Australian Writers’ Forum
The Australian Writers’ Forum allows writers and associated people to communicate with one another over the internet, using a bulletin board (aka forum, threaded discussion board). This is especially useful for people, such as me, who aren’t able to attend writers’ group meetings. (Writers’ group meetings are often organised through a writers’ centre.) I hope that this forum will allow Australian writers to get help and support from other Australian writers, regardless of location.
Best of all, it’s free! —at least until my time, bandwidth, or web site capacity runs out… 
Since the forum only started in February 2010, it might be a bit on the quiet side for a while. Please be patient!
Rules, etc.
- The forum is for fiction and non-fiction writers (professional, amateur or interested) and people with associated interests (agents, publishers, illustrators, etc). At this stage, it’s an honour system, but if things get out of control, access to the forum may be restricted to members of an Australian writers’ centre, Australian Society of Authors, Australian Literary Agents’ Association, and/or similar organisations.
- You need to be Australian and/or currently living in Australia.
- You must not post any abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, sexually-orientated or any other material that may violate any laws (including those of your country, Australia or International Law). Doing so may lead to you being immediately and permanently banned, with notification of your Internet Service Provider if deemed required by us.
- You must not ask others to post anything potentially slanderous. If you need that kind of information, ask people to contact you privately.
- You may not advertise—although you can ask questions related to your writing (that’s the whole idea!) or discuss/offer your professional services if someone asks. If you wish to advertise, you should consider the Australian Writer’s Marketplace Online and/or Australian writers’ centres.
- Please don’t stray too far from the topic (ie, writing) for too long.
- Forum administrators may remove, edit, move or close any topic at any time, should they see fit.
- Forum administrators may deny any member access to this site at any time, should they see fit.
- Forum administrators will not be held responsible for things that other people post on this forum.
- There are a few other legal and technical conditions associated with the forum software. These are listed on the forum registration page.
How to Join
- Click to open the forum’s registration page.
- Click ‘I agree to the terms’ if you do.
- Fill in the required information and click ‘Submit’.
- The Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer will be checked to verify that you’re in Australia. This may take a day or so—longer if no forum administrators are around.
- You’ll receive an email when your application has been approved.
Support
If you can log in to the forum, you can post a question or suggestion in the ‘Forum Help’ area, or send me a private message. Alternatively, you can contact me here.
