It's a great resource for keeping a finger on the pulse of the market, and finding out who's hot, who's not. Although started for discussion of writing, submissions, critiques, various mind-joggers and exercises are also passed among the participants. All postings are archived and available to members. A workshop for fiction writers. The tone is professional, and most members are actually pursuing publication, usually in science fiction or fantasy.
Flame wars are sporadic.
It is a requirement of the sublists that you critique at least once a week. You will get confirmation and an instruction kit. Sites are updated regularly. Pages of interest to Romance Writers Joanne Reid's Page for Writers. Lots of cross references, an agent directory, publishers' tip-sheets.