Inkpop, a new hub for teen readers and writers

(2009 HarperCollins Publishers, All rights reserved.)

On January 25, publisher HarperCollins officially launched inkpop, an interactive writing platform for teens. Aimed at young readers and writers, the platform includes a combination of community publishing features, user-generated content, and social networking.

Setting inkpop apart from the plethora of other online writing communities is its Editorial Board, a panel of international HarperCollins editors and authors who review the site's top five monthly selections, providing feedback to the young authors and considering their work for publication.

The site also hosts forum events, such as a recent one with Carolyn Mackler, author of young adult books Tangled and The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, who answered questions from readers.

Since its soft launch in November 2009, inkpop has attracted 10,000 members and nearly 11,000 submissions, including novels, poems, essays, and short stories. Visitors to the English-only site are mostly teens ages 13 and older, from 109 different countries and territories.

HarperCollins is expected to announce partnerships throughout the year that will allow the users to add photography, video, and artwork to inkpop projects.

http://www.inkpop.com