Co-Authors and Collaboration

Pro. This feature requires WB Member Blog Pro. The free plugin must be installed and active first. See the Pro index for every Pro module.

Allow multiple authors to collaborate on the same post. The Co-Authors module enables invitation-based collaboration, shared editing, and multi-author bylines on published posts.

What You’ll Learn

How to invite collaborators to your posts How the invitation workflow works How to configure byline display Understanding co-author permissions

Core Features

FeatureDescriptionInvite CollaboratorsInvite members by username or emailShared EditingAll co-authors can edit the postMulti-Author BylineDisplay all authors on published postsInvitation FlowEmail + on-site notifications for invitesPost LockingPrevent simultaneous editing conflicts

How to Invite Collaborators

For the Primary Author

Create or edit a post Click Add Co-Author Search for members by name or username Click Invite next to the member Wait for them to accept

For Invited Members

Receive notification (email and/or on-site) View invitation details Click Accept or Decline If accepted, the post appears in your dashboard

Invitation Status

StatusMeaningPendingWaiting for responseAcceptedCo-author has joinedDeclinedInvitation was rejectedExpiredTime limit passed (auto-declined)

Co-Author Permissions

What Co-Authors Can Do

Edit post content (title, body, excerpt) Upload or change featured image Add or modify custom fields Save drafts Submit for review

What Only the Primary Author Can Do

Invite new co-authors Remove co-authors Delete the post Change post status (publish/unpublish)

Byline Configuration

Control how co-author names display on published posts:

SettingExampleSeparator”, “ (comma space)Last Separator” & “ (space-and-space)

Result: “Alice, Bob, Carol & Dan”

To reorder authors: Drag and drop co-author names in the post editor to change their display order.

Post Locking

Prevents editing conflicts when multiple co-authors work simultaneously:

ScenarioBehaviorUser A opens postPost locked for User AUser B tries to editSees “User A is editing” messageUser A closes or times outLock released after 15 minutesUser B can then editGets fresh lock

Notifications

Co-author events trigger notifications automatically:

EventWho Gets NotifiedNew invitationInvited memberInvitation acceptedPrimary authorInvitation declinedPrimary authorPost publishedAll co-authorsCo-author removedRemoved member

Admin Settings

Configure co-authors at Member Blog → Co-Authors:

SettingDefaultDescriptionMax Co-Authors5Maximum collaborators per postInvitation Expiry7 daysPending invites auto-expireAllow Email InvitesYesSend invitations via emailPost Locking Timeout15 minLock duration during editingCo-Author Can Remove SelfYesAllow leaving a collaboration

Best Practices

ScenarioRecommendationTeam blogsSet max 3-5 co-authors, enable editorial workflowGuest contributionsKeep max at 2, disable self-removalMagazine styleEnable byline ordering, use editorial workflowCollaborative writingIncrease lock timeout to 30 min