Registered User: Identified by a GRAY portfolio icon, these members enjoy the ability to fully participate in WDC activities by posting in forums, adding to interactive stories, following their favorite authors and items, and so on. They are also able to create portfolio items with respect to their membership level, and thus become a Registered Author.

Registered Author: Identified by a BLACK portfolio icon, these members have created and stored at least one item in their Portfolio. They have complete access to community tools and features that are provided for with their free or paid membership level.

Preferred Author: Identified by a YELLOW portfolio icon, these members are Registered Authors who have been selected and promoted by the WDC Staff for a combination of reasons, including the quality and variety of items in their portfolio, the quality and quantity of their reviews and ratings, their positive community involvement and interaction with other members, their technical understanding of the site, and a willingness to help other members. One doesn't have to be an expert in all these areas; just take the time to learn and participate.

Moderator: Identified by a BLUE portfolio icon, these members are Preferred Authors who have been selected and promoted by the WDC Staff because of their knowledge of the site and helpfulness toward other members. Moderators are volunteer leaders within the community, and are able to either answer most site related questions or point members in the right direction for help. Moderators also write the official WDC newsletters, and with the Staff and Senior Moderators, monitor most of the help and support forums providing answers to those in need. Ninety-three members are currently active Mods.

Senior Moderator: Identified by a PURPLE portfolio icon, these members are Moderators who have been selected and promoted by the WDC Staff because of their helpfulness and concern for the members of WDC. Promotion is based upon their overall activity, improvements, and achievements since they joined WDC. Senior Moderators hold the highest level of responsibility among the volunteer leaders on site. There are currently six active Senior Mods.

Memorialized Author: Writing.Com respects and honors the writings and memories of members who have passed away by maintaining their portfolios as a tribute to them. These members are Identified by a WHITE portfolio icon. There are currently 12 memorialized portfolios. Check out "White Case Memorial"  for more on this tribute.

Staff: Identified by a RED portfolio icon, staff members manage the day to day operations of the site, maintain Writing.Com policies and procedures, improve the website, and monitors the general well-being of the members. They are hands-on folks with a genuine desire to make Writing.com the best writing site possible.