Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Play with Playlists!

Playlists have been a part of HASA for a few years, and with the new design are easier to use than ever before.

What is a playlist?

Playlists are lists of HASA stories put together by authors andreaders, just as music lovers put together lists of their favorite songs.

Examples:

  • Stories in a series put in reading order.
  • A collection of similarly themed stories, such as Hobbit romance or critical essays on Men.
  • A reader's "favorites" list, complete with explanations of why the reader likes them so much.
  • A collection of stories by multiple authors.

What is in a Playlist?

There are two parts to a playlist:

  1. The list itself. This is a name and a short description of what the list is presenting.
  2. List items. These are links to stories that have been added to the list, plus a short description of why that story has been added. It can be as long or as short as you want.

Once stories have been added and given a description, you can set an order to them, just like ordering chapters in a story.

Why would I want to create a playlist?

Lots of reasons!

  • You are an author and want to promote your stories. A playlist helps with this:
    • Updated playlists appear on the home page of HASA.
    • Playlists can put your stories in chronological reading order, which makes it easier for readers to follow along.
    • Playlists let you write extra commentary about your stories in the overview and individual story descriptions.
  • You are a reader who follows an author or likes a particular genre of stories.
    • A playlist can put together a set of her works in the order you like reading them.
    • It's an easy URL to send to friends to get them hooked on this author, too.
    • You can collect a set of stories together that you might not be able to create a saved search for, such as dramas by these four authors that always have Faramir and Aragorn in them.
  • You are a reader with a huge number of favorite stories on HASA.
    • A playlist helps you organize that large list into more manageable chunks.
    • Stories you like but aren't actively reading can be safely stored for easy retrieval.
    • You can use the playlist overview and story overview areas to go into detail about why you recommend this story to other readers.
  • You are part of a workshop.
    • If you are authors jointly writing stories, you can create a multi-author story list complete with commentary on how they are combined.
    • You are authors who don't write joint stories, but have similar themes and want to combine your works.
    • You have a set of challenge stories to put into a playlist.
    • You want to build a set of research articles or critical essays.
  • Some reason we haven't thought of yet.

Playlists are handy ways to put big sets of stories together, including commentary on why they are in the list, for very little effort.

Want to learn more about playlists and how to create and collect them? Visit the Playlists FAQs on HASA.

Give them a try!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Site Hosting donations needed for December and January

Hi all,

http://www.henneth-annun.net/index.cfm

If you haven't seen the New HASA, please visit and check out the new and redesigned features and navigation, and please consider making a donation for site hosting. HASA is an ad-free, fee-free Web site, run for the enjoyment of quality JRRT fanfiction. Our monthly hosting costs are $150 US. This pays for the dedicated server HASA needs to provide the features and fun visitors love - stories, comments, forums, alerts, challenges and more. Every penny donated to HASA goes directly to paying the hosting costs.

Donations will get combined with matching funds, so currently we need donations totalling $25 for December and $75 for January. If you do not have spare change for hosting, please be sure to donate some time to the site. Review a story, post a comment, join a discussion, share a tale, create a playlist, and help make HASA a great place to visit.

Julie

Thursday, December 24, 2009

HASA is back online

HASA is back online a little earlier than expected: http://www.henneth-annun.net

  • If you are using an older browser (IE6, Firefox 2.x, Opera earlier than 9.8, etc.) you need to upgrade for the best view of the site. HASA is usable, but not very nice under older browsers.

  • The site has been reorganized. Please take time to study the new navigation menus and choices and see if you can locate the page you're looking for if you don't see it right away.

  • You will have to log in again to the new site. Passwords saved by your browser probably will not work.

  • A great deal of database work has been performed in the last 48 hours. Some settings have been reset to default values and you may need to restore your customizations.

  • Check your profile. Everyone has been upgraded to full member (no more Readers/Authors) and all members now have an author record. Members can now list state/province and city if desired, and they can add URLS to multiple websites they own.

  • If you have stories, take a look at them. Very old stories may have lost their paragraph and line breaks.

  • If you have Challenge entries, make sure they are all still there. Challenges are now all public, all the time, and some old settings may keep your entries from showing.

  • My Library not only shows bookmarked stories, bookmarked authors, and all alerts, you can now save searches and manage comments you make to authors.

  • Alerts & Favorites under My Stuff will now show you who has you and your stories saved as favorites, as well as showing alerts and comments. You can manage subscribers to your alerts, too.

  • Readers now have a Readers Toolbox on story pages to help manage bookmarks, playlists, alerts, recommendations and so forth.

  • Authors have more story management tools.

  • The forum thread for recording bug reports is:
    http://www.henneth-annun.net/forums/threads.cfm?confid=0&forumid=906

Happy Reading!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

HASA Reviews December 2009

20 reviewed stories since the November bulletin, and 3 stories currently in review...

Welcome to the December reviews bulletin.

Reviews are an important part of the site: there are the authors who sit waiting with baited breath and fraying nerves, and there are our intrepid reviewers to think of. So before looking at the stories: Thank you all for your work, authors and reviewers alike!

Stories in review
As I type this, there are 3 stories waiting for reviewers (remember to log in before you follow the link).

Of course, member participation is crucial for reviews. The more people are involved in reviewing, the more 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?

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.

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. Put more simply: put one in, take one out...

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

Anadûnai by Darth Fingon
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 2nd Age - Pre-Rings
Summary: 163 years after their parting in Middle-earth, Elrond travels to Númenor to see his brother again.


The Journal of Fingolfin by JDE
Rating: Adult
Genre: Romance
Era: 1st Age
Summary: The High-King of the Noldor Exiles, Fingolfin, tells the story of the Noldor, and the story of his family. The self-deprecating King reminiscences about his family, his half-brother and the complex relationship they shared. He watches his children, niece and nephews turn from spoilt princes and princesses into leaders of maturity and wisdom. Grief, pride, regrets, determination, courage and an all-encompassing love for his family characterise his narrative as he sketches his tumultuous life in his journal. Warnings: AU. Incest. Homosexual content(mild). Heterosexual content(mild).Adult. Part One of The Song of Sunset AU


Threnody for the Dispossessed by kenaz
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 4th Age
Summary: When the Valar recall Maglor to Valinor to plead for clemency, it falls to his reluctant rival to find him. Mild slash content.


Prisoners of Conscience by JDE
Rating: Adult
Genre: Romance
Era: Akallabêth/Last Alliance
Summary: "And it came to pass that Tar-Palantir grew weary of grief and died. He had no son, but a daughter only, whom he named Míriel in the Elven-tongue; and to her now by right and the laws of the Númenóreans came the sceptre. But Pharazôn took her to wife against her will, doing evil in this and evil also in that the laws of Númenor did not permit the marriage, even in the royal house, of those more nearly akin than cousins in the second degree. And when they were wedded, he seized the sceptre into his own hand, taking the title of Ar-Pharazôn (Tar-Calion in the Elven-tongue); and the name of his queen he changed to Ar-Zimraphel." AU, romance, mild heterosexual content.


After Sirion by toastedcheese
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 1st Age
Summary: After the Third Kinslaying, two pairs of brothers struggle to repair their broken families.


The Bearing of Burdens by Larner
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - Post-Ring War
Summary: Faramir, Prince of Ithilien and Steward of Gondor, learns how burdens can be lightened in an interview with Samwise Gamgee.


Yavanna's Gift by lindahoyland
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: Bell Gamgee and her daughters find help from an unexpected source in their hour of need. With grateful thanks to Raksha and Virtuella.


While We Live by JDE
Rating: Adult
Genre: Romance
Era: Akallabêth/Last Alliance
Summary: "The King yielded to Sauron and felled the White Tree, and turned then wholly away from the allegiance of his fathers. But Sauron caused to be built upon the hill in the midst of the city of the Númenóreans, Armenelos the Golden, a mighty temple." AU, heterosexual content, romance.


The Houseless by Jael
Rating: General
Genre: Other
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: On a day in late autumn, Legolas has a strange encounter with a girl in the woods. A tale for Halloween.


Fired Anew by Larner
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: Other
Summary: At the End of All Things, it has been said that in order for Morgoth to be defeated anew the Silmarils and their maker must come together and unite. And how would Nerdanel feel in those last moments as her husband and sons emerge from the Halls of Mandos? Will she greet him or spurn him?


Looking For Dragons
by Raksha

Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: Gandalf makes a new friend, in an unanticipated and fruitful meeting.


King of Shadowed Halls by Jael
Rating: Adult
Genre: Drama
Era: 3rd Age - The Kings
Summary: As a shadow falls upon Greenwood the Great, Thranduil takes steps to protect his people. The building of the underground fortress casts his personal life into shadow as well. Will he lose that which is most dear to him in an attempt to save it? Drama/Angst. Thranduil; Galion; OFC. Rated Mature for mildly graphic sexual activity between a married couple.


Refraction by Darth Fingon
Rating: Adult
Genre: Romance
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: After an unexpected turn for the worse, Legolas finds himself having to repay a debt he never knew existed. Slash.Written as part of a fiction swap.


Will Overruled By Fate by oshun
Rating: Adult
Genre: Romance
Era: 4th Age
Summary: Haldir meets Beleg in Valinor and each comes to terms with his past. Slash. A Lord of the Rings-Silmarillion crossover. Response to a prompt: " . . . an encounter between an Elf recently released from the Halls of Mandos and an Elf who has recently come to Valinor from Middle-earth. . . . struggling to acclimate themselves to a new place and time, and trying to relate to each other . . . . love to see Haldir meet Beleg."


Anemone by Armariel
Rating: General
Genre: Romance
Era: 4th Age
Summary: In the Blessed Realm, Frodo meets a mysterious and enchanting little creature from the sea. Could it be true love at last? Non-slash.


Hindsight by Russandol
Rating: Adult
Genre: General
Era: 1st Age
Summary: Maedhros remembers his captivity in Angband. Warnings: torture and rape. Thanks to JDE, most patient of beta readers, and to the Lizard Council.


We Three Kings by Jael
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: Other
Summary: Set in the 'Not Fade Away' story-verse, a tale for the holiday season. One night in winter, Thranduil and two companions are forced to take shelter in a stable.


Reach For The Stars by Raksha
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: What can Eärendil give the son who he can see but not touch? Find out, as the Mariner looks in on two special stargazers.


The Shadow of the Past by lindahoyland
Rating: General
Genre: v
Era: 3rd Age - Post-Ring War
Summary: The dead have no power over the living,or do they? Somewhat AU


A Dangerous Hunger by IgnobleBard
Rating: Adult
Genre: Other
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: Haldir's encounter with an Easterling leads to an unexpected attraction. - AU, Slash

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

HASA news - December 2009

The December news focuses on Birthdays, Reviews, Resources and Challenges.


Birthday Cards

If it’s your birthday in December, and you would like a drabble about your favourite character or topic? You can request it here.

Not sure what the birthday cards are about? Have a look at the stories written for previous requests.


Reviews

You’ll find a list of stories in review at the top of the members home page. If you are an active reviewer, log in to see the 2 new stories that are waiting for reviewers.

Or, if you are not yet a reviewer, why not sign up to become one? Reviewing is not nearly as daunting as it may seem, and you're eligible if you've been a member of HASA for thirty days or more.

Member participation is crucial for reviews. The more people are involved in the review process, the more opinions will be represented. Just as importantly, having more people involved means that stories pass through review more quickly - which is good for everyone.

By submitting a story for review, you are asking nine other members to read and evaluate it. So why not do unto other authors in reviews as you'd like other reviewers to do unto you: check out one of the stories already in review and give it a read. Put more simply: put one in, take one out


Challenges and Nuzgul

Click here for the Challenges homepage.

If you have an idea that you'd like at least five people take on, grab that nuzgul by the scruff of the neck (mind the teeth!) and see if you can get four others to make it a Challenge. Prospective Challenges can be found here

There are currently no open Challenges (except Birthdays), so if you have any spare Nuzgul lying around, don’t hesitate to see how many others it can bite!


Resources

The HASA Research Library is a very useful resource for writers as well as for online discussions on book canon. You can find entries on characters, settings, events, and items, containing cited quotes about the item you are trying to find more information on. This portion of the site is available here.

Would you like to get involved with Resources? If you like researching and want to help develop this section of HASA you can contact the Resources & Research Library through the contact form at http://www.henneth-annun.net/about/contact.cfm.

Some recent articles in Resources:

Timeline Events:
Eluréd and Elurín born in Ossiriand
Fëanor creates the Silmarils

Character Biographies
Bëor the Old
Elurín

Places
Nennin
Celebros

Things
Gift of the Elf-minstrels
Doom of the Noldor

Good luck researching your story! If you enjoy this section of the site, why not tell the researchers (they’re listed at the bottom of every entry).


November Stories

All of us writers love feedback. It is the lembas and miruvor that sustains us as we write our story, and leaving a few words about a story you read is always a nice thing to do, whether the story is new or old.

Every fifteen minutes HASA highlights a story chosen at random from the Reviewed and General stories in the archive. Read the currently featured story on our front page.

Many talented writers are publishing every day. In November:

--- 20 Reviewed Stories were published or updated.
--- 32 General Stories were published or updated.
--- 1 Beta Story was published or updated.
(Please note, you need to be logged in to view beta stories.)

Thank you for reading at HASA. Enjoy!

- -
Nath