1. You must have published four stories or poems, or a combination thereof in The Vault BEFORE a hosting application is made. 

This requirement has been imposed for three key reasons.  First, it helps boost an author's readership if members and visitors have an opportunity to review their work before an author is formally hosted.  Second, it demonstrates a genuine desire on the part of the author to participate at the site and publish their work here.  Third, it allows members of the Readers' Circle to more easily access and review work by a potential Resident Author.

Please be aware that four stories, poems or a combination thereof is a MINIMUM requirement.  The Readers' Circle reserves the right to request that an individual author publish more work at The Authors Haunt before their application is approved in order to better judge the versatility of an author's writing and reader response thereto.  Please also be aware that participation in an anthology or writing project, though not an eligibility requirement, often improves an author's chances of being hosted as it demonstrates a certain versatility if they are able to produce a piece of work to a specific theme.

In order to be eligible for hosting, you must have published either four stories, four poems or a combination thereof (e.g. three stories and a poem or two poems and two stories) in The Vault.  These submissions must all have been approved by the Vault Manager (Kaiten) and you must have formerly been promoted to Guest Author status BEFORE you submit an application for hosting.

2. You must be a member of The Authors Haunt Community Forums BEFORE a hosting application is made.

We do not require that Resident Authors, or potential Resident Authors, make a certain number of posts in order to be considered for hosting or retain their hosting.  However, we do require that all Resident Authors and potential Resident Authors be members of the Community.  In order to be considered for hosting you MUST be a member of the Community Forums.  Participation on the forums is not required, though your chances of being hosted are improved if you do participate - participation allows members of the Readers' Circle to get to know you a little as a person (and ensure you're not one of the rare breed of author we like to call "manic divas" who throw hissy fits frequently and drive away both readers and members) and demonstrates a willingness on your part to become a real part of our Community.

3. You must not have been banned from The Authors Haunt Community Forums or suspended from the site for a period of more than sixty days.

If you have been banned from participating on the forums, not only do you fail to meet the second criteria (as even if you rejoin your membership is considered invalid), but you have also demonstrated behaviour incompatible with The Authors Haunt's philosophy.  We therefore ask that if you have been permanently banned from the Community Forums at any time in the past, you do not apply for hosting.  If you do apply and your application is successful, you will be removed from your position as a Resident Author if your past identity is ever discovered.

If you have been suspended from the site for a period of more than sixty days, this means you have also demonstrated behaviour incompatible with The Authors Haunt's philosophy and you will be ineligible for hosting at this site.  HOWEVER, an exception can be made by the Site Administrator, Rob Hawes.  Before you submit a hosting application, contact Rob to ask if he is willing to allow you to apply in spite of your previous suspension from the site.  If he accepts that they reason for that suspension should not prohibit you from being considered for hosting, or if he believes that sufficient time has passed since your suspension and you have demonstrated consistently good behaviour since your return to the site, a special dispensation may be granted.

Please ensure you obtain this dispensation BEFORE applying for hosting or your application will be summarily rejected.

Unconditional Yes: this means the individual member is happy with the quality of your work and your conduct as a member of the Community and has no problem with offering you hosting.

Conditional Yes: on occasion the Readers' Circle may impose a condition that an author must agree to work with an editor or refrain from past bad behaviour as a condition of hosting.  A breach of this condition will result in the revocation of hosted status.

Conditional No: a conditional no is given by members of the Readers' Circle where they feel an author is not yet ready for Resident Author status, but could be in the future if certain conditions are met.  These conditions might include working with an editor, or may be as simple as submitting more work.

Unconditional No: an unconditional no means that an individual member does not believe that your work meets the necessary quality or they feel your conduct on the Community has been poor, or there is some other reason why they do not feel you would make a suitable hosting candidate.