CALIFORNIA – After three years as editor-in-chief of AVN Online magazine, Tom Hymes has resigned his position, effective April 1st.“My decision to leave was a difficult one, but probably less out of fear of (or for) the future than the fact that I’ve been working incessantly on this magazine (and the daily news) for so many years, and how does one jump off a speeding train? But at some point one simply has to take the plunge, and that’s what I’m doing,” explained Hymes.

“About a month or so ago, I realized that the time had actually come. I had ideas I wanted to put into play, and things I wanted to write that might not be appropriate for AVN Online but that still need to be put out there, and I was also getting the feeling that I might miss an opportunity, that history might pass me by, and that now was the time to go out on my own and make real my vision, instead of seeing through someone else’s. That’s not a criticism of this magazine, its focus, its values, or its accomplishments. Far from it. I’m proud of what we’ve done over the past six years, and I expect it to continue here. I think every issue has had something in it that could help an adult Webmaster succeed or improve his business, and I have always tried to find a solid balance between supporting this industry and scolding it when it has engaged in irresponsible behavior, or worse!”

Hymes has been with the magazine since its first issue in May 1999. He was a staff writer until July 2002, when he became the magazine’s editor.

Asked about his plans for the future, Hymes was vague but nonetheless enthusiastic. “I am going to get free and clear of my all-encompassing editorial responsibilities, and then assess my options, which I have to think are many. That said, I have in fact put together a business plan that I have given to a few people who are interested in investing. It involves a Web and print publication, but the model in no way competes with any of the ad-based print trade publications that now serve the industry. I have a very specific and I think dynamic idea. The more I hone it, the more I discuss it with others, the more I like it. I wish I could be more clear, but I can’t right now. Suffice to say, in the coming months and years this industry will need all the articulate support it can get, and I want to be an independent voice of responsibility working toward a future where adults are still able to do adult business on the Internet, as well as across a myriad of other digital platforms. I want to provide very useful business value, very targeted analytic assessment, and I want to do it in a way, and at a place, that has yet to be exploited.”

“I feel very strongly about this, and I have faith that my passion will see this venture through to completion,” he added. “If it doesn’t, well, there are a hundred other things I can do. My ultimate priority, of course, is to take care of my family, my beautiful baby and wife, who are the fount of all joy in the world.”