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I agree with all the negative reviews of this place. I recently joined and to my dismay, I have spent 73.00 dollars for a year membership and a one time buy of membership dollars that only afforded me to promote to a very low position, two poems. The next day, they had already expired my promotion, despite the fact that it stated it would be up for 2-3 days. Recent reviews, were scathing and non productive, concentrating on childish antics, such as: stating that I used a word incorrectly, small grammatical errors and that words that I tried to rhyme were only slant rhymes and that I used them improperly. None of the reviews offered any positive feedback, only childish tantrums about the above matters, no true insight given, and if replied to in a manner where I would defend my writing, would only get more negative feedback. I was appalled, and further than that, I could not understand how any writer would want to review a poem that only gave them a one point and 2 cents return for their review. I had not promoted the poem for lack of funds. I in turn returned the favor to one of the writers, since I felt that perhaps, by reading his work, I may gather some insight. Well to my surprise I read a poem that had no content, was made up of a bunch of sentences that did not even go together, had no meaning due to the writer's efforts to make it more complicated than it should be. To my amazement, this was a recognized piece of work! The rank of the writer was pretty high up and I wrote exactly what I felt was truthful, just as he had returned the favor to my writing. This is how my review goes:
Do not understand the poem whatsoever, cannot follow, and do not know why it got a recognition. Sorry, just my opinion. Very difficult to follow, like a bunch of thoughts and words just thrown together, left for the reader to decipher whatever the meaning is. Not fair to the reader.
My account was suspended due to this comment with the following message:
Writing a low rating review on an authors work after receiving a rating that you don't agree with is considered a revenge review and a break in the site terms.
In addition, the rules are clear: Only reply to thank a reviewer or to request a clarification. Never attack a review or a reviewer. Do not defend your work here or using the private message system. These rules must be followed. It is for the benefit of you (you will receive honest feedback) and the benefit of reviewers (reviewers do not want to see this type of feedback).
REALLY? THE WRITER IS COMPLETELY OUT OF LINE, DUE TO THE FACT THAT I MUTED HIM, FOR HIS SCATHING AND NEGATIVE REMARKS, NO NEGATIVE FEEDBACK WAS GIVEN TO THIS PERSON EXCEPT THAT I DID NOT AGREE WITH HIS REVIEW PERIOD ... I DO NOT KISS ###... AND CLEARLY I AM NOT ACCEPTING ANY BS FROM THIS SITE. THEY WANT ME TO ADMIT THAT I WROTE THIS IN REVENGE. NO ... GET IT CLEAR...AS I STATED ABOVE IT WAS CLEARLY TO GATHER INSIGHT FROM SOMEONE WHO "PURPORTEDLY IS A HIGH RANKED WRITER" HOGWASH, THE SITE IS A SCAM, GIVING ONLY SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO ARE RANKED HIGHER OR WELL LIKED. EVEN IF THEIR WRITING IS CRAP...
I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH NEGATIVE REVIEWS, JUST HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HOYTOYTIE IDIOTS WHO CLAIM TO BE WRITERS, AND ARE NOT, GIVING STUPID REVIEWS WITHOUT ANY POSITIVE FEEDBACK. ON TOP OF THAT I AM IN TOTAL DISAGREEMENT WITH THIS SITE'S PRACTICES AS FAR AS DRAINING AND BLEEDING MONEY FROM PEOPLE FOR THEIR STUPID AGENDAS. I WILL BE CALL THE FTC AND WILL ALSO REPORT IT AS A SCAM SITE TO THE FBI. I COULD CARE LESS IF THERE ARE A LOT OF POSITIVE REVIEWS OF THE SITE, THAT IS A MINORITY AND POSSIBLY COMPANY GENERATED.
The guy who will not Identify himself, who wrote that last article must be brain dead or perhaps in a coma. I just read through his diatribe on reviews! He cannot put two 2 sentences together with any success! If that is the type of writing his complaint is about and it getting bad reviews, then...what can I say? Get a job because the Art world does not need you, unless you can draw perhaps!
You guy seem to harbor the lowest form of literary lifee
Sorry for the late reply.
I had been a member of FS for several years. The first few reviews I received where too harsh for me, I pulled down my work that same day. Now, years later, I fully understand and agree with the reviews. My work was terrible. My stories were fine, but my writing (my use of English) and my punctuation were just awful. So, critiques were often way too harsh for me, at first, but, I eventually learned to suck-it-up, to take it and use it to mold my writing into something that worked —— something the majority liked. because your never going to please everybody. There's always some joker that just wants to hate on you.
Anyway, I always believed, and still do, that if one cannot find something encouraging about a piece of work, to add to ones critique, one should just forget about critiquing that piece altogether. Over my years at FS, I eventually found that the majority of the readers/reviewers were in fact genuinely encouraging, but not all. Many reviewers have been on FS for years and years and seem to have forgotten the importance of encouragement, especially toward the neophytes. They review it how they see it, straight to the point, blunt as you like. Fanstory reviewing rules says to add encouragement, but some don't.
Learning to except a tough critique can be extremely painful, and some never learn to except it. But, it is a necessary part of the creative process if a writer, painter, sculptor, actor, musician, singer, ever wishes to progress to the pinnacle of his chosen craft. It's crucial to an artists growth to be able to cope with harsh criticism. Sure, some people are just A-holes, however, they become easier to spot after some practice. you eventually find that most readers and most reviews are quite helpful, even if they are harsh. My grammar, my punctuation, my sentence structure and my turn of phrase has improved 100% thanks entirely to the harsh critiques and helpful reviews I received on Fanstory. I may still have a long way to go before I master the craft completely, but at least I'm confident now to submit my work to a publisher. And after all, that is the goal of most writers.
These days, when I get criticism over a piece of my work, I can analyze the information in my head, not in my heart, and I can do it without my emotions getting in the way. I no longer feel anger or bitterness over a harsh review as I once did.
In closing, I agree, Fanstory is not for everyone. Reviews can be tough, even harsh, the fees are too high and the ranking system is not based on the best writing, but on the most reviews. The ranking and reward systems are just a way for FS to generate more income, and that part sucks. But I learned a lot from being on Fanstory, and for that I'm grateful. And, I still have some really great friends that I keep in touch with, all thanks to FS.
I also experienced a lot of heartbreak and anger and bitterness that I had to learn to work through, so I can see your frustration. But, honest reviews, whether harsh or encouraging, can be helpful to a writer. They can help you learn, they can help you grow, they can help you become a better writer. If you can get through the painful crushing. I did that by focusing on the positive and the encouraging reviews.
Cheers.
I agree. I was a member for a while and noticed that there is much favoritism going on. Not to brag, but my poetry is good. I entered a contest and compared mine to the other entries and thought for sure I'd at least get a mention. The winner's poem was something my four year old grandson could have written! It was terrible! I joined Writer's Carnival and will never look back. At Writer's Carnival you meet the best group of people EVER, with wonderful reviews. NEVER a review that is critical or mean. They make you feel like you're part of a writing family. I LOVE it there!
Thank for this information, will check them out
the problem is, there is NO writing forum that will help good poets to showcase their work. My partner and I have been on several, including Fanstory. These are vanity sites with little talent. The talented ones are intimidated, bullied and basically conned by people who invent qualifications (no one with half a brain would believe) and also create false accounts to 'like' their own work in the name of a fictitious other. These sites do not protect the vulnerable, which I believe is a duty of any large organisation, especially in this day and age. What we need is a site for the everyday poet; the ones the majority can understand and who can deliver a good message in a well constructed form. They should be encouraging young talent to learn and be helped by those who take the craft seriously. I am currently writing a daily expose called The Asylum on Forward Poetry. I have taken the comic approach, as all their skullduggery is hardly a life and death situation! I expect my account to be disabled should they see this comment by me. I am also looking to publish an article as a warning to those who are green.
Hi Indie, lulube here. I agree with most of the complaints, especially about contest winners and inconsistent rules but I also know a lot of great poets from this fanstory site. I am a middle of the road poet but know I have bettered my writing skills because of this site. I no longer enter all the contests, nor do I spend any money to post my poem on the first page. The 2 reviews, plus the odd friend's review is fine with me. I know they are honest reviews. There are many reasons why a person feels the need to write, expressing personal feelings, experiences and view points, (etc.). FS is a great place to share your work and hopefully receive helpful reviews and be involved with writers around the world that may end up dear friends. I try to stay away from political involvement on this site and only enter a few contests for the hell of it. To Indie, I must say that you are one-of-a-kind poet that was on FS and although I loved the frankness and bold language, some felt intimidated by your style of writing. You have an electrifying personality and for those that cannot appreciate your humor, that is their loss. It's a live and learn world out there for everyone, but bumping into a little advice that applies to a particular concern, can be heaven sent. Warning - Don't get sucked into site politics or spend money to post your poems on the first page unless money is no object, but do have fun meeting other people who share your writing passion.
lulube
furthermore, the Poet of The Month contests are fixed. The genuinely talented rarely make the top 5. Incidentally, I am not writing this from bitterness, because I am the only poet on the site that requests NO LIKES on my work; only comments. I do not take part in a competition that is not a fair playing field, and neither have I withdrawn because I don't think I'm good enough.
Very well spoken
I entered a lengthy positive review of FanStory on this site a couple days ago and I see it is not on here. Apparently, the positives are not going to be shown. That is very unfortunate as writers who need a practice outlet should use FanStory. I also had other positive things to say, but apparently this site is not interested in showing the positive aspects. Well, I see there are only a handful of negatives. This should be obvious that many people enjoy and use FanStory and it is a great tool if used wisely and if you are not in it for MONEY, but for the love of writing, sharing and getting better at your craft. Do I love and understand all I have seen on there? NO. Most of it is explained in author notes, however and the writing comes from the minds, hearts and REAL experiences of many in many cases. I also offered legitimate avenues where your writing can be contested (not doing it again-no time!). Good luck. Too those of you with open minds and understanding that poetry is an extremely open-minded genre, don't rule it out! I have a B.A. in Education and I recommend it. Also, THIS site never did actually show my accurate number of stars for FanStory, so I wonder who is pushing the button here.
Wendy
Wendy
I tried this website years ago. It was a waste of time then and it is a waste of time now. They are inconsistent with their rules and regulations. It is little to do with writing and more to do with a popularity contest for those who have been complimenting each other's somewhat bland diatribe for years. The regulators rule you in or out depending on how they think their revenue stream is best served. Commercial sites such as this and creative spirits are just in-congruent and should avoid any semblance of rating someone's creativity. I wasted a lot of money trying to move forward on this site and eventually gave up with some success, but overall I realized the site is a failure. This is not for anyone that sincerely wants to hone their skills or even simply write creatively and have others enjoy.
I am fine with FanStory. Being a member since 2011 and learnt a lot, and improved my poetry and Novel writing substantially. FanStory is not perfect but I am a much improved writer because of sound critique received in the beginning which helped shape my writing. Grammar and spelling is important.
I'm fine with Fanstory too. Have been an active member since 2006. Unfortunately, some reviewers do give a one-star review. Usually, they are new. If the writer gets mad and attacks a reviewer, that writer can be removed. The writer can 'mute' that reviewer, however, which stops the reviewer from seeing his work again. Revenge reviews are not allowed, but they are reportable to Tom, in which case it's the reviewer who will be in trouble, not the author.
Fanstory is a vanity URL, not a real writing site. Tom cares about nothing but money and the talentless poets and writers are unable to take a proper literary critique, but revenge reviewing and other cheating tactics are everywhere, including writers having two accounts so they can review themselves. The top poet last year, Gloria, did this and was called out for cheating. The contests are hijacked and people lose it, puffed up by reviews from other amateurs, they go from Fanstory, on into the trap of self publishing their second rate literary efforts. Most of the members are very elderly and have no interest in improving their writing, they just want flattery from their cyber friends. But what is a friend if you are cheating. So much cheating goes on, especially posting the same post more than once. I'd steer clear of FS, it is a gullible trap for people who can't really write. I guess talentless people have to get their kicks from somewhere.
I write for a living, but people at FS are not interested in improving, even from someone that has managed to make money from the craft of writing. And the teachers on this site are also amateurs, and after reading one of their teachers, Panygynt, I advised him that his work was full of passive voice and other literary redundancies, but he made no changes to his work, just keep on adding more passive voice to his writing. And their recognized reviewers give out 'excellent' ratings when the poem is full of errors, (rama devi is one such writer) so it is really the literary blind, leading the blind. But the worst thing is, people build fan bases and then they are stuck in the trap of only giving out reciprocated perfect ratings, whether the work is full of errors or not. When you go to their portfolio and look at their 'commnets' you can scroll down and their is nothing but perfect ratings. So, what is a system like that really worth if everyone is an 'excellent' writer? It makes a mockery of the ratings and therefore, no one is really aware of how bad their work is, or not.
Hello Rebekah. I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for caring about the work and trying to keep it honest. Also thank you for saving me $70.😊
And just an important note, the site mutes you at the drop of a hat, but never returns your money. Poor form by Tom Ens. But being a vanity URL, says it all.
I have to agree with all this. I have just pulled out of FanStory as it is nothing more than a money-making scam. It is inhabited by a bunch of intolerant religious types who will not read your stuff if it hurts their sensitivities.
Their contests are pathetic. There was one recently that asked for 'supernatural-not horror.' Profanities, sex and violence were not allowed. It was not allowed to occur in a church, graveyard or prison. Oh, and it had to include a biological sister. Can anyone make sense of that? There was no take-up but the woman who initiated it was closed to the idea of dropping the restrictions. I got a mental picture of Carrie's mother!
Most of the content is twee third rate poetry which is impossible to critique without being rude, so I did not bother much. Yes, there are a handful of decent people on the site and a few very good writers, but they are very much in the minority.
I wrote a story I was very proud of, a very funny parody of the Four Horsemen, which went down like a lead balloon. Every chapter got good reviews but always just a few from the same 4 or 5 people. At the same time, some pointless, tawdry poem got 30 reviews and more. Hardly encouraging to a new writer.
Take my advice - do not go near this platform. They want your money and don't give a damn about writing,
I have been a FS member twice, and both times, I encountered --and called out-- cheating on the contests. The first time, it was so flagrant and came with a gloating admission by the cheater that I turned him in, and Tom Ens, the owner of the site, had to capitulate to my request that the cheater be stripped of that month's Book of the Month title. (But, prior to the gloating private message, Tom was insisting that there was no votes counted after the 12 midnight deadline...despite the fact that I had watched, with my own eyes, the vote go from a tie at midnight to my competitor's having received one additional vote at 12:07 am. Tom did the gaslighting technique of "Well, there might have been a glitch in the system and it didn't register before midnight, but it was cast before midnight.")
This time, I called out a member who's won (I'm serious) FIVE HUNDRED, SEVENTY-TWO times, one hundred seventy-two in just 2022 alone. Tom deleted my post, even though I never made a specific reference to any person on the site or to the FanStory site, either. All I posted was statistics. Later, in back-and-forth private messages, Tom wrote that I "did nothing wrong" and reinstated the poem. Another week later, though, he deleted it again, citing it was "a break in site terms" though he refused to be more specific. After many additional back-and-forth private messages, Tom Ens stated that he knows the member in question has "daughters who vote for her" but also cited that he "wasn't concerned about it." (Not surprisingly, hundreds of the contests this member "won" were her squeaking by with one or two votes more than the second-place winner. Tom told me no rules had been broken, so there would be no repercussions. The prolific winner --and all her family members who don't ever post writings, by the way; their sole and exclusive purpose on the site is to vote for their mother-- remain on the site, same as always. [Two of the daughters wrote me scathing little private messages about how ashamed of myself I should be. Meanwhile, because I made the matter public, my post --the one Tom Ens deemed had "nothing wrong" with it-- was permanently deleted. The same happened to another entrant on a different contest who also was questioning the incomprehensible number of "wins." And before my post was taken down, Tom Ens also deleted many of the REVIEWS of it that cast aspersions about such a questionable number of wins.
So, the best you'll most likely ever achieve on a FanStory contest is second place. If you don't mind spending a yearly membership fee and oodles and oodles of time and money posting your work, then have at it!
I am presently a member of FS. I am a bit surprised at all the negativity, although I can understand some of it. First, I believe there are some very good writers along all genres and then there are some less talented. Secondly, the review process is up for debate. As a reviewer, subjectivity needs to be limited in its scope and objectivity needs to be the defining element. Thirdly, unless you have a following or are willing to spend (dollars) on promoting your work, then the work gets limited to a review count of two. Often times, these two reviews come from the same two people over and over again. Rather frustrating. Although I have finished first in a few contests, I find that the best or most creative entry rarely wins. FS is a vanity writing site.