An apology, plus, 2 things for authors on Medium.
and a note on Medium publications and rejection.
Happy Friday
Three things for you this week…
If you’re an author or you’re writing a book—I wrote this for you. It’s my first story in Better Marketing, and I’m proud of that! It’s about why you shouldn’t use an avatar to find your readers. I think you’ll find it helpful and hope you’ll give it a read...
Jeff Bezos, Tony Robbins, and J.K. Rowling Don’t Use Avatars to Sell Books & You Shouldn't Either. Here’s a better way
2) On Medium Publications & Rejection
If you’ve never managed a publication on Medium, it is crazy town. I opened one of my little pubs for a while last year and wow. Just wow.
When you’re new, Medium notifications are like the early days of email. Every time you get one, it’s exciting. Someone clapped for your post. Someone commented. Another clap. Another comment. Your story has 10 fans, you got curated, someone commented.
Like that — all day. Exciting at first, but as you grow, it can get hard to keep up. Especially if you have a job and you’re trying to squeeze Medium in the spaces.
As a writer, you can turn those off if you want to. But as an editor, you have to get notifications or emails. Because that’s how your writers join and submit.
If an editor is a popular writer and the publication is also popular, the amount of notifications is mind-numbing. Because editors are receiving all those notifications for their stories—and also for publication requests and submissions.
It’s not a job for the weak or the weary, that’s for sure!
True story…
Last Fall, I’d submitted to a publication I wanted to write for. I waited, and waited, and heard nothing. Weeks went by. I thought I got rejected and it kind of sucked.
Then, one day I was adding a story to the Partnered Pen and noticed the pub I thought rejected me was in my list of publications. What the…?
How did I not know I was added? So I scrolled back in the message history and sure enough. The message was there. Somehow, I missed it. It happens.
It’s the old walk a mile in my shoes thing.
As a writer, when we don’t hear back from a publication, we assume we’ve been rejected. Sometimes, we don’t even try because we’re so afraid of being rejected.
But we often have no idea the volume of communications they deal with daily.
We don’t walk in their shoes. If you submit to a publication and don’t hear back, maybe they rejected you. But maybe they didn’t see the message. Or maybe they’re backlogged. Give it a month and try again. And don’t take it personal. Just in case.
3) I dropped the ball and I’m sorry…
In mid-January I sent an email to tell you I’d finished the outline for a book I’m working on, called Authors on Medium. I asked you to shoot me an email if you’re interested in a proof copy or working with me as a case study.
And then I dropped the ball.
When I sent the email, I didn’t plan on a family emergency. Weeks of tests and tears and losing a piece of my heart in the process. And I didn’t say a word.
Some people share their pain with the world so easily. I’m not one of them. Heck, it took almost a year before I could talk about losing my Mom. We all deal how we deal. You know? But still. I dropped the ball.
So, I wanted to say I’m sorry.
I’ve saved all the email you sent and I will be in touch as I get back on track.
Just wanted you to know that. And thanks for understanding.
xo
Linda
Hang in there with whatever the family issue is that you are dealing with.