Review Guidelines

As a reviewer, you will play a critical role on the site. Your ratings and feedback are used by writers to improve their work. Writers joined the site to receive honest, constructive feedback. Below is some advice on writing your first review:

Advice on Rating and Writing Reviews:

Read the story carefully. Print it out if that's easier.
Read reviews provided by the top ranked reviewers on the site. Even when the best reviewers give a 1 or a 2, they provide the writer with encouragement and feedback to help them improve their work.
Provide constructive feedback and criticism. Do not just gush about how good the work is. No writer is so good that there couldn't be improvements. Do not simply disparage the work. Mean and unhelpful remarks are not tolerated.
Use the golden rule: only write about other's work the way you would like them to write about your work.
Writers find it very helpful when you justify the rating you have given in your comments. Giving a 1 or a 2 without some detailed reasoning is generally not well received.
For novels, many writers do not appreciate a reviewer jumping in mid-way through the book and and providing feedback without the benefit of having read the previous chapters. If you do so, do so cautiously and tactfully, realizing it may not be well-received by all.

Rules for Review Members

There are some very simple rules for Review Members. They are meant to keep the site fair to everyone.

Rule 1: Be nice and provide valuable feedback.

Mean, defamatory, unconstructive feedback will not be tolerated. Anyone found to be engaging in such activity will be barred from the community.

Rule 2: Do not provide multiple reviews to the same posted work.

The site only allows Review Members to post one review per each posted work. If the work is reposted, the Reviewer may provide an additional review.

Rule 3: Review the work, not the writer.

The work posted on the site is open to feedback but the writer isn't. Never insult a writer or question their motivations or talents. Never tell a writer to stop writing.

Other Guidance

Several writers have posted guidelines on the type of reviews they are looking for in the community forum. It is highly recommended that reviewers peruse these postings.

Feedback on Your Review

Some time after you provide your review, the Writing Member will have an opportunity to rate your review. This rating will be a component in your overall Review Member rating.

Good luck!