[ross hamilton hill]

I think it makes sense to have a section that is for members only, it could be for both free verse and formal. But I don't know how hard it is to do this from a programming perspective.

It is difficult to judge whether editors are rejecting poems because they have appeared on the Sphere since rejection is so often the case anyway.

I also think most artistic concerns tend to ossify with time and people look for something new.

As a relatively new member of the Sphere I can't judge how things have changed, I know many people are put off by the aggressive approach to criticism some here adopt, it gives the impression new members arn't welcome and I know from comments on facebook that many good poets read crits on the Sphere and decide they don't want to be involved in that sort of bullying.

Also I think after a while you start to get the same sort of crits to different poems since as poets we all tend to have a 'style'.

I still think the Sphere is streets ahead of any other forum I have posted on ( and that's about 12 forums) so I keep logging on to read and comment although my enthusiasm for posting work has waned.

afterthought
I have often thought the moderators should be more proactive in censoring ad hom, disguised ad hom and just plain nasty comments from appearing on the Sphere. This is not 'robust criticism' good criticism never has to descend to that. I think if the moderators were more vigilant the whole tone of the Sphere could be raised.