The Haven Project (or, "Pretentious? Moi?")
The Haven Project is an "expandable archive for Orlando Bloom fandom slash stories. The stories selected have been reviewed by a panel of knowledgeable slash fans and writers, and have been found to be exceptional." (from the FAQ)
Okay, so that's just a little wanky. Reading further down in the FAQ, though, we get to really wanky.
Who is on the review board and why are they part of The Haven Project?
The review board is comprised of writers, readers and scholars of slash.
Every member of the panel is a long-time slasher with an understanding of the elements of story telling and a sturdy grasp of the canon in all of Orlando Bloom’s fandoms. They each have extensive experience with the mechanics of writing and the study of literature, both professionally and recreationally. But like reviewers of film, art, and literature, it is a love of the artform that has brought the members of the review board to this project. The board members are not control-freaks, disgruntled authors, or bitter elitists. They want to encourage and support slash authors – experienced and inexperienced alike – because they believe that even “just slash” can aspire to excellence. Their goal is to foster and promote the talents and efforts of slashers who want to achieve excellence with their stories. They love slash and see no reason to settle for less than good writing.
They're pretty willing to talk about how fantastic they are, but they didn't actually answer the question, now did they? Which leads us to:
Why are the board members and site creators anonymous?
One reason for anonymity is that public knowledge of who is on the board could compromise the objectivity of the board’s evaluations through outside pressure ranging from obligations to harassment.
Or, you know, it could make them take responsibility for their opinions. It's easy to speak your mind while hiding behind a mask of anonymity (see the whole fandom_scruples wank for more on that theme).
Secondly, there is some concern that revealing the identities of the panel would overshadow the excellent authors featured at this site. As the site wishes to exalt, praise and assist serious writers, anything that threatens their spotlight will be stringently avoided.
Wow. This is possibly the most pretentious twaddle that I have ever had the misfortune to read in my entire life.
Let me translate that into English: "We are such amazingly wonderful and intelligent BNFs that if We told you who We were, you would be too dazzled by Our brilliance to properly appreciate those We've chosen to grace with Our approval."
Why should I submit to The Haven Project?
... A spot on the pages of The Haven Project is earned. Therefore, it is an achievement of which the author should feel immensely proud. A group of writers, slashers and Orlando Bloom fans has acknowledged and appreciated your effort and talent, and has found your story to be truly exceptional.
WTF? How much value is there in "earning" the acknowledgement and appreciation of people who don't even have the balls to attach their names to their opinions?
Are all the stories on the site written by members of the board?
No. The overwhelming majority of stories on the site is and always will be by authors entirely unaffiliated with The Haven Project and the review board. Board members will not place their own stories on the site. Should someone unaffiliated with The Haven Project nominate a board member’s story, it will be evaluated on the same criteria as all other submitted stories.
Of course, we have no way to verify that this is true, because of the board members' humble decision to remain anonymous for the sake of the "craft and art" of slash writing.
I could go on because almost all of the FAQ is equally wanky.... Go check it out for yourself.