Questions and Answers
General Questions
What is a recognized work?
Most writing never makes it past the available release page. A poem, for example, is placed on the available release page when it is submitted. This is the "Review Period". The readers hold the precious stars that determine if this poem will have life. That "life" is "recognized". Recognized means it will appear on all the appropriate listings and also the site search engine.
A story, poem, script or book chapter is considered for this status after it has received fifteen reviews. Once eligible, it is considered at the end of the day.
When recognized, the work is moved onto the category listings and the ribbon shown here is displayed by the work in the author's profile. The author will be notified by a private message.
The site picks stories, poems and books by looking at the ratings and the members that commented.
Most writing never makes it past the available release page. A poem, for example, is placed on the available release page when it is submitted. This is the "Review Period". The readers hold the precious stars that determine if this poem will have life. That "life" is "recognized". Recognized means it will appear on all the appropriate listings and also the site search engine.
A story, poem, script or book chapter is considered for this status after it has received fifteen reviews. Once eligible, it is considered at the end of the day.
When recognized, the work is moved onto the category listings and the ribbon shown here is displayed by the work in the author's profile. The author will be notified by a private message.
The site picks stories, poems and books by looking at the ratings and the members that commented.
How many stars should I give something I read?
Writers are generally interested in improving their skills and impressing the audience. You, as a reader, should try to write an unbiased review of the work. You are encouraged to be critical. Always state what you liked and did not like (state both). Compare the writing to the top authors you have read when making a judgement of how many stars to award.
The site offers a six star scale for ranking work. Here's a guideline:
When writing a review we encourage you to give feedback to the author. For a story or book chapter try telling the author both what you liked and what you didn't like. If there was a section of the story where you found your interest wandering? Did the story grab your interest? Was the dialogue believable? Did the characters seem real? Would you recommend it to someone else?
For poems you can tell the author how you thought it flowed. Did the rhymes seem forced? Did the structure make sense? Did it draw on your emotions? Did it present strong images? Would you recommend it to someone else?
Most of all, be honest. Look at the rating guideline (above) one more time. Don't be afraid to be honest but also sensitive to the writer. That's why we suggest that you point out what worked and what did not work while keeping the rating honest.
Writers are generally interested in improving their skills and impressing the audience. You, as a reader, should try to write an unbiased review of the work. You are encouraged to be critical. Always state what you liked and did not like (state both). Compare the writing to the top authors you have read when making a judgement of how many stars to award.
The site offers a six star scale for ranking work. Here's a guideline:
 | Six Stars (Exceptional: Simply Outstanding) |
| Five Stars (Excellent: Enjoyable and no revisions needed) |
| Four Stars (Good: Adjustments needed) |
| Three Stars (Below average) |
| Two Stars (Below Average: Needs lots of work) |
| One Star (Poor: Major revision required) |
When writing a review we encourage you to give feedback to the author. For a story or book chapter try telling the author both what you liked and what you didn't like. If there was a section of the story where you found your interest wandering? Did the story grab your interest? Was the dialogue believable? Did the characters seem real? Would you recommend it to someone else?
For poems you can tell the author how you thought it flowed. Did the rhymes seem forced? Did the structure make sense? Did it draw on your emotions? Did it present strong images? Would you recommend it to someone else?
Most of all, be honest. Look at the rating guideline (above) one more time. Don't be afraid to be honest but also sensitive to the writer. That's why we suggest that you point out what worked and what did not work while keeping the rating honest.
What is a "Six Star"
Writers on FanStory.com can rate a work with six stars. Six stars are reserved for exceptional writing. Each week you have six "Six Stars" that can be used.
The "Six Star" rating is reserved for exceptional work. If a work maintains a rating that averages over "Five Stars" the work will be shown with a Five Star plus rating (shown to the right).
Any poem on a mug! Choose your mug here.
Writers on FanStory.com can rate a work with six stars. Six stars are reserved for exceptional writing. Each week you have six "Six Stars" that can be used.
The "Six Star" rating is reserved for exceptional work. If a work maintains a rating that averages over "Five Stars" the work will be shown with a Five Star plus rating (shown to the right).
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How do I become a ranked reviewer?
At FanStory.com every qualifying reviewer is ranked. The top five reviewers are recognized with special icons. To become a reviewer you just need to write comments and earn points which are used to calculate your rank.
A three month rolling window is used so all members - even new ones - have a chance for the top spot.
Top reviewer signature icons.
The next question, What are blue stars and levels?, contains additional information on points and reviewing.
At FanStory.com every qualifying reviewer is ranked. The top five reviewers are recognized with special icons. To become a reviewer you just need to write comments and earn points which are used to calculate your rank.
A three month rolling window is used so all members - even new ones - have a chance for the top spot.
Top reviewer signature icons.
 | The hawk awarded to the fifth ranked reviewer |
 | The owl awarded to the fourth ranked reviewer |
 | The raven awarded to the third ranked reviewer |
 | The bat awarded to the second ranked reviewer |
 | The #1 ranked reviewer Grim Reaper |
The next question, What are blue stars and levels?, contains additional information on points and reviewing.
What are certificates and how do I use them?
First, let's look at the base question.
What Are Certificates
Certificates are used to encourage FanStory reviewers to review your work. The first certificate you will place on your work is called a "Base Certificate". A base certificate places your writing on the available release page. It also offers a base amount of member cents and points to reviewers.
That leads to the question: what are member cents? They are the FanStory currency that is used to buy these certificates. So if you write reviews you can earn member cents. You can use those member cents to buy a certificate for your own post.
The available release page is sorted by member cents rewarded. The works that offer the most member cents to reviewers are listed higher on the page. So the work rewarding the most amount of member cents is in the first position. The work that is offering the next most is listed second - and so on.
Now your base certificate does reward member cents. But not much. So you will likely want to reward more. To reward more member cents you use a "Member Cent Pump Certificate" This certificate simply increases the amount of member cents your work rewards. Each use will normally move it higher up the listing bringing it to the attention of more readers.
That's really all there is to it. First, add a base certificate, next use bonus certificates (normally the member cent pump) to raise that position to a level where it will receive notice.
And how do I use them?
First, get one with member dollars. Write reviews to earn member dollars or buy them here.
Next, use the certificate. Simply view your story, poem or book chapter and click the "Promote It" button on that page. It looks like this:
.
Click here for a full listing of certificates.
First, let's look at the base question.
What Are Certificates
Certificates are used to encourage FanStory reviewers to review your work. The first certificate you will place on your work is called a "Base Certificate". A base certificate places your writing on the available release page. It also offers a base amount of member cents and points to reviewers.
That leads to the question: what are member cents? They are the FanStory currency that is used to buy these certificates. So if you write reviews you can earn member cents. You can use those member cents to buy a certificate for your own post.
The available release page is sorted by member cents rewarded. The works that offer the most member cents to reviewers are listed higher on the page. So the work rewarding the most amount of member cents is in the first position. The work that is offering the next most is listed second - and so on.
Now your base certificate does reward member cents. But not much. So you will likely want to reward more. To reward more member cents you use a "Member Cent Pump Certificate" This certificate simply increases the amount of member cents your work rewards. Each use will normally move it higher up the listing bringing it to the attention of more readers.
That's really all there is to it. First, add a base certificate, next use bonus certificates (normally the member cent pump) to raise that position to a level where it will receive notice.
And how do I use them?
First, get one with member dollars. Write reviews to earn member dollars or buy them here.
Next, use the certificate. Simply view your story, poem or book chapter and click the "Promote It" button on that page. It looks like this:
.
Click here for a full listing of certificates.
What is FanStory Registered Copyright?
For any FanStory post an author can receive a registered copyright certificate identifying the author as the copyright owner of the work. In addition, FanStory provides date and time stamp protection as well as other means to secure the copyright personally to the author. The FanStory copyright symbol
demonstrates that this protection is in place. This feature does not register writing with the U.S. Copyright Office or any other countries copyright office.
For any FanStory post an author can receive a registered copyright certificate identifying the author as the copyright owner of the work. In addition, FanStory provides date and time stamp protection as well as other means to secure the copyright personally to the author. The FanStory copyright symbol
demonstrates that this protection is in place. This feature does not register writing with the U.S. Copyright Office or any other countries copyright office.
How is writing recognized?
| Your Rating |
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Your Rank |
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| Recognized |
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All Time Best  |
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Seal of Quality  |
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What is a professional level author?
To become professional level author on FanStory you must earn one FanStory.com Seal of Quality.
To request a seal you should:
Regardless of the outcome the committee will send you a private message with comments about the work. The committee is made up of accomplished authors on the site and published authors.
Authors that have earned a seal have a quill added to their signature and profile showing that they have reached the professional level.
An author with an upgraded account can set the price to charge for a story or book. If a reader purchases the book or story the authors account will contain 80% of the funds made. The reader will have a copy of the story/book in his/her bookcase.
For every seal that you earn your level will be upgraded. For example, if one book contains a seal you will be a "Level 1" professional level author.
To become professional level author on FanStory you must earn one FanStory.com Seal of Quality.
To request a seal you should:
- Post a story. Post a book. Or create a book of poems. To create a book from existing work in your portfolio choose the "Post" menu above and "Create A New Book" option from the "Post a Book" menu item. Next, locate each post you want to add to your book in your portfolio and click the "Add To A Book" button.
- Use the seal request certificate to request a review by the committee.
Regardless of the outcome the committee will send you a private message with comments about the work. The committee is made up of accomplished authors on the site and published authors.
Authors that have earned a seal have a quill added to their signature and profile showing that they have reached the professional level.An author with an upgraded account can set the price to charge for a story or book. If a reader purchases the book or story the authors account will contain 80% of the funds made. The reader will have a copy of the story/book in his/her bookcase.
For every seal that you earn your level will be upgraded. For example, if one book contains a seal you will be a "Level 1" professional level author.
How do I become a ranked author or poet?
The site ranks all writers. The rank is primarily based on the ratings of the writers work. On FanStory.com every qualifying author and poet is ranked. The top five poets and authors receive special recognition.
To be ranked, an author needs to write, six short stories, six scripts, six poems or six book chapters that do well. Rank is primarily determined by looking at the authors overall rating (based on the reviews on his or her work). How well an authors writing is received is also considered. For this the site looks at the number of reviews an author's writing is receiving although the primary factor is the quality of the ratings with six stars being an important part of the rankings.
At the end of the year the top five ranked authors of short works, writers of novels, and poets are rewarded specially engraved plaques based on their position for the year. One way for an author to measure his or her skills is to compare their placement on the listings to other authors.
The Top five poets signature icons
Top Authors of Short Works signature icons.
Top Authors of Novels signature icons.
Top Ranked Poet Listing | Top Ranked Author Listing (short works) | Top Ranked Novel Listing
For details on your ranking check your status page.
 The final top five ranked writers from each of the four rankings for this year will receive this customized plaque. |
To be ranked, an author needs to write, six short stories, six scripts, six poems or six book chapters that do well. Rank is primarily determined by looking at the authors overall rating (based on the reviews on his or her work). How well an authors writing is received is also considered. For this the site looks at the number of reviews an author's writing is receiving although the primary factor is the quality of the ratings with six stars being an important part of the rankings.
At the end of the year the top five ranked authors of short works, writers of novels, and poets are rewarded specially engraved plaques based on their position for the year. One way for an author to measure his or her skills is to compare their placement on the listings to other authors.
The Top five poets signature icons
 | The Panda Bear goes to the fifth ranked poet |
 | The bear awarded to the fourth ranked poet |
 | The third ranked poet bear |
 | The second ranked poet bear |
 | The #1 ranked poet Polar Bear |
Top Authors of Short Works signature icons.
 | The Panther awarded to the fifth ranked author |
 | The Tiger awarded to the fourth ranked author |
 | The Cougar awarded to the third ranked author |
 | The Lion awarded to the second ranked author |
 | The #1 ranked author lion |
Top Authors of Novels signature icons.
 | The dog awarded to the fifth ranked author |
 | The Labrador retriever awarded to the fourth ranked author |
 | The Bulldog awarded to the third ranked author |
 | The German Shepard awarded to the second ranked author |
 | The #1 ranked novelist |
Top Ranked Poet Listing | Top Ranked Author Listing (short works) | Top Ranked Novel Listing
For details on your ranking check your status page.
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