This is something that I have long thought to be a weakness in the WOL offer.

On the one hand it is only a place to post poems, find gigs, learn news etc but we could be doing a lot more.

Remember though that all the WOL team are volunteers and as such have limited time and resources to offer.

For my part there are some young poets that I always comment on and try, via feedback, to develop further.

A good way to do this is via the personal messaging system so that such mentoring isn't shared with all and sundry

Personally I would approve a one-to-one mentoring scheme but of course it would all boil down to horses for courses.

Perhaps the young poets could ask for a mentor??

I'm glad you're enjoying the poetry on here at the moment, Colin, and I agree with you that there's some really good quality work among the submissions, which gives us all an opportunity to learn and expand our poetic horizons.

Graham makes a good point about mentoring, and another – equally good one – about the fact we're all volunteers. An idea for the future, maybe.... In the meantime, giving feedback and encouraging young writers by commenting on blogs is well worth doing. ?

I have twice tried to use this space to comment, and have been pitched out of the site with notice that I am not 'logged in'. Is there something wrong with the site or my connection? Have you put a time limit on comments?

One more time - I'm a sucker for punishment.

I think new WOLers are often just surfing the Net for sites compatible to their individual needs which must vary greatly. I wonder how many care at all about mentoring. It seems that many contributors are just seeking allies to agree with their particular ways of thinking. If they don't evoke response which corroborates their viewpoint, then they're gone. So- let them go.

Could WOL clearly ask whether mentoring is desired by contributors? It's really sticking your neck out to presume to comment in a 'teachy' kind of way.

I must admit I most admire work that shows some poetical skills, whatever the content. And content is a free circus, barring deliberate attacks on other people in whatever category.

And I like the 'open forum' of feedback with comments bared for all to see. It's more like discussion than tutoring. I learn a lot.

CBT...Comments are comments, critique etc. The problem is that if a young poet receives some negative criticism in the public comments domain of WOL it may put them off altogether. Sometimes a more personal form of feedback can be more sensitive to their development etc. As I said horses for courses.

there are problems with any option. there are also benefits. i for one am at a point where i'm itchy for feedback, and am looking to improve. some folks just need ego stroked. i like the mentor idea but that's a personal relationship that should not be entered lightly. colin, what in particular are you finding exceptional?