Ottopen is a thriving community where writers, authors, screenwriters, and literary enthusiasts come together to share their passion for storytelling. We believe that creativity flourishes in an environment of mutual respect, constructive feedback, and inclusive collaboration.
Our Core Values
• Respect: Honor diverse voices and perspectives
• Creativity: Celebrate original thought and artistic expression
• Growth: Support each other's creative development
• Authenticity: Be genuine in your interactions and work
• Inclusivity: Welcome writers from all backgrounds
2. What We Encourage
We love to see our community members:
✨ Creative Sharing
• Share original stories, poems, scripts, and excerpts
• Post work-in-progress updates and writing milestones
• Showcase your published works and achievements
• Share writing prompts and creative exercises
🤝 Supportive Engagement
• Give constructive, specific feedback on others' work
• Ask thoughtful questions about craft and technique
• Celebrate others' successes and milestones
• Offer encouragement during creative challenges
📚 Knowledge Sharing
• Share writing tips, techniques, and resources
• Discuss literary works and their impact
• Provide industry insights and publishing guidance
• Mentor new writers and share your experience
🌍 Community Building
• Participate in community challenges and events
• Connect with writers in your genre or region
• Form writing groups and collaboration partnerships
• Welcome new members and help them get started
3. What's Not Allowed
To maintain a safe and productive environment, the following behaviors are prohibited:
Harassment & Hate Speech
• Personal attacks, bullying, or intimidation
• Discriminatory language based on race, gender, religion, sexuality, or other characteristics
• Threats or violent language directed at individuals or groups
• Doxxing or sharing personal information without consent
Inappropriate Content
• Explicit sexual content or graphic violence (without appropriate warnings)
• Content that promotes illegal activities
• Spam, excessive self-promotion, or commercial solicitation
• Off-topic content unrelated to writing or literature
📝 Intellectual Property Violations
• Plagiarism or posting others' work without permission
• Copyright infringement or unauthorized reproductions
• Impersonation of other authors or public figures
• False claims about your work or credentials
⚙️ Platform Abuse
• Creating multiple accounts to circumvent restrictions
• Attempting to hack, exploit, or disrupt the platform
• Manipulating engagement metrics or gaming the system
• Sharing account credentials or accessing others' accounts
4. Content Guidelines
Writing & Creative Content
All content must be your original work or properly attributed
Mature content should include appropriate content warnings
Excerpts and samples are encouraged; avoid posting complete works
Respect copyright when quoting or referencing other works
Use trigger warnings for sensitive topics (violence, trauma, etc.)
Feedback & Critique
Focus on the work, not the writer personally
Be specific and constructive in your feedback
Balance criticism with positive observations
Respect when someone asks for specific types of feedback
Don't provide unsolicited critique unless welcomed
Profile & Bio Standards
Use your real name or established pen name
Provide accurate information about your writing background
Professional profile photos are encouraged
Avoid using profile for commercial advertising
Include relevant writing credentials and achievements
5. Reporting & Moderation
If you encounter content or behavior that violates these guidelines:
How to Report
1. Use the "Report" button on the specific content or profile
2. Select the appropriate violation category
3. Provide additional context if needed
4. Our moderation team will review within 24 hours
Enforcement Actions
First Warning
Educational notice with guidance
Minor violations
Content Removal
Violating content removed
Moderate violations
Temporary Suspension
1-30 day account suspension
Serious violations
Permanent Ban
Account permanently deactivated
Severe/repeated violations
6. Appeals Process
If you believe a moderation action was taken in error:
Email appeals@ottopen.com within 30 days of the action
Include your username and details about the disputed action
Provide any relevant context or evidence
Our appeals team will review and respond within 7 business days
Appeals decisions are final
7. Special Considerations
Professional Authors & Publishers
You may share information about your published works
Book promotions should be community-focused, not pure advertising
Engage authentically with the community beyond self-promotion
Verify your identity through our author verification program
Writing Contests & Challenges
External contests may be shared if they benefit the community
Avoid contests with excessive entry fees or suspicious terms
Community-run challenges are encouraged and supported
Prize contests must be transparent about rules and selection
Beta Readers & Critique Partners
Connecting for beta reading is encouraged
Establish clear expectations and timelines
Respect confidentiality agreements
Provide credit when appropriate
8. Updates to Guidelines
These Community Guidelines may be updated periodically to reflect:
Community feedback and evolving needs
New platform features and capabilities
Legal requirements and industry standards
Lessons learned from moderation experiences
We'll notify the community of significant changes through platform announcements and email updates. Continued use of the platform indicates acceptance of updated guidelines.
9. Questions & Contact
Questions about these guidelines or need clarification?