announcement about a thread you've posted somewhere else at AW.
This sounds like a weird rule, but it has happened. If you posted an excerpt in Share Your Work, that post is enough. Don't announce it here that you posted it and are looking for feedback.
5) Don't double post the same thread you posted somewhere else at AW.
Post ONE thread on your topic and that's it. This rule can be applied to AW in general. One thread is enough so be sure to scan the forum topics and choose the better one to put your thread in. And please don't double post the same message in the same forum, if your first message runs off the page.
6) What "Announcements, Events, and Self-Promotion" means:
Announcements are any writing-related news items, dealing with the publishing, review, release or media mention of your novel, article, short story, poem, etc... Events refer to book signings or other media promotions. And Self-Promotion refers to interviews or websites of WRITERS ONLY. Any writing-related service you want to promote, belongs in the "Writing-Related Services Promotion" sticky thread.
7) Writers' Websites Thread:
To avoid you having to devote an entire thread to promoting your website, I have created the "Writers' Websites Thread," one of the sticky posts at the top of the board. It should be noted that if you want to promote your BLOG, posting your link in the sticky thread in the Blogging forum might be more appropriate.
8) Writing-Related Services Promotion:
I have opened the Writing-Related Services Thread for anyone wanting to advertise their WRITING-RELATED SERVICES (i.e. Editing, Website/Blog Design, Advertising Opportunities, Seminars, etc). While advertising your services there, PLEASE mention how it can benefit the writers on this message board. If your services don't apply to writers in any way, then your message is spam.
Thanks.
-E.G.
Moderator
Due to the amount of spam we've been getting lately, and the confusion over what type of promotion is permissible in this forum, I've decided to post this "rules" thread to help clear things up.
Note 1: Any thread posted that doesn't follow these rules will automatically be deleted and marked as spam.
Note 2: This list will be updated if necessary and all the rules on it are subject to change, so check here often.
Note 3: If you want to post a thread here but aren't sure whether or not it's allowed, feel free to drop me a private message and I'll tell you if it's ok to post it.
1) If your thread isn't writing related, it is spam, and doesn't belong here.
This is kind of a no-brainer, but I think it needs to be said. If your thread isn't related to writing or writers AT ALL, don't post it! It's spam.
2) 'Announcements...' vs 'Goals and Accomplishments'
There is a different between what you should post here and what belongs in the 'Goals and Accomplishments' board. Something like "I finished Chapter One today" is an accomplishment, but nothing to announce - at least not here, among legitimate announcements dealing with the actual publishing of books/stories or events like book signings and such. And goals aren't really newsworthy enough to be announced among actual announcements.
3) Do not promote your or anyone else's writing-related message board.
In the past, I've let this slide, but I think it's better if we put a stop to it. Honestly, the only reason why I haven't before, is because there was never an offical rule posted anywhere against it (other than Jenna's rule about links in your signature). Well, now there is. One of the main reasons why we prefer you not promote your message board here is to avoid cross-board discussions and newbies assuming the two of us have some affiliation (which could result in us being blamed for a discussion-gone-wrong there, a discussion we have no moderation over). The ONLY exception to this rule is if you have a message board dedicated to a specific topic NOT DISCUSSED here at AW (and in this case, a disclaimer will be added to your post stating: "Absolute Write does not endorse or have any affiliation with this or any other message board unless stated so by management"). Some examples, promoted here in the past: An All-Spanish Speaking Writing Forum and a Gay/Lesbian Fiction Forum.
4) Don't post an announcement about a thread you've posted somewhere else at AW.
This sounds like a weird rule, but it has happened. If you posted an excerpt in Share Your Work, that post is enough. Don't announce it here that you posted it and are looking for feedback.
5) Don't double post the same thread you posted somewhere else at AW.
Post ONE thread on your topic and that's it. This rule can be applied to AW in general. One thread is enough so be sure to scan the forum topics and choose the better one to put your thread in. And please don't double post the same message in the same forum, if your first message runs off the page.
6) What "Announcements, Events, and Self-Promotion" means:
Announcements are any writing-related news items, dealing with the publishing, review, release or media mention of your novel, article, short story, poem, etc... Events refer to book signings or other media promotions. And Self-Promotion refers to interviews or websites of WRITERS ONLY. Any writing-related service you want to promote, belongs in the "Writing-Related Services Promotion" sticky thread.
7) Writers' Websites Thread:
To avoid you having to devote an entire thread to promoting your website, I have created the "Writers' Websites Thread," one of the sticky posts at the top of the board. It should be noted that if you want to promote your BLOG, posting your link in the sticky thread in the Blogging forum might be more appropriate.
8) Writing-Related Services Promotion:
I have opened the Writing-Related Services Thread for anyone wanting to advertise their WRITING-RELATED SERVICES (i.e. Editing, Website/Blog Design, Advertising Opportunities, Seminars, etc). While advertising your services there, PLEASE mention how it can benefit the writers on this message board. If your services don't apply to writers in any way, then your message is spam.
Thanks.
-E.G.
Moderator