HASA Reviewed Stories December 2010

Since the previous Bulletin, 3 stories have been reviewed and there are currently also 5 stories in review. Why not make someone’s holiday and review a story between Christmas and the New Year? New submissions are of course welcome as well!

As I type this, there are 5 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 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!


Truth Be Told by Virtuella
Rating: Adult
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - Post-Ring War
Summary: The newly appointed Chronicler of the Mark is faced with unexpected challenges, and painting in colour is the least of them. When he finds that not all is truth that the Eorlingas hold to be true, will his conflict with Eomer end his career? Reason for rating: brief scenes of violence, implie ...


A Father's Duty by Larner
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: Young Bilbo has an encounter with his alarming Took grandfather. A true drabble.


The Last Day Of Autumn by Ygrain
Rating: Adult
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - Ring War
Summary: The last days of Gilraen The Fair, as seen by those around. A side-step from cannon by making Aragorn present; also taking some liberty in the manner of Gilraen's death. Rated adult for safety reasons, dealing with deathbed experience and details of terminal illness.