Inkspot.com, a Web site produced in Canada, bills itself as “The Writer’s Resource.” With articles ranging from “How to self‐syndicate your column” to “Electronic publishing: protecting your rights,” however, the site actually focuses on the process of getting ‐ and keeping ‐ one’s works published. The site also features interviews with published authors and provides viewers with a few articles about the writing process, such as “So you want to write a book: facing the challenge.”
Debbie Ridpath Ohi, the editor of the page, clearly wants Inkspot.com to serve as a collection of resources and support for writers who are working toward publication. The “Community” section offers forums; publishing‐related classifieds; a community center; reading and bookstore recommendations, and a “writer’s poll” to generate discussions.
This site also serves as a springboard for Inklings, a free biweekly email newsletter with offerings similar to Inkspot.com. New visitors may find the “Welcome” section worth their while. It makes the site’s rationale, features, and contact information easily accessible. The featured articles are generally well‐written and straightforward. Links to other publishing‐related resources on the Web are generously sprinkled throughout the site.
The site is logically laid out. Articles, columns, and other features are easy to access, and the page loads quickly. A few of the ads are distracting; but all of them have something to do with writing and/or publishing. The site appears to be updated frequently, though this is not stated formally on the page.
Inkspot.com’s focus may be off‐putting to those writers who view the creative process itself, and not just publishing, as the main reward of writing. Its emphasis on the “bottom line” will most likely appeal to those who have polished their works to the point of making them publishable, but who have not yet explored ways of getting their works published.
Writers looking for publishing resources may find Inkspot.com valuable. Those who are just starting out, however, may wish to look elsewhere on the Web for support.
