KidPub Turns 18
Posted February 12th, 2013 by perryd
Thanks to everyone for the birthday greetings! It's been an amazing eighteen years...KidPub has grown from a small Linux computer in my living room with a few web pages on it to this incredible worldwide community of amazing young writers; from just a few visitors a week to over 3,000 visitors a day! I get email now from parents who were members back in the '90s and have kids who have grown up with KidPub. How crazy is that?
For readers who don't know the story of KidPub, here is the short version. Back in the mid 1990s I was working at a large computer company, Digital Equipment Corporation. One of my jobs was to do research on a brand new thing, something called the World Wide Web. I decided that the best way to figure out how it worked was to create my own web site. I had a friend whose daughter loved to write, and I made a little page to post her stories. Back then there were only 10,000 or so web sites in existence...now there are more than 200 million. I started receiving email from other kids who liked to write, asking if I would post -their- story, too. Pretty soon there were dozens, then hundreds, then THOUSANDS of stories posted from kids all over the world.
And it's just kept growing.
Like Dr. Who, there have been several versions of KidPub. The original pages looked pretty comical...I hand-drew the logo, and I didn't really know how to format a web page, so everything had a grey background. Stories were sent in by email, and I tried to format them as best I could before posting them. Around 2000 or so the entire site was rebuilt, and then again around 2008. There was a 'notebook' theme that we used for a couple of years, and finally what you see now was created.
Here's the original logo:
KidMUD, by the way, appeared for the first time in 1996. The first version was destroyed by an evil player, and it was rebuilt several times. The current version was created in 2005.
For many years, KidPub was just a hobby. In 2008 I decided to devote my efforts full-time to it and the new KidPub Press book publishing company. Now we have a small staff, and the little computer in my living room has been replaced by a rack of servers in a datacenter in Los Angeles. We've become the largest publisher of books by kids with over 300 titles in print, and KidPub was featured last April in a front-page New York Times story on kids and publishing. By the end of this year we're projecting growth to 5,000 visitors each day at kidpub.com and 450 book titles in print.
It's been an incredible ride for the past 18 years and I can't wait to write the post for our 20th anniversary. And our 25th. And our 40th.
Through all those years, the one thing that has been constant is you, our members and visitors. I simply love reading all your stories, comments, arguments, posts, and everything else. I am incredibly proud of our members. Frankly, you just amaze me with your writing and the way you create KidPub in your own image. My philosophy is that kids are good people, and what I do is give you the tools to express yourself and then just step back to see what happens. It's a big, ever-changing family and every morning I wake up excited to see what you've come up with.
Thank you so much for making KidPub something special. All of you.
Perry
KidPub Authors Club members can post their own stories, comment on stories they've read, play on KidMud, enter our contests, and more! Want to join in on the fun? Joining is easy!
*wow* Wow. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't say anything but that. And thank you...this is so amazing.
"My thoughts are stars I can't fathom into constellations." -Augustus Waters (The Fault In Our Stars)
^_^ This is awesome, Perry! I'm proud to be a member of Kidpub! :P
On that happy note... when are the January contest results going to be posted? XD
THANK YOU PERRY! :D
~Moonbeam~ The Transfer: http://www.kidpub.com/book-page-or-chapter/transfer-prologue-998133838
Happy Birthday KidPub!!! :D :D :D :D
Thanks you so much for this, Perry!
~Want to find out more about me? Here's my bio: http://www.kidpub.com/users/jomarch ~
kidpub has not only made me into a story writer its made me a poet and a song writer!!!
i love KIDPUB!!!! :D
thanks Perry
Looking for a contest!? JOIN MY SUCH FUN CONTEST!! --------- http://www.kidpub.com/story/such-fun-contest-please-enter-2293134417 ~TheBookBum :D
Happy b-day, KidPub! Thanks for creating it, Perry!
_______
Keep calm and carry a lightsaber.
WAS THAT A DOCTOR WHO REFERENCE PERRY
Perry, thank you so much for everything. You are awesome.
sassy is forever, wincest is unsinkable, and destiel is canon.
Oh my god Perry you made a Doctor Who reference you're more amazing than I thought :'D
KidPub has changed my life and made it so much better, and it's made me so much better. Both in writing and as a person. So thank you so so so much for KidPub, Perry! :D I'm really glad to hear you'll be keeping KP running for a long time.
(I think I need to start a war or something and manage to destroy KP before I leave, bwahahaha… :3)
I have only been on Kid Pub sence December, but already I feel like I am apart of one big amazing family.
Thank you for creating Kid Pub I am proud to be apart of it.
~*~Sapphire~*~ Never laugh at live Dragons. J.R.R. Tolkien
/cackles/ I'm just glad I found KidPub because my writings' improved so much since I found it. Not to metion the amazing people and creations. Plus, it's like a second family/home. I alway feel welcome.
/Perry, I saw that Doctor Who/
;D
/failcomment
Art is the weapon. Imagination the ammunition. Stay strong, and stay dirty. Create and destroy as you see fit.
He probably knows all our fandoms xD
sassy is forever, wincest is unsinkable, and destiel is canon.
XD He probably does.
Art is the weapon. Imagination the ammunition. Stay strong, and stay dirty. Create and destroy as you see fit.
Ahh. :3 This is so cool. Did you ever imagine at the start that this would last 18 years? I'm so glad I found this website. :D This is one-of-a-kind, and it one of the few websites where you can have a real community to connect to.
(Oh, and I love the DW reference. XD)
Thanks so much for giving us "the tools to express yourself" and stepping back "to see what happens". Our KP family may have a few fights here and there, but overall, we're a big community and our writing - and ourselves - have prospered from it.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KP! AND MANY MOOOOOOORE!
..oh my Gavroche I sound way too formal in this comment...
_______________
Think you're poor? Think you're free? Follow me! FOLLOW ME!
Love the Les Miz reference :)
-AA
Wow, Perry made a Doctor Who reference. XD I thought he couldn't get anymore awesome.
Happy Birthday KP!!!
Thanks so much for creating KP! Without it, I don't think my writing would be as good as it is today. And also, I don't think I'd have met awesome people. XP
A boy with a troubled life becomes the Grim Reaper. Will he survive?
KidPub is the most amazing website ever, and I am incredibly proud to be a member. Thank you so much for creating this awesome place ^O^ HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIDPUB!!!!
~~Hey you; get off of my cloud~~
Aww, it's so touching! *wipes tear* You've grown up so fast, KidPub! *buries face in hands and starts sobbing*
Anyways, thank you SO much, Perry, for creating this awesome website. It is amazing to hear how much this site has evolved over the years. I love KidPub and all its members, and I hope it has many more birthdays to come!!!!
HAPPY 18th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Kaley :) :D :P
"...I stop and look at the cabin, remembering the tragic and life-changing past of this very place....This is where everything began." -From my book, The Camping Game
Happy 18th birthday, KidPub!!! Perry, this website is amazing. It has greatly improved my writing skills and I spend so much time on here daily. I love KidPub!!!
Anybody need homework help or tutoring? Check out my WB thread! http://www.kidpub.com/forum3/showthread.php?t=3180
Please enter my character contest! http://www.kidpub.com/book-page-or-chapter/my-seemingly-perfect-life-cha...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
KIDPUB!!!!!
I can't wait until KPs 21 birthday. XD XD XD
"Mutants are freaks, which makes you and I the freaks of the freaks." -Read Black now: http://www.kidpub.com/book-page-or-chapter/black-prologueedited-and-even...
M-Making... it special? Perry, that's so awesome. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIDPUB! 18 is a big number, right? Right. Three thousand visitors a day? Whoa... That's a lot.. I had no idea it was anywhere near that amount.... Thank you, Perry, for making this awesome website for us all. :D I don't think anyone can really thank you enough because... because.... KidPub is just awesome.
~evasong
"When one fact supports another but neither really are." -Poirot, The Mystery of the Blue Train, Agatha Christie
I'm so proud to one of the small number of people around the world who gets to celebrate this ^>^ Congratulations, Perry and the KP Team, for a great KP 12 year-a-versary :D
~A daughter is stolen by the Monastery, sent to live in a place where she will never again see the daylight. But she's different...and determined to find out how to overthrow the Deedwriter and bring back her enslaved parents...Have You Heard?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIDPUB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *hands virtual taco* *gives cake*
~~
The past is the past, and you can't change it. You can change the future, though. So why do teachers always yak at us on how bad we did on tests? They should be preparing us for the future. -Me :)
YES. 8D
*nods* YESH HAPPEH BIRTHDAY KP!!!! I've been on this site for almost 2 years and I love it! It's so addicting, I'm on here everyday when I can. XD
Then we need to unite
It's just a Game
A Gifted Game
Thank you too, Perry.
It's all I say. And all I can say, all I have to say.
*Jill*
~*Hand-Drawn Book covers!*~ At least CLICK! http://www.kidpub.com/story/book-cover-business-okay-peoples-all-new-try... Hand drawn and awesome!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIDPUB!
*grabs tissue box and sniffles*
That was so beautiful, Perry. ;w; KP has most definitely gone far since you started it.
Book I | Chapter One * Bringing Humanity Back *NEW* Chapter One is finally out!
*~Click here to read!~*
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIDPUB! Thank's Perry, you're the coolest!
*~Purple Indigo~*
I am so proud to be a member of KidPub! Perry, you're awesome and you've always been there for us! Congradulations Perry and Happy Birthday KidPub!
Another happy day at Camp Half-Blood! And then. . . "Go alert! It's the wine dude!" dun dun dun. . .
Happy Birthday, KidPub! I hope that KP sticks around long enough for my kids to become members! (That would be super cool and really sweet!)
"Just look at this cake! It has a chicken in it!!! And my hair! *points to messy hair* *whispers* I think it might also have a chicken in it..." ~Candace from Phineas and Ferb
Oh, KidPub. You have been part of my life for only about a year, but...it's still touching to see you grow and how you've changed. Thanks for posting this, Perry! AND you mentioned Doctor Who, which is my favorite TV show!!!!!! True, true, it has changed a lot since the 1950's and such.
"I am smart. And I am fun. And I am almost always in a good mood, dammit!"~ Juliet O'Hera
KidPub has changed my life. It has given me an outlet, it has given me so many new friends, It's also helped improve my writing, and now I'm above average in my writing skills. Thank you Perry, for making this a reality! I don't know where I'd be without it. :) *huggles*
~Bow ties are cool~The Doctor
Happy Birthday KidPub!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =)
A link in space, a hole in time. It may be when worlds collide. Maybe I am wrong, maybe I am right. No matter what we stand together, I know you're my friend forever. ~Me
Yay! Go Kid Pub!!!!!
O.O wait, KP is legally an adult now! :)
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you....
*Gives amazing speech* (just take my word for it, it was pretty amazing. What, Um, No, I'm not going to post it...)
if life gives you lemons, go buy some oranges instead.
I dont know WHAT I would do without KP ... Thank you for making my life better Perry. I HOPE YOU KEEP WRITING!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much, Perry!
Great speech Perry! Wow, now I know the whole story! I AM A PROUD MEMBER OF KIDPUB!!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KIDPUB! I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE ANNIVERSARIES TO COME!! :D KP FOREVER!!
-----------
"Books. Libraries. Pictures. Words. Sentences. The elements of a story. Simply wonderful!" ~Me
"Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes."~Jim Carrey
KP is THE place to be. Without KP, where would a lot of us be? It's like a safe haven where you can have fun and enjoy writing with others that enjoy it too. Thanks Perry. :)
This website has meaned so much to me over the past few months! I read the second last sentence and believe that it is totally true. You formed this wonderful idea of Kidpub in your mind and offered us all of the tools we could need to enhance our writing skills. Thank you so much, Perry- and everyone else a part of the Kidpub community. Happy birthday Kidpub!
KidPub's officially an adult now!
Fear cuts deeper than swords~Syrio Forel / Arya Stark.
Oh goodness, this is so touching. :'^D Thank you for all your hard work, Perry! KidPub has certainly made a huge impact in my life. There is simply no way to express my gratitude.
And of course we're all excited about that Doctor Who reference... ;^D
Happy 18th Birthday, KidPub!
"They say you're the city's fearless bloodhound... but all I see is a lonely stray." ~The Transparent Timepiece
Wow. Love the old logo. ^_^
That's amazing. I'm so proud that I've joined this, and now I'm part of history. Happy Birthday Kidpub! And thank you for the post Perry.
Oh, and who could forget the Doctor Who reference? :'D
"Funerals are for the living."- TheAshWolf
So often, every single one of you brilliant students has made me proud. Never a day goes by for which I do not find something to be amazed by in you.
However, today, you have disappointed me.
For, you see, my dear pupils, this is not the year that this wonderous realm known as KidPub becomes legally exits the world of minority and youth, into the world of taxes and the Ministry. It was, indeed, the year 2012. For, my dears, we are not like muggles, I must remind you; wizards come of age at the ripe year of seventeen.
—Sincerely, Headmaster Dumbledore
Very true. Thanks Headmaster.
You do not know how badly I wanted to put quotation marks around the word Headmaster.
"Funerals are for the living."- TheAshWolf
I honestly wish you were standing in front of me right now, 'cause I'd totally just glomp you with a hug, you clever crumpet.
X^D
"They say you're the city's fearless bloodhound... but all I see is a lonely stray." ~The Transparent Timepiece
That was awesome!!!!!!! :P Go Dumbledore!
~Moonbeam~ The Transfer: http://www.kidpub.com/book-page-or-chapter/transfer-prologue-998133838
LST, you are amazing. XD
_______________
Think you're poor? Think you're free? Follow me! FOLLOW ME!
Nice. ^_^ Thanks for reminding us....Dumbledore. xD
~~~Let it go....*~Burst~*~~~
My gosh, you've gotten emails from former members that are all grown up, now?! O.O That's wonderful!
....Did you just make a Doctor Who reference? O__O XD OH MY WORD, PERRY, THAT WAS BRILLIANT!!! I like the original logo. ^_^
Perry, you're amazing. You've spent so much time and energy on this site, and for that, we are truly grateful. This site is what it is because of all your hard work and your open mind.
I honestly don't know how to thank you, Perry. If you hadn't have made this site all those years ago, or if I'd never have found it...I don't know where I'd be. O_O I simply cannot thank you enough for all the things you've done for us. :'D You're the best!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The planet Ectroi is waiting for you…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIDPUB!!!!!! WOOOH! *throws confetti*
It's amazing how far Kidpub has come! And you get e-mails from parents that used to be members? That's awesome!!!
Thankyou, so much Perry, for creating this website and helping thosands of authors to grow. My writing has improved HUGELY and I've met some great people I would never have met if it wasn't for you :3 And the fact that you went from a computer in your living room to a datacentre in LA is truely a massive feat. So bravo Perry, for creating this amazing website that has changed lives
:3
(And of course, who couldn't resist a Dr Who reference? ;)
RANDOM DW SPAM
All it takes is a spark...
Haha.
DALEKS BOOM
"I am smart. And I am fun. And I am almost always in a good mood, dammit!"~ Juliet O'Hera
XD
All it takes is a spark...
Thankyou so much Perry! Ever since I found out about this website in a newspaper cutting four months ago, I knew this website was the place for me. Kidpub is the ultimate pathway for kids who enjoy writing, and I'm so glad I've found it. I agree that everybody on this site has their own beautiful, creative writing technique and I enjoy myself so much reading, commenting, posting my own stuff. I salute you Perry, and everybody else on Kidpub. MAY IT SHINE FOR THE YEARS TO COME! HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY!!!!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Doctor Who mention = Epic!
Please read my Skyrim Fanfiction! http://www.kidpub.com/book-page-or-chapter/dovahkin-chapter-1-skyrim-fan... Book Covers!!! http://www.kidpub.com/forum3/showthread.php?t=3051
You mentioned Doctor Who. :'D *tackle glomps*
Thank you, Perry, for making this website. I've made so many awesome friends...
When I finished reading this: Awwwwww ;~;
Thank you Perry for creating Kidpub! And happy birthday KP ^o^
Read Ena/TDC and Ian/Turtle's book, The Dark Calligrapher: http://www.kidpub.com/book-page-or-chapter/dark-calligrapher-prologue-19...
I left but I came back... :)
Happy Birthday KP!!!
We are the same age now!!! Only for a few weeks though...how epic!!
"Love is the movement." (I have a bracelet that says this one) "Hope is the mission." TWLOHA supporter! [url=http://www.twloha.com/]TWLOHA![/url] "Rescue is possible."
I know I'm late but....happy birthday KidPub! :D
This place is amazing! I can't believe how much I have grown as a writer with KidPub. I'm really grateful for this amazing website. :)
*That sounded super cheesy. xD But true!
*~Dreamwalker~*The First in the Trilogy
http://i50.tinypic.com/2502pmt.png
Thanks so much! KidPub actually made me believe that i could do what i had always wanted to do, publish a real book. Thanks!
Others can decide what you are, but only you can decide who you are. ~TimberWolf -_-
Happy Birthday, Kidpub!
I have always admired this website, even before I became a member. Now, being a part of this amazing social site, I feel like I have a real family. Kidpub has let me express myself in ways that I never knew I could before. Thanks for being there, Kidpub.
- Generation2. when you see this, post it on your sig as a sign of epykness with the next number. Social experiment.- Please read my SciFi story: The Whisperers! http://www.kidpub.com/book-page-or-chapter/whisperers-prologue-225312731...
Dumbledore has come out, so I suppose I must too. Thank you, Mister.... Perry, for mentioning my during this moment. This is a fixed point, I am meant to talk here so thank you, for making this so much easier. Happy Birthday, KidPub. And one more thing:
Bowties and fezes and glasses and bunk beds are cool.
~The Doctor.
That was an awesome speech. :'D And for some reason that "The first version was destroyed by an evil player" part made me laugh. XD Hah, who wouldn't love the original logo? xD Goodness....
It's really amazing to think of how far Kidpub has gone. :3 :D *throws confetti in the air*
Yay, Happy Birthday Kidpub!!! :D
Ok two days late but whatever ^_^~~~Let it go....*~Burst~*~~~
KidPub is 18.
People have to leave KidPub when they're 18.
KidPub must now leave KidPub.
KIDPUBCEPTION
~~There's no Canada like French Canada, it's the best Canada in the land~~
SANDY
Y
WHY
Y
YOU'RE FRAPPING AMAZING.
Fold your wings and fly like paper...
*mindblown*
All it takes is a spark...
*_*
*le mindblown too*
BUT some people don't HAVE to leave KidPub if they don't want to. I mean, it's KIDpub, but some 18-year-olds act like kids..derp idk. Ignore me, ignore me. *disappears into the darkness* xP
Book I | Chapter One * Bringing Humanity Back *NEW* Chapter One is finally out!
*~Click here to read!~*
KIDPUB IS NOW ADULTPUB
~~There's no Canada like French Canada, it's the best Canada in the land~~
'cause KP is just awesome that way... <8^D
Book I | Chapter One * Bringing Humanity Back *NEW* Chapter One is finally out!
*~Click here to read!~*
XD BEST GIF EVER!!! LOL XD. It's funny 'cause I just re-watched that episode with my brother and came on here and saw this!!! LOL I couldn't syop laughing!
"Mutants are freaks, which makes you and I the freaks of the freaks." -Read Black now: http://www.kidpub.com/book-page-or-chapter/black-prologueedited-and-even...
Same. When I saw this gif, I couldn't stop cracking up! I thought it was completely perfect to post. XD
Book I | Chapter One * Bringing Humanity Back *NEW* Chapter One is finally out!
*~Click here to read!~*
oh my god
XD I love that gif.
All it takes is a spark...
Still processing all this... XD
Book I | Chapter One * Bringing Humanity Back *NEW* Chapter One is finally out!
*~Click here to read!~*
I think you may have just caused the apocalypse, Sandy. An awesome way to blow our brains out, though.
wowowowowowowWOW!!! Happy birthday,Kidpub!!
Take away the use and you have art. - Dad from Frannie in Pieces
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIDPUB!
Perry, I saw that Doctor Who refrence you made there . . . *wink wink*
XD!
"Anderson, don't talk out loud, you lower the IQ of the entire street." -- Sherlock BBC
I think it's so funny how, even though I feel like I've been on KiDpub for ages, you hear of people who were once members and are now grown up with KIDS on KidPub! :D Really show's epic this website is!
LONG LIVE LE KIDPUB!
She's raising hell... http://www.kidpub.com/book-page-or-chapter/pandora-legacy-prologue-78212...
Hah, I just realised that the 'i', the 'u' and 'p' in the original KidPub logi hav the colours dfferent than in the current one.. Did anyone else notice that?
She's raising hell... http://www.kidpub.com/book-page-or-chapter/pandora-legacy-prologue-78212...
I noticed. ^_^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The planet Ectroi is waiting for you…
OMPJ... OMPJ... OMPJ...
*le is about to cry. seriously.*
Wow, Perry... this has come a long way.
Ignore the mushiness, but KP has done a lot for me over the past few years. In times, I've felt somewhat lost with my life--but then I found KidPub, and truly discovered writing, and I was changed for the better. I think KidPub has affected my entire life from here on out; now I know what it's like to be a part of a "family," and truly to have a passion like this.
But that's just my story. KidPub is something else in itself. I hope we go for 18 more years and beyond. :') And thanks to Perry for creating such a wonderful website!
*~ Da Franksta ~*
I've only been on for about 1 year..... BUT I STILL LOVE KP!!!!!!!!!!- Panthera tigris tigris Love dragons? Read this! http://www.kidpub.com/book-page-or-chapter/legacy-fire-book-1-prophecy-f...
If this site did not exist, I don't think I would even be into writing as much as I am today. Thank you Perry! Without you we wouldn't be here. Congratulations on a great 18 years, and let's hope for another 18!
635 reads already ~*~Sapphire~*~ Never laugh at live Dragons. J.R.R. Tolkien
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIDPUB!!!!!'
~infinitywriter~
Until the End of Time
Chapter One: http://www.kidpub.com/book-page-or-chapter/until-end-time-chapter-one-wi...
I would really appreciate it if you read this!!!
Hi perry i was wondering if you would read some of my stories and tell me what you think I LOVE KID PUB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He does read most of all of them. No comments, though.
*Jill*
~*Hand-Drawn Book covers!*~ At least CLICK! http://www.kidpub.com/story/book-cover-business-okay-peoples-all-new-try... Hand drawn and awesome!