OUR HISTORY
Established in 2008, the Rogue Writers Network is headquartered in the United States in Southern Oregon’s scenic Rogue Valley.
Our group began small and served to help local writers win the annual NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) writing challenge. In 2018, Jenai May became the latest (and possibly last) head organizer for NaNoWriMo’s Rogue Valley region.
In November of 2023, Jenai approached her local members to share concerns surrounding controversies emerging from within the NaNoWriMo organization. The group immediately began discussing options for its future. The membership voted on December 1st, and unanimously agreed to separate from NaNoWriMo. On December 4, NaNoWriMo disabled posting in its online forums, and thus cut off community access to thousands of its members. At that point, our local group formally invited displaced writers to join us on Discord.
For us, this wasn’t a radical decision because, back in 2014, our local leaders established a popular tradition; they began hosting an all-region write-in on a grounded Boeing KC-97 Fuel Tanker aircraft that was built in 1952. Over the years, this unique event drew several members to our group from outside the local region. Some traveled from more than two states away to join in the fun! Therefore, when the Rogue Writers separated from NaNoWriMo, Jenai felt it was natural to continue welcoming non-local members.
On December 7, 2023, Jenai May officially founded the Rogue Writers Network.
Thus, our local group grew and transformed into an online international writing community. Today, the Rogue Writers Network includes over 700 members from at least 21 countries.
WHO ARE WE AND WHAT DO WE DO?
- We value and encourage all writing. Yes, this includes D&D campaigns, fanfic, and graphic novels.
- October is Rogue’s Amazing Word Rush (RAWR), a flexible “Novel/Project in a Month” annual writing challenge.
- Year-round, we run monthly writing challenges, fun events, and writing workshops.
- We host members-only writing contests and offer contestants optional constructive feedback. Our contests serve as valuable tools to further develop the writing skills of both contestants and judges.
- We hang out in our private Discord server, though you may also find us elsewhere, online and in-person.
- We host a free public directory for members who wish to showcase their writing, services, and passions.
- We are prone to silliness and enjoy playing writing games, video games, and drinking tea together.
- Our mascot is an emu named Rogue Widgee.
(Psst… You’ll need to know this to beat the website’s user registration spam challenge.)
CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED
- We fiercely protect our vulnerable members. Bigots and bullies are not welcome here. View our Mission & Values here: https://roguewriters.net/mission-and-values/
- We vet new members and shield our member list against being seen by those who we are reviewing.
- We are passionate about maintaining transparency regarding our policies and procedures, and are receptive to new ideas and criticism. We see the ongoing development and evolution of the Rogue Writers as a group project. Review our community rules here: https://roguewriters.net/rogues-rules/
- Most of our members hold liberal views, which is reflected in some of our discussion topics. And, yes, we do maintain spaces where members are welcome to discuss politics and religion.
- We don’t restrict our language (though we do isolate “adult content” within a private channel).
HOW DO YOU JOIN THE ROGUE WRITERS?
- Join our Discord server (the link is in the menu at the top of this website).
- Answer the questions listed in our “Waiting Room.”
- Our moderating team will review your answers. If your answers are very brief, we might ask follow-up questions.
- Once the team agrees, they will magically transform you into a Rogue Writer!