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".

For three years I've been a writer 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