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Participation Guidelines

All members joining our list do so on the understanding that we are an active writing group, with the condition of entry being that you are prepared to participate to the best of your ability. By participation, we mean primarily posting your writing, and editing, although there are plenty of other ways people can usefully contribute. Our small size means that we cannot carry ‘lurkers'.

HOWEVER, real life issues do take priority, and we know that members can't always participate as frequently as they would like. We don't expect anyone to put the list before their families, their health, jobs or whatever is paying the bills. We even allow for writer's block <g>

How frequently do we expect people to participate?

There isn't any fixed amount - it's really up to all members to find/make time. Even if you're posting once a month - an edit/beta, a poem, a story, a writing exercise etc, that's fine.

But what if I can't participate very often?

When you apply to join, let us know how often you think you'll be around - it'll stop us worrying about you if you suddenly go quiet. If real life rears its head, just let us know you'll be offline for a while.

So what kind of participation would I be expected to do?

It's set out in our mission statement. Basically, if you post your work, and expect people to critique it, then return the favour and edit someone else's. Although posting and editing are the main forms of participation, there are plenty of other ways people can usefully contribute; writing exercises, helping out on website stuff, sending in a review or recommendation, finding good articles etc - anything which will help people with their writing. We'll encourage any new features or projects you may come up with which relate to the goals of the group.

Is chat counted as participation?

Chat is a great way of getting to know the people on list, and it's an essential aspect of the support and encouragement our members give to each other. But our list isn't just a social list. If you're chatting, make sure you participate in other ways too - at the very least, edit other people's work. And please remember to label chat properly.

What happens if I decide the list isn't for me?

We'd hope that you'd talk to us first - if there's anything you're not getting, or if there's something you want to have a go at, we're happy to take suggestions and try new things out. As we've said before, this list is for the members, run by the members.

You've said this list isn't for ‘lurkers'. How do you deal with them?

Our membership has agreed that the following steps will be followed when dealing with ‘lurkers'. The list moderators are consulted throughout, and action will only be taken where there is a majority moderator vote.

We make it clear when joining that participation is expected, and ‘lurking' isn't encouraged. We will always give members the opportunity and encouragement to get involved in the list.

If a member hasn't posted anything in three months or longer, we will mail them privately to find out if there are any problems, whether they are getting what they want out of the list and whether they are still interested in being a member. We will always take a long term view of participation, because we know that people have real lives, commitments, writer's block etc. If the member responds positively to this letter, we will hold their place and encourage them to get involved in list activities as much as they can.

If a member doesn't respond to our first letter, we will keep writing. If after the 2nd or 3rd letter they still haven't responded or participated, we will assume they are no longer interested in being a member of the Bardic Circle, and we will request that they free up their place.

We will not unsub anyone for being a ‘lurker' without having gone through the steps outlined above.

And we will not unsub people who are having real life problems which are affecting their ability to participate on list - unless they ask us to.

Unsubbing ‘lurkers' is a last resort, and it's something we'd prefer not to have to do. But we are a small list, and it just isn't fair to our current members or those people wanting to join. We are a writers' group and we need all members to be involved as much as they can. As we've already said, even doing one good, in-depth edit a month would be a wonderful contribution.