The Story Star System

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What is the Story Star Review system?

The Story Star Standard is a professional and standardized review system designed to highlight high quality self-published and indie books. Self publishing’s greatest advantage is that anyone can publish, allowing authors greater creative freedom to defy trends and publish beyond what kind of book the publisher wants in their catalogue, as well as having authorial freedom to take your book in whatever direction you choose.

But self publishing’s greatest advantage is also it’s greatest flaw. Self published books have a reputation of being poor quality, to the point many readers don’t consider reading self published books at all.

Quality indie books are often hard to find and are often drowned out by the latest trends or the flashiest advertisements or sheer luck. Our goal is to change that, by offering a book directory to promote indie books that have been quality checked, to install reader’s trust in self published books as well as promoting authors hard work and supporting quality books, especially in the incoming A.I. slop of the market place. So the question is how do we judge what’s a quality book?

Book directory

So how do we judge quality fairly?

Standardised system

We use a standardised system that judges books on seven weighted categories: Narrative craft (25%), Characters (20%), Prose (20%), Dialogue (10%), World & Atmosphere (10%), Concept & Theme (10%), and Format (5%). Each category focuses on the story craft of the book, reviewing each book into each band of the categories (from 1 to 5). We then use weighted averages to determine if a star (or more) is awarded.

Reviewers are required to fill out a professional and insightful explanation for their markings in each category, which will be sent to the author and uploaded in our book catalogue if the book achieves a star or more

Professional Reviewers

All of our reviewers are professionals in the craft of writing, from editors, book coaches, and writers who are deeply knowledgeable about the art of novel writing. All our reviewers are quality checked and have their reviews reviewed regularly to ensure standardisation and fairness in our star system. Our reviewers are not just readers, they will are professions that we’ve trained specifically to review your book.

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What do the Stars mean?

Submit Your Book
Average of of 3.49 and below

No Star Awarded

A book that achieves a 3.49 average and below will not be awarded a star. This book doesn’t meet the Story Star Standard requirements. You will recieve detailed feedback which will explain what are the problem areas which caused no star to be awarded

Average of 3.5-3.99

1 star – A book we Recommend

A book that achieves a 3.5-3.99 average will achieve a 1 star. This is a book we recommend reading, as an enjoyable book that may have a few flaws or not necessary stand out as a book, but is an enjoyable experience to read.

Average of 4-4.49

2 stars – A book Worth remembering

A book that achieves a 4-4.49 average will achieve a 2 star. This is a book that rises above other indie books and has a strong control of craft, whether it be a very well told narrative or amazing characters, or a mix of both.

Average of 4.5-4.99

3 star – a Book worth celebrating

A book that achieves a 4.5-4.99 will achieve a 3 star. A 3 star book is rare and is a masterwork. Often it is highly original or redefines common tropes in the genre. Excellently strong craft.

A perfect score of 5

4 stars – a Book of Mythic Quality

A book that achieves a perfect 5 on every one of the 7 categories will recieve a 4 star. We believe this to probably be impossible but perhaps one day a book will achieve a perfect score.

Relaxed & Friendly

Each of the Seven Categories

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Narrative Craft (25%)

Plot, Structure, and Pacing

Narrative Craft is the most essential aspect of a book. The prose and world building may be superb but if the narrative craft is poor the book fails to engage the readers. Narrative craft looks at the overall plot, are story arcs fulfilled? Is the plot satisfying and engaging? As well as examining pacing of individual scenes as well as the wider picture.

Band 1: A complete lack of control of the plot. Books in Band 1 often have severe consistency problems, a lack of any sense of narrative arcs, no or severely limited set off and payoff, and stakes. The narrative craft is executed in a way that severely distracts the reader’s experience.
Band 2: Major issues in the plot. Band 2 books often have large pacing issues, unresolved arcs with no purposeful indication of why they’re unresolved (such as sequels), or unclear stakes. Unlike Band 1 books, there is a consistent through plot, or enjoyable elements of the plot, but overall stumbles at many aspects of narrative craft.
Band 3: An enjoyably crafted plot but with some issues. Books may be overall entertaining, have good set up and pay off and emotional arcs, but have some issues that stand out, such as an unsatisfying ending. Band 3 books might also have some absolutely excellent elements of the narrative craft but also some major problems which would place it here. Band 3 books have ahold of the plot decently well but have areas of improvement.
Band 4: An enjoyable plot. Books in Band 4 are overall entertaining, well crafted, and hit major plot beats to be satisfying as a reading experience. There may be one or two scenes or arcs which feel unnecessary but these are usually minor and importantly don’t detract from the reading experience.
Band 5: An incredible plot which captivates the reader. Flawless in execution, with compelling stakes and emotional beats. Band 5 books should have narrative craft that elevates, leaves an impression, and is free from errors.
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Character (20%)

Depth, Emotional Impact, and Purpose

Characters are the beating heart of any story. Here we examine how convincing the characters are as people and as story elements, do they have depth, purpose? we also analyse character’s reactions and convincing they are, as well as examining the place, purpose, and impact of characters.

Band 1: Complete lack of convincing and distinguishable characters. Books in Band 1 have characters with no or extremely limited personality, which feel in-disguishable from other characters and have no attempt of depth given to them. Characters in a band 1 book are unconvincing in a way that severely distracts from the reader experience.
Band 2: Flat characters with limited distinguishably. Books in band 2 have made some attempt at distingushable characters and depth but feels limited and convincing or lacking. Characters in band 2 clearly have potential and thought put in them but are lacking on execution.
Band 3: Characters are enjoyable and well thought through but have some major issues. Band 3 book might have characters which are overall enjoyable but may have an issue such as not have enough depth, purpose within the story or authentic reactions to their background and societal place. For example, a band 3 book might have a lot of enjoyable characters but the characters might not correspond to their experiences, such as a character that’s time travelled from the past acts the same as the modern day characters. 
Band 4: Characters are complex, convincing, entertaining, and have a key purpose in the story, but may stumble on one or two character or scenes.  Characters should be well thought out and enjoyable and any issues shouldn’t detract from the reading experience.
Band 5: Characters are complex, convincing, emotive, and elevate the story. The characters should enrich the story
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Prose (20%)

Style, Voice, and Quality of Prose

Prose is essential for a good book, for it sets apart a book from another medium. So how do we judge quality prose? Many make the mistake of thinking flowery prose equals good prose but this is often not the case, quality prose should be purposeful, subtle, with a clear voice.

Band 1 – Prose is extremely repetitive, flat, and difficult to follow. Band 1 prose is usually so simplistic, flat, or confusing, it completely distracts from the reader’s experience. Band 1 prose can usually be found by prose so jarring to the reader that all other merits of the book is lost.
Band 2 – Prose which is understandable but is riddled with errors. Band 2 prose often over-explains, uses passive voice, and fails to captivate the reader with their prose. It is usually passable if paired with higher bands in other areas but Band 2 does not add quality by itself
Band 3 – Prose which is neither remarkable or bad. Band 3 prose usually neither excites or detracts from the reading experience. On the other hand, Band 3 prose might have excellent moments of prose followed by poor moments that places it neither in Band 2 or 4.
Band 4 – Prose which is engaging, descriptive, and emotive. Band 4 prose had clear competency in the craft which makes the book engaging. They may have a few errors such as moments of repetition or over-explaination ut overall has few mistakes.
Band 5 – Prose which is elevates the text, in insightful, clever, and thoughtful ways. Band 5 prose is subtle and expertly crafted by the author to achieve the desired affects on the narrative. This prose is not just descriptive but insightful and leaves a lasting impression on readers.
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Dialogue (10%)

Realism, Character Voice, and Is it Convincing

Dialogue is as essential element of story crafting, from how it portrays the characters, furthers the plot, and holds emotional weight in the story. One of the main marks for good dialogue is emotions, subtly, and how convincing the dialogue is.

Band 1 – Dialogue is completely flat with no character voice. The tone and manner is speech is completely inappropriate for the scene and most of the dialogue feels pointless and repetitive. Band 1 dialogue is often so unemotive it gives nothing to the reader.
Band 2 – Dialogue often lacks character voice and conflict in a way that hinders the enjoyment of the book. Band 2 the dialogue is poorly utilised and does little outside of further the plot. Dialogue in this band often feels unconvincing, but it at least has moments of merit.
Band 3 – Dialogue is engaging but lacks subtly. Dialogue might be interesting but lacks character voice or purpose. Often dialogue in this band doesn’t distract but also doesn’t enhance the reader experience.
Band 4 – Dialogue which is engaging, purposeful, and filled with character voice. Band 4 dialogue elevates the novel but might struggle with elements such as subtly. Overall, band 4 dialogue must be engaging, convincing and character driven.
Band 5 – Dialogue is incredibly crafted: it’s filled with character voice, subtly, emotion, and insightfulness into the human experience. Band 5 dialogue elevates beyond just the character’s voices, to have each dialogue be purposeful, sharp, and well-crafted.
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World & Atmosphere (10%)

World-Building, Setting, and Tone

World and Atmosphere is a wider category than others, that covers World Building, Setting, and Tone. For a Fantasy novel, World Building is very easy to define, but every book must build a sense of world, place, and atmosphere, from a small contemporary coffee shop, to epic fantasy worlds. To judge the success of this category, we must judge how convincing the setting is, and whether it successfully invokes emotional response or fits the narrative of the story.

Band 1: Setting and Atmosphere are completely contrived, flat, and unconvincing. The world established through the novel feels uncontrolled, with no thought put into the setting, world, or tone to the point it debilitates the novel.
Band 2:Setting and Atmosphere is flawed but it’s clear thought was put into it. Whether a setting has been established but thought but difficulty in execution, or whether the tone that was intended to be portrayed fell flat. Books in this category, the intent of World and Atmosphere is often clear but it fails in execution.
Band 3 :Setting and Atmosphere is satisfactory but feels somewhat underdeveloped or missed in potential and/or may have slight mismatches and failed execution of their setting and tone. Books in this band may have successful elements and unsuccessful elements which place it in this category.
Band 4: Setting and Atmosphere are appropriate to their genre and engaging to the readers. The author understands how to portray world and atmosphere, with interesting settings and captivating atmosphere.
Band 5: Setting and Atmosphere excels. The book’s World and Atmosphere is fully captured, inspiring, emotional, and thoughtful. The World and Atmosphere is rich and fully elevates the reading experience.
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Concept & Theme (10%)

Originality, Success of Concept, and Theme

Theme and Concept is an essential part of a book but is often ignored in critics. This category assesses a books concept and originality, from both books that stray from tropes and books that elevate an already existing trope in a thoughtful way through it’s handling of it’s concept. This category also accesses theme, how well theme is used to enrich the narrative and the success of execution of themes.

Band 1: Generic and lacking in themes to the point it seems completely copied. Books in this band are generic to the point it feels like it is copying tropes from an A.I. checkist. Nothing engaging or new can be found
Band 2: Has a generic concept which is executed in a way it becomes a hinderance to the book. A Band 2 book has limited or generic themes and concepts to the point it feels predictable and flat, but some effort is made to be distinct but it may not be executed.
Band 3: A book that has either satisfactory theme and concept and feels standard for the genre and is enjoyable for what it is. A band five book may have great arc of themes but feels incredibly standard for the genre or feel original but struggle with themes. It’s neither excellence or flat.
Band 4: A book that has great harnessing of themes and excels within it’s genre. It may not be highly original or redefining of tropes, but it’s handling of it’s concept and themes are excellently handled.
Band 5: Excels in theme and originality. Redefines tropes within a genre in a new light or is highly original. Band 5 Concept book is highly creative, with themes that are insightful, emotional, and enriches the book.
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Format (5%)

Punction, Spelling, and Layout

Format is one of the most easily objective areas and focuses on grammar, professional formatting, and ease of readability. This section mainly focuses on objective SPAG. Books that are neat and well organized should have an easy time scoring highly on this category.

Band 1: Format is completely incoherent such as no paragraph breaks or full stops/periods. The formatting for a band 1 book is so bad the text becomes mostly illegible.
Band 2: Formatting is filled with distracting errors, such as areas that lack paragraphs or appropriate full stops/periods. Band 2 books, unlike Band 1, are understandable and can be read, however their formatting mistakes are so great it constantly pulls the reader out of the reading experience and/or detracts from your enjoyment of the book.
Band 3 : Formatting has some major errors in certain sections or lots of minor inconsistencies. A band 3 book for formatting may have some very well formatting sections combined with sections that are distractingly formatting or the book may have consistent errors that place it neither in band 4 or band 2.
Band 4: Formatting is neat and pleasant to read but may make several minor errors, but importantly these errors rarely take you out of the reading experience.
Band 5: Formatting is completely polished with no noticeable errors, beyond one or two incredibly minor errors.
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Brings it together (100%)

Final Score

Once a book has been marked on all 7 categories, it’s then our job to calculate these weighted scores and sort them into the appropriate star. Books that are very narrowly on the borderline of an upper star, such as books which achieved a score of 3.49 or 3.99, will be very carefully assessed to see if the book is truly fitting of the star it’s given.

During our write up of the review, each reviewer has to justify why they gave your book the score it did for each category, in a professional and measured review your work. A reviewers score must be based on these professional rubric.

If you have any more questions about the process please contact us on contact@thestorystarstandard.com

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