Sunday, January 13, 2013

HASA News January 2013

Hobbit Story Pledge Challenge

The Hobbit Story Pledge Challenge is almost midway, so there is still plenty of time to make a pledge or read the entries so far. Come and join us in the forum. You can find the rules for the Challenge and enter a story here.

Reviewed Stories January 2013

Since the previous Bulletin, 2 stories passed through review while there are currently 10 stories waiting for reviewers. Make an author's day and review a story!

Member participation is crucial for reviews. The more people are involved in reviewing, the more different opinions are represented. Having more people involved also 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, please 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 be, 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!

The Celeblas by Archeress
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - Post-Ring War
Summary: Two people, One meeting, leads to finding… an heir hidden away.

In need of a wife by Linda Hoyland
Rating: General
Genre: Romance
Era: 3rd Age – The Steward
Summary: Aragorn walks beneath the Birches.

Make an author's day, review a story or post a comment.

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