Community Code of Conduct

Our Purpose

Opuss exists to celebrate storytelling, not content generation. We're a community where writers craft unputdownable stories, build audiences freely, and monetize fairly—while readers discover work that moves them without risk or commitment.

This Code of Conduct protects the space we need to create, critique, and grow together. Our community only works when every member feels safe to share their work, give honest feedback, and support each other's creative journeys.

Our Values

Before we get to specific rules, here are the principles that guide our community:

1. Craft Over Metrics — We celebrate literary merit, not viral potential
2. Generosity Over Competition — Other writers' success expands the entire community
3. Honesty Over Politeness — Constructive criticism helps us grow (but cruelty doesn't)
4. Storytelling Over Everything — We're here for the work, not personal drama
5. Fair Economics — Writers deserve sustainable income; readers deserve great stories

What IS Okay (Encouraged Behavior)

✅ Constructive Critique

• Specific, actionable feedback on craft: pacing, character development, dialogue, structure
• Honest reactions when a story doesn't land for you, explained with reasoning
• Highlighting what worked well alongside what could improve
• Asking clarifying questions about the writer's intentions

✅ Supportive Community

• Celebrating other writers' wins (Pro upgrades, subscriber milestones, challenge victories)
• Sharing resources, opportunities, and craft advice
• Welcoming newcomers and answering questions
• Amplifying stories you love on social media

✅ Vulnerable Sharing

• Writing about difficult personal experiences
• Sharing early drafts and seeking feedback
• Admitting when you're struggling with your work
• Asking "stupid" questions about craft or the platform

✅ Professional Boundaries

• Discussing business aspects of writing (pricing strategies, subscriber growth, marketing)
• Asking for technical help with the platform
• Sharing financial results (earnings, conversion rates) to help others benchmark

✅ Spirited Debate on Craft

• Disagreeing about writing techniques, genre conventions, or publishing strategies
• Debating literary merit of specific works (when grounded in craft analysis)
• Questioning writing advice or conventional wisdom

What is NOT Okay (Prohibited Behavior)

❌ Personal Attacks

• Insulting another member's intelligence, talent, character, or identity
• Name-calling, mockery, or belittling
• Bringing up past conflicts or grudges
• Making it about the person rather than the work

❌ Discrimination & Harassment

• Racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or otherwise bigoted language
• Harassment based on identity, background, or protected characteristics
• Sexual harassment or unwelcome advances
• Doxxing, threats, or intimidation
• Deliberate misgendering or deadnaming

❌ Topics We Don't Discuss Here

Just like the Bogleheads forum prohibits politics and religion to keep conversations focused, we prohibit:

• Partisan politics (elections, political parties, policy debates)
• Religion (theological debates, proselytizing, religious identity conflicts)
• Culture war hot takes (we're here to write stories, not fight online battles)

Why? These topics derail conversations from our purpose (storytelling) and create divisions that destroy creative communities.

Exception: If politics/religion is integral to the story itself (e.g., discussing how to write a believable political character or religious subplot), it's fine—as long as discussion stays focused on craft, not your real-world views.

❌ Commercial Spam

• Promoting unrelated products, services, or platforms
• Affiliate link spam
• MLM recruitment
• Self-promotion outside designated channels

❌ Plagiarism & IP Theft

• Copying another writer's work without attribution
• Submitting AI-generated stories to challenges (or claiming them as your own)
• Stealing story ideas shared in community discussions
• Violating others' copyright

❌ Gaming the System

• Creating fake accounts to vote for your own challenge submissions
• Coordinating vote brigades
• Artificially inflating subscriber counts
• Manipulating metrics or engagement

❌ Public Callouts

• Publicly shaming other members for violations
• Screenshot-dunking on social media
• Rallying others against a specific member

Instead: Report violations privately (see below). We handle enforcement—you focus on creating.

❌ Unsolicited Harsh Critique

• Delivering brutal feedback when someone didn't ask for it
• Critique-bombing new writers who are sharing for the first time
• Using "I'm just being honest" as an excuse for cruelty

The Rule: Match the energy. If someone shares their first-ever story saying "I'm nervous but here goes," respond with encouragement. Save the tough critique for when they explicitly ask for it.

Special Context: Challenge Submissions

Weekly challenges involve judging and competition, which requires additional guidelines:

✅ Okay During Challenges:

• Community voting based on craft merit
• Discussing why certain stories resonated with you
• Constructive feedback on challenge entries (after judging concludes)
• Celebrating winners sincerely

❌ Not Okay During Challenges:

• Attacking writers whose entries you dislike
• Accusing judges of bias without evidence
• Vote manipulation or coordination
• Lobbying for votes in DMs
• Poor sportsmanship (sore losing or ungracious winning)

How to Report Violations

If you see behavior that violates this Code of Conduct:

Don't:

• Publicly call out the violator
• Retaliate or escalate
• Screenshot and share on social media
• Ignore it and hope someone else reports

Do:

Email: conduct@opuss.com

Include:

1. Link to the violation (comment, post, message)
2. Screenshot (if possible)
3. Brief description of what was violated
4. Any relevant context

How We Investigate & Enforce

Our Process:

1. Review: Conduct team reviews report and gathers context
2. Severity Assessment: Determine if violation is minor, moderate, or severe
3. Decision: Choose appropriate consequence
4. Communication: Notify both reporter and violator of decision
5. Appeal: Violator may appeal within 7 days

Consequences (Progressive Enforcement):

Tier 1: Warning (Minor Violations)

• First-time minor infractions (e.g., derailing thread, borderline comment)
• Private message explaining violation
• No public record
• No impact on account

Tier 2: Temporary Suspension (Moderate Violations)

• Repeated minor violations or single moderate violation
• 7-day suspension from community features (can still publish, but no comments/challenges)
• Private notification with specific violations cited
• Final warning issued

Tier 3: Permanent Ban (Severe Violations)

• Discrimination, harassment, threats, doxxing
• Plagiarism or IP theft
• Repeated violations after suspension
• Account permanently deleted
• Access to platform revoked
• Forfeiture of any Pro subscription (no refund)

Tier 4: Immediate Ban (Zero Tolerance)

• Illegal activity (threats of violence, child exploitation)
• Severe harassment or hate speech
• No warning, immediate permanent removal
• Legal authorities contacted if necessary

Appeals Process:

If you believe a decision was wrong:

1. Email appeals@opuss.com within 7 days
2. Provide new evidence or context not previously considered
3. Appeals reviewed by different team member
4. Final decision within 14 days

Note: Decisions are final after appeal. Repeated appeals won't be considered.

For Moderators & Leaders

If you're a community moderator, challenge judge, or community leader:

You're Held to Higher Standards:

• Model behavior you want to see
• No favoritism or bias in enforcement
• Recuse yourself from situations involving conflicts of interest
• Maintain confidentiality of reports
• Don't abuse your position

You Have Our Trust:

• Make judgment calls in gray areas
• Warn members before escalating (when safe to do so)
• Request backup from conduct team when uncertain
• Surface patterns you notice

Context-Specific Guidelines

In Challenge Discussions:

• Wait until judging concludes before public critique
• Focus feedback on craft, not personal taste
• Celebrate multiple winners (top 10), not just first place

In Feedback Threads:

• Ask permission before offering critique: "Would you like feedback?"
• Lead with what worked before suggesting improvements
• Be specific: "This section" not "Your writing"
• Don't pile on if others already made the same point

In DMs/Private Messages:

• Same rules apply (harassment in DMs = ban)
• Don't pressure members for votes, promotion, or collaboration
• Report harassment immediately

On Social Media:

• Represent Opuss values even outside the platform
• Don't publicly bash other members
• Correct misinformation about platform/members gracefully

Living Document

This Code of Conduct evolves with our community:

• Monthly Review: Conduct team reviews incidents and patterns
• Quarterly Updates: Adjust guidelines based on learnings
• Community Input: Major changes announced 30 days in advance
• Version History: All changes documented with rationale

Propose Changes: Email conduct@opuss.com with suggestions. We listen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Word

Communities thrive or collapse based on culture. This Code of Conduct protects the space we need to do our best work.

If you see someone struggle, help them.
If you see someone succeed, celebrate them.
If you see someone violate our values, report it.

Contact Information

Questions: conduct@opuss.com

Report Violations: conduct@opuss.com

Appeal Decisions: appeals@opuss.com