HASA Reviewed Stories January 2011

Since the previous Bulletin, 6 stories have been reviewed and there are currently also 10 stories in review. Make an author's day and review a story! New submissions are of course welcome as well!

As I type this, there are 10 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!

Where Fate Leads by Maethril-of-Mirkwood
Rating: General
Genre: Action
Era: 3rd Age - Ring War
Summary: As she stands upon the battlefield, facing the greatest challenge of her life, Eowyn reflects upon who she is and what she fights for.

Memories of Trees by Vaysh
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - Post-Ring War
Summary: After the quest the hobbits rest in Minas Tirith, passing the time with story-telling. One afternoon when Merry talks about Fangorn, he remembers a walk with his grandfather in the Old Forest.

The Healer's Journey by lindahoyland
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: Multi-Age
Summary: Is a great healer like Aragorn born or made?

Impossibly Blue by Virtuella
Rating: General
Genre: General
Era: 3rd Age - Post-Ring War
Summary: Aragorn planted the White Tree of Gondor. Five hundred years later, it receives a very unexpected visitor.

The Promise - A Quintdrabble by Agape4Gondor
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: A tribute to soldiers on this US Veteran's Day.

In the Depths of Winter by Marta
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 3rd Age - Post-Ring War
Summary: Aragorn, as the new king of Gondor and Arnor Reunited, ushered in a new age of peace - and, Gondor quite naturally hoped, the beginnings of a new dynasty. But just because something is expected does not mean it will come easily. (Arwen-centric.)