News groups are essentially electronic bulletin boards. Unlike mail-lists, most groups require no registration. You can just visit the group, read the posted notices, and respond or post your own.
Postings remain for a limited time, and are replaced by new ones.
When you send a message it goes to each subscriber on the list. Similarly, you receive all messages posted by other list members. IBIC list of about 50 book related news groups everything from Stephen King to Tolkien. Also connect to bookseller lists and associations. A large selection of mail-lists and news groups provided by Deanna Ramsay.