by Les Anderson

A quick question and answer commentary on why the Spotlights exist at canvas and pen.

Question: What are the Spotlights?

The Spotlights are here to draw attention to writers and artists we feel are of interest to the world.

Question: Is there something specific about a writer or artist's work that makes you feel the world would be interested in him or her?

That "something" varies from person to person, and with each piece of work. There may be only one thing appealing about an artist's work. Others may find that same work offensive. Cliché alert: You can't please all the people all the time. That's one of the beauties of the creative world.

Question: Aren't you exploiting writer and artist work for your own gain?

We sometimes place established writers and artists in the Spotlight. This is to encourage aspiring up-and-comers. For those yet undiscovered, canvas and pen is providing a valuable service to the writers and artists in the Spotlight. As of this writing, Alexa, the web information company, ranks canvas and pen in the top 1.5% of all available websites on the internet. Spotlighting writers and artists here exposes the work to thousands of eyes that might not otherwise see it.

Question: Why don't you just allow writers and artists to upload their own work and create their own galleries so they can display their work in the light of their choosing?

Many existing websites allow just such a procedure. One of the beauties of doing it the way we do, actually benefits the writer and artist in a way that creating their own galleries does not. If a writer or artist is attempting publication, it is a great benefit that he or she has created a "look at me" collection for him/herself. However, it's a beautiful testament to that artist when an unaffiliated website feels strongly enough to dedicate a full page (and sometimes more) to promoting that person's work.

Question: But canvas and pen still benefits from the display of other writers and artists work, right?

Canvas and pen receives no residuals or compensation from the work of an artist or writer Spotlighted on the website. The only exception is when a writer has a published book for sale at a site for which we are an affiliate. For example, writers' books featured in a Spotlight often contain a link to Amazon to buy the book. In this case, canvas and pen benefits, but so does the author when the sale is closed. With the Spotlight on canvas and pen, that's one more book sale the writer had a chance to make.

Question: But you get link backs from the various artists and writers, correct?

When canvas and pen Spotlights a writer or artist, we mention that links back to the website are much appreciated, but never required. Many writers and artists reciprocate with links, but just as many do not.

Question: Some of the articles and write-ups seem short. Why do you not post more information about an artist or writer in the Spotlight?

By keeping the articles shorter, we are encouraging our visitors to go to the writer or artist's own website. Again, this benefits the artist. It also generates goodwill for our visitors because we do not appear as if we are trying to exploit an artist's work.

Question: Then there must be other benefits to canvas and pen, in addition to the occasional book sale or the approximate 50% link back, right?

We look at the bigger picture. Canvas and pen helps other writers and artists around the world get exposure to their work that they might not otherwise get. We are writers and artists ourselves, active in (mostly writing) workshops, forums and websites, working on our own projects privately and publicly. We appreciate the help, honest feedback and relationships we garner through these associations. The Spotlights are one way we give back to the community. Ultimately, we believe what goes around will come back around to us, in some nice way. So yes, canvas and pen benefits from the Spotlights by forming good, lasting relationships. And that's a good thing.

Question: How do I get in the Spotlight, or recommend someone else?

Contact us, and be sure to include your email. We'd love to hear from you!