diff --git a/.github/contributing.md b/.github/contributing.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..875cbf03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/contributing.md
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+When submitting a patch make sure the commits in your pull request:
+
+* Have good commit messages
+
+  Please read Chris Beams' blog post [How to Write a Git Commit
+  Message](https://chris.beams.io/posts/git-commit/) on how to write a
+  good commit message. Although the article recommends at most 50
+  characters for the subject, up to 72 characters are frequently
+  accepted for fast-export.
+
+* Adhere to good [commit
+hygiene](http://www.ericbmerritt.com/2011/09/21/commit-hygiene-and-git.html)
+
+  When developing a pull request for hg-fast-export, base your work on
+  the current `master` branch and rebase your work if it no longer can
+  be merged into the current `master` without conflicts. Never merge
+  `master` into your development branch, rebase if your work needs
+  updates from `master`.
+
+  When a pull request is modified due to review feedback, please
+  incorporate the changes into the proper commit. A good reference on
+  how to modify history is in the [Pro Git book, Section
+  7.6](https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2/Git-Tools-Rewriting-History).
+
+Please do not submit a pull request if you are not willing to spend
+the time required to address review comments or revise the patch until
+it follows the guidelines above. A _take it or leave it_ approach to
+contributing wastes both your and the maintainer's time.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 35bacbe9..ee7b7f00 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -262,6 +262,10 @@ hygiene](http://www.ericbmerritt.com/2011/09/21/commit-hygiene-and-git.html)
   how to modify history is in the [Pro Git book, Section
   7.6](https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2/Git-Tools-Rewriting-History).
 
+Please do not submit a pull request if you are not willing to spend
+the time required to address review comments or revise the patch until
+it follows the guidelines above. A _take it or leave it_ approach to
+contributing wastes both your and the maintainer's time.
 
 Frequent Problems
 =================