Online romance column ending run

Not long after starting this column, I received an e-mail from a very nice gentleman who gave me a great recommendation.

I'd written an article where I listed "Romantic Times" as a wonderful reference to use, and he wrote very enthusiastically about a Web site called All About Romance (www.likesbooks.com) and specifically its online column, "At the Back Fence."

I'm embarrassed to admit that I'd never even heard of the Web site before but promptly became a fan after checking it out.

Since then, I've occasionally visited the site to brainstorm, do research for an upcoming column or just to find out what fans are talking about. It's amazingly comprehensive with essays, interviews, forums and a fantastic search engine.

I particularly enjoy AAR's reviews, which are well-written and refreshingly honest. There's a take-no-prisoners approach to them that I love, especially because good romance reviews are hard to find. (Publishers Weekly is surprisingly fair, by the way.) An AAR review offers an in-depth critique of a book and has the courage to point out weaknesses or flaws, unlike some reviews that seem to be just a reworded synopsis.

Ultimately, what All About Romance provides is a virtual encyclopedia of knowledge by longtime, passionate readers of the genre.

Recently, I heard from the gentleman again who was writing to inform me that "At the Back Fence" was drawing to a close. A regular reader of it for years, he wrote, "For 10 years it has been the best written and most thought-provoking romance column online or anywhere for that matter."

One of the column's regular contributors, Robin Uncapher, wrote the final issue celebrating the history and achievements of "At the Back Fence."

Founded by Laurie Gold, the column originally was known as "Laurie's News and Views" and changed its name in 2000. Uncapher describes the early years, the sense of solidarity among the contributors, struggles with publishers/authors over reviews and the way the romance genre, especially how it's chronicled online, has changed over the past decade.

Following the announcement that Gold had decided to retire from "At the Back Fence," the new management, made up of AAR staffers, decided not to continue the column. An archive of old issues will be available on the Web site.

What will take the column's place is yet to be determined. The management promises not to change too much on the Web site but says some things need to be updated to reflect new technology. Considering the number of talented writers who contribute to the site, it's almost certain that other columns and/or projects will appear in the future.

Despite the promise, though, it's clear that "At the Back Fence," the longest running romance column online, will be greatly missed.

Reach Rebekah Bradford at rebekah.bradford@gmail.com.