Sunday, April 10, 2011

HASA Reviewed Stories April 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! New submissions are of course welcome as well!

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!

A Cold Night in June by Agape4Gondor
Rating: General
Genre: Humor
Era: 3rd Age - Ring War
Summary: Faramir's dream has him befuddled.

Gracious Days by Vaysh
Rating: General
Genre: Romance
Era: 3rd Age - Post-Ring War
Summary: Early morning on his fifty-second birthday, Frodo brings Sam a mathom from the Bag End orchards.

A Light of Gold was on the sea by losselen
Rating: General
Genre: Poetry
Era: 1st Age
Summary: Olwë remembers the Trees, and laments the Kinslaying. Poem.

Beneath the Birches by lindahoyland
Rating: General
Genre: Romance
Era: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Summary: A pensive Arwen encounters a stranger. Written for the LOTR GFIC "Hearts and Flowers" challenge. With thanks to Virtuella.

A Yule Journey by Lindariel
Rating: General
Genre: Other
Era: 3rd Age - Ring War
Summary: A gentle mystery in 12 installments. Follow a hobbit's Yule gift as it wends its way from Hobbiton to its final destination and recipient. Can you guess the sender, recipient, and year the story takes place before all is revealed in the end? Familiar characters appearing include Gi ...

Least Expected by Imhiriel
Rating: General
Genre: Drama
Era: 3rd Age - Ring War
Summary: What if Halbarad's first appearance had taken a different turn? Drabble. MEFAwards 2008: 3rd Place – Genres: Alternate Universe: Drabbles

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