Here are a few concise guidelines for members. Please read them - they will make your experience here much more enjoyable.
What is this site? We can be thought of as a poetry workshop. We are here to share poetry, ideas, and improve as writers. We also like to meet new people and make friendships.
Consider your audience. We're not a place to "dump" every piece of work you've ever written. Please post in moderation. Post a range of your work. But mostly, post the work you'd like to improve. Update: in late March 2008, the AEC voted to impose a publication limit of one poem per day. You can read about the motivation behind this decision on the forum.
Grow. Neopoet is a place for growing poets. Some new members seem almost insulted when fellow poets suggest there's room to improve. An isolated critique or two might be dead wrong, of course. But when you hear a chorus, listen.
Be respectful. You aren't going to love every poem on this site. That seems obvious. But there's a writer behind every work - so be respectful. If a poem isn't your favorite, feel free to share constructive criticism. But keep in mind the scope of criticism requested by a poet. We allow poets to communicate their preferences - everything from, "this is a sensitive subject for me" to "I want the raw truth". But no matter what's asked in terms of critique - be diplomatic. Keep a cool head. This is not a place for the mudslinging found on other internet forums.
Contribute. Be an active member. Read. Comment. But go beyond that - if you are an experienced poet, offer to mentor rising talent. Consider joining the Advocate program. If you have any ideas to improve the site, let us know - tell the member coordinator or the technology team.
Help build our culture. The one thing that sets Neopoet apart is our culture. It's not just the words on our site - it's the people here. If you see a new member that might need help, help out. Be warm, friendly, diplomatic.
This site - is - and always will be - in motion. Everything can grow and change and improve. Even this page you are reading now. If you'd like to make a suggestion, discuss it in the forum, with other members, and contact the AEC or the Trustees and we'll help you make it happen.
