Hi! Just wanted to give you all an update on the board situation. For those of you who aren’t aware, my official BDB message board crashed a couple of weeks ago. As I’ve said before, I was heartbroken of course, but I’ve decided to look at this as an opportunity. I’ve become aware of some cultural changes that need to be made and after some thought, I’m changing the moderation and some of the rules.
My first focus as an author is my writing. With my publication schedule, I have very strict and tight deadlines and I go into hiding a lot of the time just so I can get my work done. This is great for my books- not so great as it takes me out of touch with the world at large. It’s very important to me that my message boards and Yahoo Group offer places where people can relax, talk about the Brothers, talk about other books, talk about writing, talk about personal stuff… I don’t want people to feel censured or as if they only can post if they like every single word in every single book and/or grocery list I’ve ever written.
So we’re going to start fresh with the new board. New look. New culture. I will insist that mutual respect is a paramount virtue among all posters- but that’s not the same as everyone having to agree with me or everyone else. We’re going to take a team approach with the moderation and use readers to keep an eye on things.
I’m very sorry if folks felt they were treated unfairly and we’re going to do our best to create a more welcoming place in the future. I hope that those who were alienated will return and give us another shot. The board’s membership is still going to be restricted to 18 years or older only and PG-13 language will be required- and there will be rules to ensure no flaming and no violations of copyright, etc. It’s my expectation, however, that while I will not be one of the moderators, the new team will work to create an inviting atmosphere to all comers- even those with dissenting voices.
Thank you again for your support and understanding- and I hope the new board will be up and rolling by January 1st.
MUUAH!
J.R.
(reposted with permission… I will make sure comments are forwarded. NOT certain if she will be able to check in and answer here.)
I got this bulletin earlier today as I’m in JRW’s yahoo group and was a fairly active member of her message boards. JR Ward has a terrific fan base and I think she’s amazing for caring so much about providing us with a place to stay connected with each other… and not just for the purpose of discussing her books. I’m sure the new format will be fantastic… I’m looking forward to it! 🙂
Hopefully that means she got rid of the Nazi moderators, they were really nasty.
Good luck and God speed. I never visited the message boards, but I heard tales. Garsh can’t wait for the next book, though.
Glad to hear the changes she has planned. Out of maybe a dozen posts I made over there, IIRC TWO were removed with no reason given. One was a pic of the pile of LU available for sale at Lora Leigh’s RAW. I guess, since it was before street date, the mods didn’t want to hurt the feelings of those who didn’t have it yet. Good Grief! As for the other deletion, two of us posted that, if you like Sunny’s Monere series, you should try LKH’s Merry Gentry series and Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels trilogy. Again, no reason given for the deletions of both those posts either. I never bothered to go back.
So, respect the other posters and keep it PG-13. Now THOSE rules make sense.
Hmmm…I didn’t realize. Can’t say I think it’s a bad idea. Although I’m more of an MB lurker than anything else, and will probably continue to be, I had stopped stopping by b/c I was uncomfortable with the atmosphere. It’s a wonderful thing for an author to have enthusiastic fans, but they are part of an author’s PR. The MB should help excite new readers, not scare them off. Looking forward to seeing the new place 🙂
PS. Bev- I love Merry Gentry and the Black Jewels, but I can’t bring myself to try then Sunny series.
Sorry to hear about the crash. I never had any problem posting on the board, but did think some of the rules were a bit over the top.
Good luck with the re-launch…I will definately be back around!
Devon said:
That’s okay, Devon. I’ve made it my mission in life to “take one for the team”– I read her so you and others don’t have to. ;-p
Hi there- I’m really grateful that you all took the time to respond. I have to say readers have been very kind about all this- and patient too. Am happy to report that construction on the new board officially began tonight!
So thank you for sticking with me and the Brothers. It means the world to me as a writer and as a person.
J.R.
I didn’t get around to the message boards too often but it was because I was trying to keep away from spoilers. I’ll be more than willing to look up the new message boards when they come up!
CIndyS
I was am so addicted to the Ward boards and it was an incredible and fun idea.
I can’t wait for the new and improved boards and hours upon hours of writing messages.
As if I am not addicted enough! *G*
Hah, I was lurking like an addict trying to get a fix, hoping there would be even the tiniest hint of a spoiler! Although, I really backed off before LU, with one big slip-up, and I think it was nice that way. I’m working on my spoiler hoe ways.
Bev-I appreciate your valiant sacrifice.
Devon,
Spoilers are so evil, but like you I am the ultimate spoiler Ho. I always go to the last chapter of every book I read and lurk the blogs for any inside info I can get.
I also do the same for movies. *Smacks hand- bad Kate!*