(This comment policy was adapted from my blog at NakedPR.com, and equally applies to all comments on All Freelance Writing.)

I’m a pretty tolerant person. I don’t have very many rules here regarding reader comments. However, the few below are non-negotiable. If you break them, chances are good your comment won’t be approved (if it’s your first comment and held in the moderation queue), will be edited, or will be deleted at my discretion.

Note: Every person’s first comment is moderated to help prevent spam.

Comment Policies

1. While I’m more tolerant of insults directed at me (as per rule #2), insulting other readers or other site contributors will not be tolerated.

2. If you choose to post something venomous, I insist that you take credit for those comments publicly with your full name (I think that’s only fair, as I don’t hide behind anonymity in my posts). Insulting or obscene comments posted with a generic handle, first name only, or obviously-fake email address will not be tolerated. If your comments are simply constructive and conversational without that bite, I really don’t care if you use a handle. Also, if you’re caught trying to further your own cause by commenting under multiple names / handles, all of your comments on that post will be removed (and yes, there are ways to tell). I reserve the right to name and shame any supposedly anonymous trolls at my discretion (you’re rarely as sneaky as you think you are, even when trying to mask your IP address).

3. Any language that I deem to be inappropriate in the context of my readership will be edited or removed.

4. If you say something ignorant because you were too lazy to read a post fully before commenting, I may point out the idiocy once. After that, don’t be surprised if future comments of that nature are just deleted to save the headache. I’m a blogger, not a babysitter–I don’t have the time to continually point out that you haven’t yet learned to read.

5. If you repeatedly violate these rules (or in cases of extreme behavior – such as hate speech), you may be banned from future commenting on AllFreelanceWriting.com.

Simple, right? Be nice to others. Take credit if you want to be an ass to me personally. And read before commenting. Don’t agree? Then don’t comment.

Oh yeah. And don’t spam. Spam really pisses me off.

This comment policy was last updated on October 20, 2009.