Saturday, August 13, 2011

HASA Reviewed Stories August 2011

Since the previous Bulletin, 6 stories have been reviewed and there are currently also 9 stories in review. Make an author's day and review a story!

As I type this, there are 9 stories waiting to be reviewed (remember to log in before you follow the link).

Member participation is crucial for reviews. The more people are involved in reviewing, the more different opinions are represented. Just as importantly, having more people involved means that stories pass through review more quickly - which is good for everyone. If you are an active reviewer, why not go and check out a story?

Or, if you are a writer, take the plunge and submit a story for review (and when you do, remember: Put one in, take one out).

By submitting a story for review, you are asking nine other members to read and evaluate it. So why not do for the other authors who have a story in review what you'd like other reviewers to do for you: check out one of the stories already in review and give it a read.

Becoming a reviewer

If you're not an active reviewer, but think you can spare a bit of time... – even if you just review one or two stories in a month, every review is welcome. If you are logged in, you can sign up here if you've been a member of HASA for thirty days or more.

Daunted by the idea of reviewing? Don't worry, reviewing at its simplest comes down to asking yourself: "Would I recommend this story to someone?" Then, whether the answer is 'yes' or 'no', you can make a choice from the capsule reasons to clarify your decision. If you want to, you can add a few more words to convey what you (dis)liked about the story, but just the capsule reason is perfectly fine as well.

And remember: even if you think you're too critical or not critical enough: your review is only one of nine, and all points of view are welcome. Not every reviewer has to review every story and in the end it does all level out to a balanced judgement.

Reviewed story spotlight

These stories have passed through review since the previous bulletin. Congratulations to all authors; well done!

Treed by The Lauderdale

Rating: Adult
Genre: General
Era: 4th Age
Summary: Her father searches for her in vain. Her mother mourns her death. Now one young Elf's only hope of survival lies with the monster who took her, and in her own desperate will to live.

Woman of the Secret Shadow by Armariel
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 1st Age
Summary: The tale of Thuringwethil, messenger and consort of Sauron...and the mother of all vampires.

Lost & Found by Tanis
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - Ring War
Summary: Legolas doesn't know he's lost, but neither Aragorn nor Gimli can find him.

Three Sides to the Same Story by Starlight
Author:
Rating: General
Genre: Poetry
Era: 1st Age
Summary: Gwindor/Finduilas/Turin, one of the saddest stories in the Silmarillion canon.

The Good Earth by Linda Hoyland
Author:
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: Multi-Age
Summary: A series of drabbles written for "xx" challenge featuring the natural world.

Eowyn's Wedding by Armariel
Rating: General
Genre: Poetry
Era: 3rd Age - Post-Ring War
Summary: What the title says.:)

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