Writer Sanctum: A Sanctuary Beyond Social Media
Following the sale of KBoards in 2015, author Timothy Ellis launched Writer Sanctum, a standalone website with structured forums, peer feedback rooms, and a central library—all aimed at fostering an intentional, ad-free space where craft, business, and support intersect. The vision: to build a sustainable, transparent indie-author community not beholden to social algorithms.
Founding Vision and Early Days
From the Gold Coast of Australia Timothy produced the original forum at writersanctum.com, filling it with writing‑focused discussion boards. He positioned himself as moderator and facilitator, welcoming early adopters with personal notes, and guides on how to get the most out of the forum. The first members arrived via KBoards threads, writing podcasts, personal referrals, and word-of-mouth, drawn by the promise of focused critique and zero ads.
Membership Growth and Structure
By 2020, membership surpassed 1,000 and has hovered there ever since. Forums are both private and public and divided/organized into sections for craft feedback, editorial resources, publishing strategy, audiobook discussions, newsletter building, audiobook narration, genre niches, and international market analysis. Timothy recruited volunteer moderators drawn from active users in fantasy, romance, and literary fiction. The "Quill and Feather" forum (Public) has 10,000+ posts while the "Secret Writer's Business" forum (Private) has just under 20,000.
Code of Conduct and Community Standards
The platform enforces a clear etiquette: constructive critique, explicit consent before feedback, respectful tone, no spam or affiliate marketing. Plagiarism is strictly forbidden, and plagiarism checks are available through built-in tools. Safety mechanisms—private threads, flagging systems—ensure swift moderation and respectful recovery from missteps.
Core Topics and Hot Threads
Craft discussions flourish: authors share plot arcs, prompt critique, develop world-building, and play with POV experimentation. Editorial topics range from grammar mechanics to beta-reader coordination and query-letter therapy. Strategic issues include pricing mechanics across formats, aggregator choice, subscriber-delivered mailers, audiobook pipeline creation via ACX or Findaway, and translation strategies.
Another staple is writing mindset: members share monthly accountability check-ins, challenges like 30-day drafts, launch fear sessions, and burnout prevention tactics. Special threads host peer case studies—authors share their book launch stories with data screenshots and results. Quarterly live events bring expert guests in editing, marketing, AI ethics, and reader engagement.
Current Membership: Numbers & Participation
- Total Members:
- 1044
- Total Posts:
- 110851
- Total Topics:
- 5535
- Total Categories:
- 10
- Total page views:
- 40092204
Average Posts per Day:
46
Featured Topics of 2025
High-traffic discussions include:
Audiobook Production—Materials on narrator auditions, mini voice pitches, and royalty share agreements draw heavy interest.
Newsletter Monetization—Authors weighing reader magnets, tiered content, Patreon sync, and funnel ad experiments often populate these boards.
AI-Assisted Drafting—Members share AI prompt templates, transparency wording for readers, outputs review logs, and narrative ethics policies.
Series Planning—Threads on series bible planning, naming conventions, interlocking arcs, and omnibus packaging across print and audio formats.
Direct-to-Reader Sales—Conversations about BookFunnel, Payhip, website storefronts, and VAT-compliance strategies.
Strengths and Room for Growth
Writer Sanctum’s strengths lie in its thoughtful structure, low-noise experience, and tech features rare among forums. Its easy to find the subject matter you are looking for and then drill down through the comments to gain more knowledge. Peer feedback is robust, particularly for craft and marketing needs.
Fair to Positive Review
Writer Sanctum offers a good blend of tools, community, and real-world examples of what works and what doesn't. Unlike sprawling social media platforms, it prioritizes depth over reach. The volunteer moderators and structured pathways elevate both new and veteran authors. Unlike groups that skimp on craft or business detail, the platform balances them well.
Writers Sanctum best suits authors ready for both good advice and peer feedback, yet not those seeking rapid publicity or viral fame. Prospective members looking for structured, engaged collaboration and long-term mindset development will find genuine value. Timothy’s transparency adds trust and authenticity rarely seen.
Website Link
https://writersanctum.com