Marti Hurst

The feedback I received from FanStory was invaluable in turning me from a writer for my own pleasure into a published author. Other authors took time out from their own work to comment on my work, and my writing improved immeasurably. Reviewers have commented that the books seem to get better as I progress, and I can only attribute that to submission to FanStory, and to giving serious consideration to all the constructive criticism I received from reviewers, many of whom were published authors themselves.

I am now a published author. I finished my first and I now have six books to my credit, with the seventh and final book of the series nearly complete. All of these books have been accepted for publication, and I intend to give FanStory and its members full credit in the dedication page of each novel.

I would recommend the friendly and dedicated community of FanStory to any scribe who wishes to improve as a writer

Alastair J. Archibald, author of "A Mage in the Making"

Honest feedback helped prepare me for the real world. The contests have also helped me, and continue to help me. Writing to a topic, and writing to a deadline, is key. There isn't a more valuable skill than to sit down and write about a subject by a specific date. That's the real world.

Jen Horton
Nominated as the best feature writer in the state of Florida

I'd been writing stories and poems from the age of, oh I would say about twelve. I still remember the first song lyrics I ever wrote. Looking at them now, I cringe.

After reading through the pages of some of the authors' works and the reviews they received on FanStory, I decided to give it a shot. I mean, what did I have to lose? At the very least I would know if I was wasting my time.

I posted my first poem nine months ago. It was a nail biting time to see what FanStory members would think of this newbie. I am usually considered a very shy person with very little confidence in my writing ability, but with FanStory, I could hide behind a mask and be me. The first couple of reviews came in, and I was so afraid to read them. When I did, I was pleasantly surprised. Since then I have never looked back.

I have gained confidence through the wonderful members I have come to know on FanStory. I have even been published since joining this group. I would never have achieved this if it had not been for their support.

There are some great authors on FanStory, and it has been pleasure to read their work. Some of the stories/poems have made me laugh, to the point of rolling on the floor. Others have left a lump in my throat and brought tears to my eyes. So many emotions are written on the pages of FanStory. So many wonderful writers have made me feel humble with their kindness.

I'm so glad I made the decision to join, for if I hadn't, I would have never experienced such friendship, encouragement and helpful criticism.

All in all, I would just like to say a big, thank you, to everyone including the staff here at FanStory for supporting me these last nine months. What a great place to be!

If anyone asked me, "Fan Story, what's that?" I would simply say ... "For me, it's everything."

Malcolm Davey

Thank you!

William T. Moersen

My reviewers have been tough at times, giving me advice on how I should have written a story, colored it, shown and told it, trimmed it and polished it. I have discovered that most of my short stories are about suppressed women who find their inner strength, initiate change and succeed in life. But it doesn't stop there. I have written poetry, lyrics and some animal stories that received great reviews - reviews I would never have seen if I had shared my writing only among my circle of friends and acquaintances.

Reviewers at FanStory.com come from all walks of life, all genres, skill levels from all over the world! Thanks, FanStory, for my personal growth in writing!"

Judy Webb

Today is my one year anniversary with Fan Story. I am a writer. I write because I have to, and I thrive within that need.

I was blessed when I found FanStory. This community embraced me and supported my work. Through the year, many wonderful friendships have developed, and I have several, truly devoted fans. I appreciate and relish constructive criticism, and am grateful to each and every one of you who have helped me on my journey. I have worked very hard and grown enormously as a writer this past year, and I'm thankful to all of you who have unselfishly taken the time to read and review my work.. I admire and respect you for your integrity, honesty, and loyalty.

It was a year to remember, as I look forward to reading more of all your work in the months to come and your wonderful reviews of mine. Thanks so much.

Jay Squires

So I just want to say thank you for the site, it's a great idea and it WORKS.

- Emma Rainbow

My reviews on the site, at first, weren't that great. I resented what I felt were attacks on my work by readers. (What the hell could they know?). But the reviews made sense. I set about editing my writing, making use of these suggestions. Suddenly, and to my surprise, I found my popularity on the site increasing and my ratings rising.

After six months, I completed my first novel ("Nightmare In Alice Springs") and sent the prologue and first chapter to a publisher. Four weeks later, they rang, the excited owner of the publishing house saying she wanted the rights to publish my novel. The book is now in bookstores.

In discussions with my publisher, I have been told what a wonderful job FanStory is doing with authors; she likes the kind things said about her newest author (like when I won the award for Recognized Reviewer or when I am awarded a Seal for one of the book chapters); and she has commented on how 'clean' my writing is compared to most they see, requiring very little editing to prepare it for publication (this is attributed to the skilled reviews offered on the site).

So, without FanStory, my writing would have remained good, but rather ordinary and, although I would have continued writing, most likely would never have been published."

- Troy Pennington

- Marama Kelly

For three years I've been a Premier Author at FanStory - posting stories, novels, articles, poetry; giving reviews and rating material; remaining in personal contact with published novelists; and enjoying the hell out of growing as a writer.

Not only does the community of writers at FanStory support and help one another, they compete in a yearly ranking system. At the end of each year, the top five authors in four categories receive trophies in the mail. Related to competing, each month FanStory holds many writing contests in which the winner receives $100. To top that, there is a Seal Committee that brands top-notch work with a Seal of Quality, the author gaining the status of professional.

But that's not all! Based on a 6-star rating system, constant reviews are given around the clock. And guess what, each month a selected reviewer receives $100! So stop by and give a review or two. Enter a few contests.

- Jason Parker

It wasn't until the year 2005, October to be exact- when I stumbled upon this wonderful writing site through a search engine. I believe I was truly blessed!

I've been writing with FanStory for quite some time now. I usually write on a daily basis, I've recently been published and have sharpened my writing skills to the point of having the ability to execute fine stories and poetry in the 'proper' written form.

FanStory; including the staff and fine writers on the site, have helped immensely. Without this avenue, I would not be where I am today in life; in regards to my writing abilities.

I have learned more about writing here in two and a half years, than I learned in my High School English classes and college combined!

So in short:

FanStory is a great place to write, to BE and to express yourself through writing. This is also a great place for support and friendship in regards to writing and what you write about. I want to thank all the reviewers here as well! Without these reviews, we cannot learn from our mistakes and therefore we move on in positive directions through 'constructive criticism'?

Thanks for allowing me to share my positive experiences with your site. I look forward in continuing ALL my writing endeavors and don't think I'd ever leave this place!

Sincerest thanks and best wishes to all,

Carol Hower-Kelly (Beatlegirl61)
Author of "In HER Life..."

After falling into a rut of writer's block, I recruited a young writer showing lots of potential, (account name Suki "Hanzo" Rayuda) to collaborate on a story. After nearly two years of almost daily effort on the site, we completed an eight-hour miniseries and a full season TV series.

Last summer, we submitted one episode of the miniseries, "Coal Sack," and the pilot episode, "Star Marshal: Vendetta Pt. 1," (competing against 845 other writers) and were placed into the top 10% of entrants. We are very proud to have received positive reviews by some of the TV industry's top professionals.

Thank you, Fanstorians, for your constructive criticism, encouragement and guidance. This wouldn't have happened without you.

Christopher "Technomage" Woods and Emmanuel "Suki Hanzo Rayuda" Harper

I found FanStory.com last year. I received honest opinions on what I wrote and members offered suggestions on how to improve. With the help from others on this site I learned how to write poems that involved rhyming as well as count and meter. This site is simply wonderful and helped me immensely become a much better poet.

In early December, I submitted a sampling of my poems to a large and highly respected publishing house. I received confirmation from the editor of the Acquisitions Department of the publishing house that they had decided that my book "needed to be published". My book ‘Losing Myself" is now in bookstores.

This is the real deal and one of the most professional writing sites I have been involved with since I started writing my poetry. Thanks to everyone here for all the support

- Robbi-Lee McCambridge-Allen, author of "Losing Myself"

I am so thankful that I found it. I've been out of writing for a very long time and this site has motivated me and inspired me. So, thank you very much! :)

- Kathleen (Gremlinsmom)

Had it not been for FanStory.com and the wonderful people I have met on this site, I would have stayed on that mediocre level forever and would have never been able to create something that a publication company would actually want to put into print. I really owe a lot to FanStory.com and will forever be grateful of that.

- David Caudill. David wrote us after he and two other FanStory.com authors signed a book contract with Fidlar-Doubleday and TJMF Publishing in late 2004.

I would like to thank you and your membership for helping me achieve a dream. Not so much one of my own, but one my mother had for me.

I signed onto this site via an advertisement. I posted some of my poetry up and was anxious to see the kinds of reviews I would get outside my fan club. I was docked and knocked for many little issues and I was beaten up for lack of punctuation and clarity.

What I want to say about this site is that it gave me the help and assistance I needed to grow. The opinions of the membership through their reviews became cherished aides to help me improve my writing skills.

My mother is ill and time became paramount to the completion of the book. Upon receiving my first copy, I signed it and I presented it to her. She cried. This site and its members helped me give her something I am quite proud of. I don't consider it perfect yet, but I do feel that the members of this site helped me refine it to much more than words scribed to a page in rhyme.

Thank you very much, for your inspiration, encouragement and hard knocks to help me to improve, but more so for helping me fulfill my dream.

Deborah J. Manley

I learned here, on your site, that feedback is always required for improving quality. But more than that, I understood that the answers to the feedback also matter. And this was an important lesson for me. Thank you very much for everything! I will give FanStory.com five stars anytime."

The ambiance is very cozy. Filled with warmth, brilliant and talented members lend a hand, teach you to be your best, while themselves providing fabulous reading material to learn from.

The staff is exceptionally helpful with everything from A to Z. The site gives everything a writer can dream of to get their work out there to be read and reviewed.

It's great for anyone interested in writing for hobby or professional purposes to help them reach the top of their game.