• Too Little, Too Late: Energy

    Too Little, Too Late: Energy

    a Volcano in England on the Verge of Eruption
    from 5 reviews.
    Commentary and Philosophy  Non-Fiction

  • An Absence Is Announced-Part III

    An Absence Is Announced-Part III

    The Day Draws To A Close
    from 12 reviews.
    Horror and Thriller  Script

  • The Half-Way House

    The Half-Way House

    '80 words without... ?' for the contest
    from 19 reviews.
    War and History  Flash Fiction


Katherine M. Kean: 12th August. Update to 'Too Little, Too Late: Water' written on 10th Aug. A state of drought has just been officially declared for a massive swathe of England, from the South to the Midlands. BUT the hosepipe bans are not yet announced, and are only 'planned for some time in the next few weeks'.
    Malcolm Rothery: 1976 was a lot worse, but when it started to rain it did not stop for 6 weeks. I expect the same in the near future. -


Katherine M. Kean: 10th August: We are in mourning again here. A brilliant and much-loved British author and illustrator died this morning, Raymond Briggs (and I'm not allowed enough posts to cover everything I need to, so there will be no tribute). If you're not familiar with his work, please google him. I promise you won't be disappointed. He was a truly great man. K
    Debi Pick Marquette : Katharine, I wasn't here to know this man, but I know how much I love most all of you here and would be devastated not to have you in my life any longer. So you have my sympathy my friend and may you and others find peace in the memories he has left behind for you. w love, Debi -
    Katherine M. Kean: Debi. I wrote this badly in my sorrow. Here = Britain, not FS. He was a real author recognised as such by several prestigious awards and The Queen, not a Fanstorian recognized by a golden star. He was best-known for his children's book without words The Snowman, which has defined Christmas to the British for over 40 years. However, he and his wife made a difficult personal decision not to have children of their own, he is the best wordsmith I have ever had the priviledge to know, and he disliked snow and Christmas. Life is ironic, as he would say. -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: Harry Potter Nourishes Me finished first in the contest "Harry Potter's Birthday 2022"
    Katherine M. Kean: Thank you to everyone who voted in this contest to support all the entrants. Kate xx -
    Fleedleflump: I'm so glad you won this - there were several good entries, but yours was the most moving from a writer's and reader's perspective. -
    karenina: Hurrah! Life is good when things go as I wish!

    Congratulations...

    From me and Max and Em! -
    Katherine M. Kean: Thanks dear ones. I didn't think the best one won, but that's opinion. K -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: Congratulations! Winner of the reviewing contest!
    Katherine M. Kean: I am always honoured by all those who vote for me, but especially that you were so numerous this month. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. This is my first award on FS but it has always been the one I value the most. A writer cannot write if he doesn't read profusely and careful feedback on what we read is the most important thing we can offer. I am grateful to you all (and you know who you are) for this wonderful feedback and validation for the reviews I wrote during July. Please cast your votes elsewhere in August, even though I will try to continue to slough off barnacles, and not draw blood or write candyfloss. Kate xx -
    karenina: Oh, joy! I am super thrilled you've received this recognition, Kate! Your reviews are always insightful and helpful ~~and delivered most respectfully and kindly! Congratulations!

    Karenina -
    Pam Lonsdale: Congratulations! I always look forward to reading your reviews. -
    Fleedleflump: Huge congratulations, Kate - thoroughly deserved :-). -


Katherine M. Kean: authorhouse are crooks! They promise a free guide to publishing, but don't deliver. All they want is your phone number to harass you. When I said there was no point talking until I had read their guide and had questions, the response was. Quote: you won't talk, we will tell you. (For half an hour, you've got to be kidding me). It took two weeks of being phoned up every day before they realised I was serious in my refusal to talk until I got the guide. I'm still waiting for it to arrive.
    Jannypan (Jan) : IF they call again, answer with "Pizza Hut (or some food place in the UK), how may I help you?" -
    Brett Matthew West: So many spammers out there everywhere one looks. So glad I allow an answer machine to screen my calls. -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: I Burned My Fingers Today finished third in the contest "Touché cliché "
    Katherine M. Kean: Thank you to everyone who voted for this poem, making this result possible. This was a particularly important and meaningful contest to me. Kate xx -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: Feeding Frenzy finished second in the contest "In Praise of Tapas"


Katherine M. Kean: Being overwhelmed and exhausted once more, I am regretfully going to have to prune yet again, and cast aside all those who don't review my attempts to write. I do believe that constructive criticism is a two-way road, and I find the silence of some of you oppressive. Sorry. Kate xx
    Jannypan (Jan) : I understand, Katherine. Take care of YOU. Best wishes. -
    Carlos' girl: How do you know whether or not any particular writer chooses to not read your work? I continue to write though many people have never read my work. What difference does it make? Take your toys and go home lol -
    GARY MACLEAN: Way to go Katherine. I feel the same way. I review, you review, we all review and offer feedback. That's what this place is all about. I've just never heard anyone say it before. WTG. -
    Malcolm Rothery: Put yourself first Katherine, and get healthy. I do think that FanStory's insistence on a review having 250, or however many characters, should be dropped. Sometimes only a few words are needed but this is not allowed. -
    Tina Crute: This makes me sad because I have felt that way at times, but there are the nicest people are on here that do reciprocate and review. (I was gone for a long while and am rusty, but I will review your work, if you don't mind my amateur thoughts,lol!) -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: I'm Often Alone But Never Lonely finished first in the contest "Mental Health Awareness Week "
    Katherine M. Kean: Thank you to everyone who voted for my story and made this result possible, but especially thank you to everyone who entered the contest. the response was much greater than I was expecting, and your entries were all of an astonishingly high quality. You should all be proud of yourselves for revealing so much of your inner pain or putting out a helping hand to others. Please continue to write/read about this important subject. Kate xx -
    karenina: A huge personal thank you to YOU, Katherine!

    You throughout your April challenge and by sponsoring this contest you have provided an invaluable forum for so many to share their experiences!

    Congratulations! -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: When Life Was Mere Existence finished third in the contest "NaPoWriMo (April poem/day) Contest!"
    karenina: Congratulations!

    I'm so proud of you! -
    Katherine M. Kean: Thank you to everyone who had confidence in me. April was really difficult, and I am immesurably grateful for your support. I couldn't have finished the book without you. Kate xx -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: The Contest That Never Was finished first in the contest "Christian Science Fair"


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: Egg and Nut Salad, Please finished second in the contest "Make Us Smile"


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: Flash Fiction finished third in the contest "5-7-5"


Katherine M. Kean: I succeeded today's wordle in two goes, for the second time!
    Debra White: Congrats!!
    I've only ever got it in 2, once...
    I am ever so slightly addicted to wordle, lol
    I started playing 34 days ago and have a 34/34 winning streak!
    Not that I'm bragging - I'm just a happy geek! -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: Achieving Despite Myself finished first in the contest "Best Day Ever"
    Katherine M. Kean: Thank you for this great contest (much enjoyed the theme) and to all of you who voted for my story and made this wonderful result happen - you made my day! Kate -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: 1983: The Improbable Thunderbolt finished third in the contest "Let's Enjoy the Differences"


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: Death of Fun finished third in the contest "A Typical Day "
    wilkswrites: Thank you, kindly for your review. True story that I still think about a lot almost 40 years later. -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: A Life Worth of Politics finished third in the contest "Two women sit at a deserted bar"


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: I Will Cope With Covid-19 finished third in the contest "Resolutions"
    Katherine M. Kean: Thanks to the people who voted for this entry in the contest. I will let you know how I get on with keeping it, although I have already told a couple of people I will be writing on other subjects from time to time for light relief. Eight days into the year, and I haven't left the house yet. -
    Katherine M. Kean: Resolutions: staying hunkered down is going well. Covid-based writing is about 50-50: see script I am currently producing. Kate xx -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: We Were Much Younger Than Ten finished third in the contest "Under Ten Competition"
    Katherine M. Kean: Thank you guys for the votes that made this happen! I will leave on my November furlough happy. It's coming fast now, and my novel is calling to me (I'm going in to bat for NaNoWriMo, so don't anticipate being very present here now until December). -
    karenina: Congratulations! Enjoy your furlough! You will be missed...

    Karenina -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: Harry Potter's Best Birthday finished first in the contest "Harry Potter's Birthday"
    Katherine M. Kean: Thank you to everyone who voted for this entry, and made this result possible. I am very grateful. You guys keep me going and trying harder. Love you all, Kate xx -
    Possummagic: Congratulations on a great story Kate. Cheers- Marie - Possummagic. 😊 -


Katherine M. Kean: having just broken and dislocated my thumb I am out of action. Don't expect replies!
    Jannypan (Jan) : You tke care of YOU, Katherine. FS will be here when you return. 😊 Jan -


Katherine M. Kean: I am in England for 4 weeks!!! I arrived very late, but tomorrow will be present opening time if we have a good day... so there will be photos (barely promoted), so could those who see this thought please tell the others - I know I should do it, but the amount I have to get through is unbelievable, so I don't see it happening as I would have liked it to. Love Katherine xx
    sandramitchell: Welcome to England, Katherine. Sorry we couldn't give you some nicer weather! I hope you enjoy your stay. -
    Katherine M. Kean: Thank you Sandra. I'm not allowed out beyond the garden other than to walk to the pharmacy to get supplies to deal with medical emergencies, so the weather is not a factor in life at the moment. -


Katherine M. Kean: A big thank you to Sharon Nolen who has taken the time to translate 'Yvonne' into the Queen's English. This translation can be found in the author's notes beneath this story


Katherine M. Kean: I am drownng under 160 unread messages every morning. I am going to clean house and start afresh. With regret, I will remove from my "followers' list all those who are not my fans or who never review my attempts to write. Sorry, and sorry if you are removed by error - just drop me a line in that case.
    Kit Nongkhlaw: Please do not drop me from your list. I will try to do my best in reading what you have written. -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: A Train Of Thought finished third in the contest "What if ....?"


Katherine M. Kean: Do you remember the book for my mum's birthday? The response has been fantastic, thanks to you all. I've been winding it up this week (hoping to get to see her soon) and found a last chapter from Lucy de Welles - not many of us saw it yet, but it deserves a read, it's such a fun one!


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: Congratulations! Winner of a Class Seat in the Sonnets Class!
    phill doran: Lucky you, Katherine - use it wisely... -
    Katherine M. Kean: Thank you FanStory, I am honoured and will work hard to be worthy of this award -
    Katherine M. Kean: Thank you Phill and Helen. I intend to be very wise, and put even more commitment into this than I did into NaNoWriMo in November, as I have zero work committments in January (I think putting that info into the application might have helped in the choice) -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: My Resolutely Dark World finished second in the contest "The Dark"


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: Condemned to Death finished first in the contest "The Prisoner "
    Katherine M. Kean: Thank you to everyone who voted for this horrible happening. I am grateful for your support. -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: I Jettisoned my Twin Soul finished third in the contest "Twin Soul Soulmate"
    Katherine M. Kean: Thank you to all those who keep encouraging me to write about soulmates by their support. -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: Anger expresses opposition finished second in the contest "5-7-5"
    Katherine M. Kean: thank you to the committee who gave me extra time to correct my inability to count to five, and to those who voted for this poem, making this result possible.
    I am especially grateful to Gypsy Blue Rose, Humpwhistle, and Lancellot for their invaluable input and suggestions that made the final version so much better than the one I originally proposed. I could not have finished second without them. -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: Catch Me If You Can finished first in the contest "Once upon a time...."
    Katherine M. Kean: Thank you very much to everyone who voted for this story, making this (my first first prize) happen. I am grateful to you all. -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: Living with Autism finished second in the contest "Mental Health"
    Katherine M. Kean: Thank you to everyone who voted for this poem, making this result possible. -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: Hope is a good emotion finished third in the contest "5-7-5"
    Katherine M. Kean: Thank you to everyone who voted for my poem, making this result possible. -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: Memories of Joy and Freedom finished second in the contest "November 9th 1989"
    Katherine M. Kean: Thank you to everyone who voted for my piece, awarding it this position. As always, I am grateful for your support. -
    Suzanna Ray: Dear Katherine, Thanks for becoming a fan, this is only my second short story, so your looking in on all my efforts will truly be a great help. Next I think I will try my hand at a script. Have you ever attempted to try that genre? -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: I found my rare needle (revised) finished third in the contest "Soulmate"
    Katherine M. Kean: I want to thank those who voted for me, and made this possible.
    I am also particularly grateful to the reviewers who advised me concerning the vagaries of my SPAGs, and especially SallyO who by discussing a plot problem revealed a serious lapse in tense consistensy, and giraffmang who took things further in this vein (unfortunately I haven'tyet had time to deal with his invaluable suggestions, so the errors in this version are all my own - but I will get onto it before I let it out to air again)
    Thanks to you all -


FanStory wrote to Katherine M. Kean: I believe in magic finished second in the contest "I Believe"
    Katherine M. Kean: Many thanks to the people who voted for my piece, and made this result happen! -