I run a number of sites.  Some (like this one) only I write the content but on some others the content is also written by other people.  This doesn’t mean that they can write what they like nor does it mean that they must write only what I like.  I issue them with guidelines which I expect them to follow.  For articles on a family rated site this is vital.  The writers are free inside the guidelines and I almost never have to edit anything.  So for me, these work.

Bad Language
No swearing. Think The Times circa 1900. “Shit” is not OK but “Crap” is. I’ve never understood why, but that the way it is.   If Terry Wogan wouldn’t say in live on Radio 2 then you probably shouldn’t write it in your articles. Using the C-word will get you fired.

Sex Talk
No overt sexual language. Mild innuendo is OK. Think the BBC circa 1970 before 9 PM. Tits can be either blue or great but not wobbly. Bums live cardboard boxes. Using the F-word will get you fired.

Discrimination
No discriminatory language.   I personally, am not a great fan of political correctness so you have some leeway here, but be inclusive and avoid the pejorative. Using the N-word will get you fired.

Illegal Activities
No inciting people to riot or not pay their taxes. I don’t want PC Plod and chums at my door at 05h00 any more than you do, and most likely less because I’m not a morning person.

Copyrighted Material
Do not use material in your article that isn’t either public domain or where the copyright is owned by you and you are happy that this site can use it, for free, forever.

Anything that you post in an article you retain the copyright for, but you also grant a perpetual license for us to publish it in any way we like.  You should understand this fully if you intend to use this material in the future in any way yourself (i.e. in a book).

Word Count
The guide is 500-1000 words an article.    But it is a guide.   100 words isn’t enough and 2500 words is definitely too much.

Advertising
Do not use your articles to promote products or businesses whether or not they belong to you.   Yes, mention your book if it is relevant or a good source of some building materials or a good plumber but no selling.

Off-site Links
These are not banned, but please use them sparingly, linking directly to the page in a site that is relevant rather than to the top level of a site.   These will not be followed by Search Engines and will not increase the sites Page Rank or placement.

Bashing
Please no person bashing.   If someone is giving you a hard time, tell me and I’ll deal with it – do not bash them directly in your article.  If your roof fell in due to cowboy builders, tell us about it and maybe mention the name but no libellous comments please.

Anonymity
I highly recommend that you are careful.   If you want to put your real name in your profile or on your articles then please do, but I highly recommend that you never put your address, telephone, primary email or any other private information in your articles or profile.   It’s a wacky world and you don’t want it dancing on your doorstep.

Religion and Politics
These are an important part of some people’s lives.  They are also sure fire, flame war starters. Discuss with caution and sensitivity.  Do not belittle others or their views and do not attempt to indoctrinate anyone to your chosen path (especially me – cults and “the party” are so twentieth century).

Feedback and the Right to Reply
You will get a mixture of good and bad comments (and worse – no comments at all).  Welcome it all.  If it is inappropriate I will remove it.  Sometimes people will feel that they have a “right” to reply because your article is about them or something that they feel close to.  Don’t get into a war of words and don’t expect comments to be removed just because they don’t like what you’ve written.