There Is No Safety on Writers Boards

I've probably said this before, but it bears repetition. Writers go to online boards and assume that a closed and paid membership guarantees confidentiality and privacy. I've seen writers complain about editors, troll for help with stories in ways that at times suggests they don't put much effort into their work, and admit to working practices that would scare off many desirable clients. Why? Because they think they are safe.

A recent episode on one board was a reminder that editors may be freelance and on the same venues as the writers. I've also seen multiple cases over the years of someone forwarding comments to a publication in an attempt to curry favor while indirectly attacking a competitor.

The only way to use writers' boards safely is to assume that anything you write will be available to anyone and everyone. Before you post, tell yourself that the editor is also logged in, or that some partisan is ready to relay every sentence (or chosen ones out of context) to clients or prospects. There's a lot you can get out of discussions with other writers, and there are also times that burning a bridge with a client is warranted. But most often you don't want the latter, so don't put yourself into a position where you do so unintentionally.