A while back, a bunch of other folks and I started talking about how we’d like to have a place online to go and talk about something we all love: young adult and middle-grade fantasy novels! We kept talking, a lot of people were very generous with time and talent, and the end result is now online: The Enchanted Inkpot!

I am really excited about this project for many reasons: There’s the gorgeous artwork Gin made us for the page — check out the titles on the books! And the slate of interviews coming up (Ellen Jensen Abbot, Cindy Pon, Elizabeth C Bunce, Tamora Pierce!). And the Book Club — we’re reading JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH this month, and more excellent books are on the way (next up is THE BLUE SWORD by Robin McKinley). But I think the thing I am most excited about is just talking with other people who love this genre. In the whirlwind of publication it can be easy to get lost in book promotion, worrying about the industry, editing, one’s own future… I sometimes feel like I’ve forgotten the reason I started writing in the first place: because I LOVE stories, especially stories with and element of the fantastic.

So, I invite any of you who share that interest to sign up to watch the community, or subscribe to the feed. And please comment! We’re new and still learning, but we are definitely looking forward to some good conversations.

I’ll be posting occasional links here when new features go up on the Inkpot. Later this month we’ll be having discussions on “Fantasy in Asia”, “How do you write what you know in Fantasy?” and a topic I’ll personally be starting off: “The Wise Old Wizard Archetype”. There will also be miscellaneous fun discussions, news updates, and more…

Also, if you are a writer of fantasy for kids and are interested in joining as a member (ie to lead discussions and book clubs) stay tuned as we’ll begin accepting applications in May.