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How FanStory website works

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Would someone please explain to me, how this site works? I've entered a few contests lately and I'm wondering how winners are decided, etc. I'd be interested in hearing anything and everything about this site from someone knowledgeable. Thanks ever so much.
Kim Hanson

RE: How FanStory website works

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Well, for the site contest, which it looks like you have entered, once the deadline date is reached, FanStory as a super secret committee who votes for the winners in a few days. There decision is final. If you look at the contest page it will explain things.

Then there are member contests. After the deadline is reached for those. A committee (if applicable) will screen it for disqualification of the contest rules, then it will open of voting page, where we the members vote on the entries. After the voting is over, the prize (funny money) is awarded.

The Q&A section under Community has everything you need to know.

PS: You last entre for the first chapter contest needs editing. You still have time.

RE: How FanStory website works

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Thank you so much. Your explanation really helps.

RE: How FanStory website works

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Hi, Kim. Welcome to FanStory - I hope you like it here.

You probably need to spend quite a bit of time on site to get a decent understanding of how it all works, but it is worthwhile and has a unique system of getting your work in front of readers as well as the motivation of numerous contests.

Lancellot's post above does a pretty good job of explaining the basis of contests. I'll add a couple of things...
Site contests are the ones that offer $100 cash prizes and are free to enter. That makes them much more popular and several degrees more difficult to win than member-created and daily challenge ones for which you have to pay an entry fee (in member dollars) and receive prizes (in member dollars)

The latter are also much more transparent in that you can see the voting and even vote for your own entry if you like - this is not frowned upon at all.

One other aspect that may be confusing to newbies is how to promote your work so that it gets higher up the listings and thus gets more reviews. It is great to push it right up to the front page, but this is going to cost you as you need to purchase (or win) MCPs (Member Cent Pumps) to promote.

If you don't promote at all you precious piece will get 2 or 3 reviews and then vanish from the listings. Sine quite a number of reviews are low-value, this is not going to get you far.
Options include:
1. Buying more member dollars with real cash. This is probably not advisable unless you have money to burn, although it would make the site owner very happy indeed.

2. Sweat it out doing hundreds of reviews to earn member dollars. You also have a chance of winning MCPs and occasionally other certificates. In my eyes on extra benefit of reviwing all you can is that you get to see the full range of writing that appears on the site and you are much more likely to get to know the other members - if you follow them they will often follow you back. Think networking.

As I said many (most) reviews are not great. This is the downside in that some members review JUST to earn dollars and promote their own work while others have simply not learnt how to write a good review. If you come across a reviewer who offers worthwhile advice, you should treasure them.

There's much more to learn. You should take some time to read the FAQs (under Community)

Good luck! Have fun!

PS did you know you have full access to EVERYTHING in the portfolios of other members? If you find a writer you like you can scan through their portfolios for everything they've written (although you will get barely a pittance for reviewing older works...

RE: How FanStory website works

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hiya kim!!

i am probably the oldest active member here now (joined 2004)

anyway, we used to have a welcome committee that sent out letters...
that's not a thing anymore, but i still have the letter saved on my computer, so here ya go...

any other questions, just plant the seed here in the forums and someone will come along and water it...



Welcome to FanStory!

There is a lot going on here in our little community and we would like to introduce you to some additional features to help you get acquainted.
By now, you have been introduced to most of the features. We know it can be overwhelming, but we encourage you to explore. At the top of your screen, you will find various headings. Most of them are pull-down menus at the top of the page: There's the MY menu, the SOCIAL menu, and the COMMUNITY menu, which will lead you to the forums, clubs, your profile and portfolio, and other areas on FanStory.

FanStory offers several types of writing contests, and you will see a list of them when you click on "contests". When entering a contest, review the rules carefully and submit your best work. It is always best to post early to a contest.

SITE contests are free to all members and the winner takes home 100 real dollars. The entries are reviewed by a panel of judges whose decision is final.

MEMBER contests are sponsored by your fellow members. Payment is in member dollars, and there is an entry fee (payable in member dollars). The fee builds the "pot" for the winner and are non-refundable. Winners are chosen by popular vote. You can find a link to the voting booths in the Contests menu.

WRITING PROMPTS are presented daily. Entry fee and payment are made in member dollars, build the "pot" for the winner and are non-refundable. Contest winners are chosen by popular vote.

The greatest help and guidance will come from your fellow members. You will be surprised how willing the members of our little community are to help. All of us were new once, and most of us were lucky enough to find mentors along the way.

There are several ways to interact with the membership.

REVIEWING: FanStory Member Dollars are earned by reviewing the work of others. Feel free to ask authors about their technique if it is new to you. Most will be willing to explain. When you review, we suggest you use the sandwich approach. In other words, began with a comment about something you liked before addressing any recommended changes and end with another positive remark.

When you post your work, you will receive reviews from members offering opinions and advice. Always thank your reviewer. While you should not defend your work, you may want to ask a question about the review. Perhaps there are terms that are new to you.

Remember to be courteous when responding to your fellow members. Long-term relationships are often formed here. On the other hand, words written in anger lead to misunderstandings and friendships are ended before they have a chance to begin. Expect critical reviews of your work, for constructive criticism is the way we learn. If anyone responds to your review with a personal attack, do not answer. Report the member to the site by private message and they will handle it. To send a private message to the site, you can find the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of every page - click on it and your message will go to the Help Desk and they will handle the problem.

In the profile of every member, there is a button labeled contact. Use it to send a private message to the member. You may also become a fan of a particular member. If you click on their name, you will be led to their profile and the "Become a Fan" button. You will be notified every time the member posts so that you may review their work. When you acquire fans, they will receive notice of your newly-posted works. The more fans you have, the more reviews you will receive.

THE FORUMS are a great way to meet other members, learn things about the site, and ask any questions you may have. Someone will answer.

FANSTORY CLUBS are another great way to meet members, and also get inspiration for new writings, and learn other poetry forms.

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS:
Your profile has a section inviting you to share Profile Thoughts. Whatever you write there will be posted in a public forum, The Profile Thoughts Forum.
The site uses an acronym for Spelling, Punctuation And Grammar (SPAG.) New members sometimes find the word confusing.

We are sure you can see that as time goes by you will meet more and more people and acquire additional fans. Before you know it, you will no longer be a newbie, you will be one of the gang.

Good luck to you. We love it here and we are sure you will too.