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Rose DesRochers is the founder of Today's Woman, a site catering to writers — both men and women — of all levels and genres, including poetry. The site features articles, stories and interviews and also publishes press releases. It also has a forum for writers to share ideas and promote their work. In this interview, DesRochers talks about what makes her site special.
Why don't you begin by telling us a little about yourself? Are you also a writer?
Yes I am. I have been writing poetry for 20 + years. I am also a freelance writer. I have written several articles and essays.
How did Todays-Woman.net get started?
In the beginning Today's Woman was going to be a woman's portal. I changed my mind and decided it would be a friendship community for both men and women. Some of the first members joined and started submitting their writing. It took on a writing theme of its own, so we began to gear the site more towards writers. Today it is a full-fledge writing community.
Who is your audience?
Our audience is writers of all genes, but a high percentage are poets.
What does your site offer readers and writers?
Today's Woman Writing Community has a useful selection of services including author interviews, regular columns, interactive forums, and a place for writers to share their work for critique by their peers. We have monthly writing contest that spark member’s creativity and we have a variety of writing lessons submitted by experience writers to help writers. We also offer a full directory of links to literacy resources, famous poets, online book store, and an area in our forums of calls for submission and writing contests. We also offer our visitors and members a writers warning section that keeps them up to date about various poetry contests and publishers to avoid.
How do you become a member?
All you need to do is register. Potential writers must be 18 to join. You have a choice between a free account or a premium account.
Are your members mostly women?
Funny you would ask that. The name gives the impression that the site is only for women, but we have an equal number of male members. Sometimes we have more male members posting that women. Our webmaster is male, our co-admin is male and even our moderator is male. What would you know this month's writer of the month is also male. Maybe we should change the name to Today's Man?
What types of promotional opportunities do you offer in your site?
Today's Woman Writing Community offers writers the chance to be recognized as writer of the month. In addition any writer can submit a link to their website to our link directory. For a small fee authors can advertise their book on our website.
What types of articles and stories do you accept for publication?
We are interested in seeing well-written articles on writing, self-help, humor, motivation, true stories and other articles that might be of interest to our loyal readers. Members who join can submit any story, except erotica, to our story board.
What is the hardest task in running such a site? The most rewarding aspect?
Administrating Today’s Woman has been a wonderful experience for me. Not only have I made some wonderful friends, but I have grown in my own writing.
Is there anything else you'd like to tell our readers?
Todays-Woman.net has been a team effort. The site not only belongs to me, but the members. I’m very lucky to have a supportive family and the kind of members, friends, and staff who are willing to devote so much time and energy to helping all writers fulfill their goals.
