Book Club Rules
I’d like for this book club to be a place for open and honest discussion. That said, I am going to set a few ground rules to ensure this remains a safe and comfortable space to participate.
Rule #1: Keep It Civil
This is a book club, so we should be able to discuss stories regardless of how divisive their subject matter may be. However, we live in a time where people really struggle to be kind to one another if they find themselves on opposing sides of a topic.
Disagreements are natural and to be expected in book clubs, but not if they result in animosity.
In order to keep things civil, I’ll ask that you avoid bringing up anything that you know will ruffle feathers. Off the top of my head, that includes Trump, COVID, and abortion.
If any discussion becomes inflammatory, I will shut it down immediately. And if any member becomes belligerent or abusive, I will ask the involved members to leave the meeting. If this happens more than once, their book club membership will be revoked.
Rule #2: Keep Your RSVP Updated
I understand that life gets in the way. Work runs late. Your kid gets sick. You get a flat tire. Whatever. It happens to all of us. But to the best of your ability, please please please update your meetup RSVP if you cannot make it.
As this club grows, there may be a wait-list for some of the meetings. To ensure that people who can make it get a spot, we need those RSVPs to be accurate. It also helps me so I know if we need to wait on anyone before beginning.
If you fail to update your RSVP to no-show more than twice, you will be removed from the book club.
Rule #3: No AI
My spaces are not AI-friendly. If you want to join this book club, then you must read the stories and come up with your own thoughts and conclusions about it.
If you need a machine to tell you what a story is about or how to feel about it, then go have that discussion with your AI.
Join the Book Club
Come join me and the rest of the members every month as we discuss short stories new and old!