Before everyone had access to the Internet most of us either did without online communities or we found like-minded souls on commercial bulletin board services like Genie, Compuserve, and a few others.

Compuserve at one time had more content than the entire Internet, and its SF Literature forum was a legendary home for immense discussions rivaling (and sometimes surpassing) the ancient Usenet news groups.

Before Compuserve succumbed to the pressures of bad management decisions and competition, professional science fiction and fantasy writers led by Sasha Miller mentored wannabe writers in the SF Lit Forum's Writing Workshop. But the wait to be admitted to the workshop was interminable. Hence, a small group of waiting writers formed the IMPire.

Xenite founder Michael Martinez, one of the first generation IMPs, has now (after more than a year's delay) put together a tribute to the IMPire of the Compuserve IMPs. You'll find interviews with several of the IMPs, links to many IMP sites, and more.