Human Pen Book Club Guidelines
Human Pen Book Club Guidelines
Creating a Respectful Reading Community
Welcome to the Human Pen Book Club, where we celebrate authentic human-authored literature and meaningful discussion. To ensure everyone enjoys a positive experience, please follow these guidelines:
Our Reading Mission
Human-Authored Literature Focus
We read and discuss books written by human authors without AI assistance
Support authors who craft their stories through genuine human creativity
Celebrate the authentic human experience reflected in literature
Respect the sacred bond between human storytellers and readers
Online Discussion Standards
Be Respectful and Thoughtful
Treat all book club members with kindness and respect
Read and respond to different perspectives and interpretations with an open mind
Disagree respectfully when you have different views on a book
Remember that everyone brings unique experiences to their reading
Stay Focused on Literature
Share insights, questions, and personal connections to books you're reading
Discuss themes, characters, writing style, and storytelling techniques
Start conversations about human-authored books that moved or inspired you
Ask thoughtful questions that enhance everyone's literary appreciation
Constructive Online Participation
Contribute meaningfully to ongoing discussions on the community board
Read through existing conversations before starting new topics
Give thoughtful responses that add value to the discussion
Support fellow readers in their literary discoveries
What We Don't Allow
Prohibited Content
Sharing major spoilers without clear warnings
Personal attacks on authors, characters, or fellow readers
Harassment, bullying, or disrespectful behavior toward any member
Spam, excessive self-promotion, or off-topic posts
Political discussions or debates of any kind
Religious recruiting, preaching, or sermon-like content
Political and Religious Guidelines
No political discussions whatsoever - immediate removal from book club
Religious topics only when directly relevant to book themes or content
Keep religious discussions friendly, respectful, and book-focused
Avoid any content that feels like recruiting or preaching
Spoiler Policy
Protect the Reading Experience
Clearly mark any major spoilers with warnings in your post titles
Use spoiler tags or clear warnings when discussing plot reveals
Be considerate that members may be at different points in various books
Respect that others may not have read the book you're discussing yet
Book Discussions and Recommendations
Sharing Your Reading Experience
Start discussions about human-authored books you've enjoyed or found challenging
Share what you're currently reading and invite others to join the conversation
Ask for book recommendations that align with our human-authored mission
Be open to discovering new genres and authors through member suggestions
Book Recommendations
Suggest human-authored books that align with our mission
Include why you think others might enjoy or benefit from the book
Be open to reading suggestions from fellow members
Focus on books that offer rich discussion opportunities
Building Community
Foster Connection Through Literature
Welcome new book club members warmly to ongoing discussions
Share how books connect to your personal experiences when appropriate
Ask questions that help deepen everyone's appreciation of literature
Create an inclusive environment where all readers feel valued
Maintain Privacy
Respect the confidentiality of personal stories shared in discussions
Don't share private book club conversations outside the community
Be mindful of personal information shared in online discussions
Online Community Etiquette
Community Board Guidelines
Read through existing discussions before starting new topics
Use clear, descriptive titles for your discussion posts
Stay engaged with responses to your posts and others' discussions
Keep conversations focused on literature and reading experiences
Consequences
First violation: Friendly reminder of community guidelines
Continued violations: Temporary suspension from book club participation
Serious violations (politics, religion, harassment, bullying): Immediate removal from book club
Decisions are made with fairness and community well-being in mind
Remember Our Purpose
We get together in the Human Pen community to celebrate authentic human storytelling and share the joy of reading books crafted by real human imagination, experience, and creativity. Every discussion should reflect our appreciation for genuine literary artistry and our commitment to meaningful, respectful dialogue about the books that move us.
Questions about these guidelines?
Feel free to reach out to book club facilitators.