Last summer, Inkspot's Editor-in-chief, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, assigned me the task of developing the travel writing and other genre sections of Inkspot. I was thrilled to get involved in one of the Web's best writing resources in this way, and I began making contacts, conducting interviews, doing online research, looking for links, markets, and anything else I thought travel writers might be interested in. Though my focus was on the Travel Writer's Spot, I learned a great deal about a number of other genre, and with the help of several editors who later came on board, began to build a few of the other genre sections out as well. (A special thanks to Barbara Yanez, Editor of the Technical & Business Writer's Resource; Peggy Tibbetts, Editor of the Children's Writing Resource; Japheth Brubaker, Editor of the Poet's Resource; and Pam Hansell, Editor of the Personal Nonfiction Point -- for tremendous work in expanding and improving their respective genre pages.)
In early-September I started the monthly Travelwriter newsletter, which soon became bi-monthly. I have enjoyed the feedback from subscribers, the great contacts I've made, the doors this work has opened for me, and I've especially enjoyed being able to provide what I perceive as a valuable resource for travel writers. There are few, if any, places on the Web, that provide such an extent of content, markets and resources specifically for travel writers -- all in one place. I believe the same goes for some of the other genre sections, and for the whole of Inkspot. We have tried to be the best resource for writers of any genre and level of ability, and have earned lots of awards and recognition for our efforts.
Unfortunately, the time has come when Inkspot can no longer be funded and will no longer be developed and maintained by the Inkspot staff. It is a sad day for all of us and we're sure, for many in the writing community.
I can only hope our creative paths will continue to cross on the Web and in the world. Continued happy trails, and best of luck in all your writing endeavors.
Kennerly Clay
Genres Editor