Finding this site three years ago was a blessing to me. I am becoming the writer I wanted to be because of what I've learned at Fanstory. I have had stories published (the publishers came to me), won the state contest last year in the short story category, and have been asked to speak at writers groups. Three years ago I couldn't write a grocery list. Marti Hurst

When I first joined FanStory, I was a frequent scribbler, but I had little confidence in the material I was writing. 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"

Without FanStory I simply would not be a writer at all. The feedback and friendships I have made here have changed my entire life. 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 in 2007

Thank you! 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. - Judian James

I just want to say how happy I am to have found this site. I've always wanted to write, but have always struggled with confidence and actually getting things finished. I've been on here most days since I joined 3 weeks ago, and in that time I've written 5 stories, actually finished them and received good feedback. This has boosted my confidence no end, and now that I have started writing, I am finding it really hard to stop! So I just want to say thank you for the site, it's a great idea and it WORKS. - Emma Rainbow

FanStory.com is the greatest source for writers that I have found. I have so many friends with pieces they have written and no place to send it to. The world of print is so limited. Through this on-line community of writing, you can post something and it is read and reviewed by other like-minded people around the world. Thank you for being there for us. - Jean Lutz

I just received my first check for an article I wrote for the July issue of "Wow-women". I wanted to tell that I feel like FanStory is the best thing that ever happened to me in terms of my writing. The way the website is set-up is brilliant. The reviewing process has done more to improve my writing than 20 college-level writing courses. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for creating and running this website for writers. It is truly a blessing. - Tracy Horan

Fanstory is a great writing site that has aided me greatly in my writing skills. The friendly and competitive community of writers has become my online family and has fostered deep friendships. The reviews from published writers has helped me grow as a writer and lead to the publication of my first book. - Stephy Jemmisparks

When I joined this site a little over a year ago, numerous attempts to interest publishers in my writing had failed, and I was disheartened, mainly because no one had pointed out what my writing lacked. It did not take long for this to change after joining FanStory. 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." - Barry W. Metcalf, author of "Nightmare in Alice Springs".

I am a recent "fan" of FanStory.com. I've always felt something deep within me to write. But I thought it was foolish and I was embarrassed to reveal it. Because of this site I've grown. I've overcome my fears as a poet. Now I just say what I feel and mean. Thanks so much! FanStory.com is a wonderful place and you really don't hear of wonderful places anymore. - Troy Pennington

I just wanted to say that I think this site is truly awesome and is a real blessing from God, as I have met so many truly talented and wonderful people on here and the works they all share are fantastic, especially the comments they all leave. They are inspiring, encouraging, supportive and uplifting, even the negative ones. hahaha. Thanks for creating this avenue for people to share their thoughts, views, concepts, talents, giftings, opinions, comments. - Marama Kelly

If it weren't for FanStory.com, I wouldn't be a tenth of the writer I am today. 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

Beginning to write poetry and short stories at the age of thirteen, I strayed from the path of writing until I 'matured' and reached the age of thirty. I had been writing furiously - copying poems, short stories and attempting to write novels, in spiral notebooks here at home. 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..."

I joined Fanstory back in 2004 and sharpened my skills in prose; however, in my bid for recognized status, one of the reviewers observed that my novels were too "episodic." I needed the scriptwriting instruction that I found here at FanStory. 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

Without finding FanStory.com, I don't think my dream of having my book published in print would have been realized. 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 just have to tell you that this site has really been a wonderful blessing to me. I've gotten some great feedback and found other writers to "talk" with and it's just been such a Godsend! 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)

FanStory.com really made me a better writer. When I first joined this site I didn't fully understand how to write a good poem, how to keep a rhythm, or what makes the content good enough to stand on its own as a quality piece of writing. However, through reviews and the will to become better (so I wouldn't get so many bad reviews) I learned more about what poetry is all about and really worked hard to improve. 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.

Thank you! 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. When I found FanStory, I was blessed. 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. - Judian James

Dear FanStory 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

Both my mother and father have recently started using FanStory.com. They are both in their eighties. When I go to their house, they have side by side computers and they are LIVING on FanStory.com. The television is hardly ever on now as it is a distraction from their writing, reviewing, and posting at the site. This I see as a positive. My father has worked on his book for literally decades, never feeling it was worthy of publishing, despite my encouragement. It has been my dream that he would be able to share it with people and receive feedback while he was still living. My mother has had short stories and poems published elsewhere but again, I don't think she ever really realized how much they could touch people, as I don't believe people in our family realize or recognize her gift. At FanStory.com they receive not only helpful editing but encouragement. They cheerfully argue over who gets my time when I come over to assist them in using the site and posting their work. This has done such amazing things for both of their self confidence, enthusiasm etc. About six months ago my Mom became ill. She never seemed to shake it off. She was exhausted, showed little enthusiasm for anything and had both Dad and I worried. She just couldn't seem to get above it. In the last few months she is doing so much better. She has become super active in her church again, and at FanStory. I think the two combined have actually given her a new lease on life, and for that I thank you. (grin) She and Dad have become very competitive. The other day mom's poem started getting alot of activity. She got several five star ratings almost immediatly after posting it. She RAN down the hall to tell him. I haven't seen mom run in years! Thank you FanStory.com. - Zelphiablue

"Your ranking system is fantastic! It's so nice to see how well my writing is doing in every category. The review system is great. It stimulates me to make reviews, allowing to understand better others work and, eventually - mine. I know I have a lot to improve and I found here quite a few persons willing to help me. Which, again, never happened before. I can see from one glimpse everything I need, there is always so much to explore and I have never been bored being here. 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." - LunLun42 Aka Sergiu Funieru

Two years ago I took my first steps to write and I came to Fanstory. Every writer who read my work on this web site offered me painful but useful tools in their critics, and I learned from it. Mostly I learned of humility and acceptance. I want say to Fanstory, "Thank you". My memoir, "Depression Inhabits Me" by Marie Tofipt, is now published.

Since joining this site a year ago, I have met so many talented writers and reviewers who have helped me. On Christmas Eve 2006, I received word that my collection of short stories, "Rural Roots", would be accepted for publication. I have just signed the contract for the first in a ten-book series, and am one step closer to my 'cabin by the river.' This book would never have seen print without the help and expertise of fellow writers on Fanstory. They have helped me clear away the debris of fledgling writing and trimmed and honed it to marketability. Thank you FanStory!

I wanted to let you know that I have found FanStory to be the best place for creativity and mastering one's craft. In a short period of time, I have learned more on this site, than I had in my entire life-time. 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. Thanks again! - Karina J. Belkin

Thank you. I would like to say that this site is absolutely brilliant. Never before have I had the opportunity to have my writing reviewed like this. Whoever the founder of this concept is, kudos. It is awesome. It has been better than any workshop could be. There are some wonderful people in this community and I have enjoyed it and have grown more in the past few weeks than in many years of writing. For a poet to have such a sounding board is a treasure and you have a few truly exceptional people. I am humbled and honored. - Gabriel Andrews

Thank you for your wonderful site. You really have something here. I've learned more in two weeks here, than I have in the last two years. It's a brilliant site and worth every cent! - Janus