About the PK Poetry List

The PK Poetry List is an email community open to poets and readers of poetry from around the world. You can share your poems, comment on the work of others or simply read the discussions. Above all, it is a place to learn from one another in a caring and supportive way.

Established and new poets, people who enjoy reading poetry and those beginning to write are all welcome. We ask members to respect views that differ from their own and to approach criticism constructively.

Membership and shared expectations

1. Accept criticism in the spirit in which it is offered.
2. Offer suggestions on other members' poetry from time to time.
3. Post only poems that are your own work, or work you have permission to post on another person's behalf.
4. Poems posted to the List are private to the List and remain the copyright of their authors. Do not share them outside the List.

Remember that the poet whose work you are discussing will read your comments. Criticism is welcome, but it should always be constructive.

Poems dealing with adult themes may occasionally be posted, so membership is restricted to adults.

Material considered offensive is not accepted. The decision of the List editor in all matters is final.

PK List protocols

1. No attachments. If an image is essential, put it on a website and share the link.
2. Use plain-text email where possible. Avoid rich text, coloured backgrounds and decorative images. HTML may be necessary for specialist information or a poem's layout; replies should be in plain text.
3. Trim quoted messages. Remove unnecessary portions of earlier emails from your replies to avoid repeatedly circulating the same text.
4. Where practical, respond to several messages in one post.
5. Do not add a new poem for critique at the end of someone else's message.
6. Use a new, descriptive subject line for each new poem. Do not leave the subject blank.
7. Keep personal conversations off-list, by emailing the person directly.
8. Do not post personal comments likely to cause offence.
9. Do not bring disputes from other mailing lists into this one, or discuss absent people in a way likely to cause offence.
10. Do not forward or share PK List posts with anyone who is not a member.
11. Do not include the List address in mailshots or copy messages to people outside the List.