I did read your piece on the man you miss but never met -- heart-rending (as I commented on Medium). IDK if you nominate fiction for Boost, but here's the story I sub'd in October that I'm rather fond of: https://medium.com/@janmflynn1537/dummy-6c71c7b9e23
Also, I submitted a story to your "On Reflections" pub about a week ago, not sure if you've had a chance to look at it yet & it's kinda lighthearted: https://medium.com/p/f45c32eef2f8/edit
The story about your friend was beautiful and deserves a Boost/much wider audience-- all the more so, given how many people sight the connections they make online as a reason for staying on platforms that might not love them back.
There was a writer for The Riff that was similar to your friend; read everything I wrote, etc. He was also an amazing writer--if I had to add a comma to any of his drafts, it was unusual. Better yet, he kept the same weird hours I do, so we'd often be on Medium or Twitter at the same time pinging comments/messages back & forth. Then he was gone. It's been almost 2 years and I still can't bring myself to remove him from any of my lists. Funny the way these parasocial relationships work...
I'm sorry the same happened to you too, Kevin. Years ago I had a friend on another platform. We started with words and emails. Then moved to phone. We'd call each other every week like clockwork, just to say hi. One day I called and her husband said she's gone. Died in an accident the day after our last call. I was crushed. Her name was Annie and I miss her dearly.
Good morning Linda, sorry about the loss of a loyal reader. It’s a strange thing but beautiful in its own way. I was not aware that non-members could no longer read three articles a month or the percentages for previews. But I can’t see why any regular Medium writer would care. My exterior views are much lower than those you show, more like 25%. If they generate Medium memberships, great but we no longer get a piece of that so…not that it really amounted to much. Rather than get myself worked up over Medium’s policies and incompetent management, I just publish and move on to building up my Substack stuff. At least I feel like I have control over my destiny with my newsletters. M
I so agree, Martin. But some do, and I figure better to let them know up front than have them hit publish and then be upset. (I need to work on building up my Substack, too.)
Last month (October) was the first month I realized my Substack subs were actually making a dent in my monthly income. A small one but very encouraging. It took a long time to get there but it took a long time to build a Medium following too. One of the myths of online publishing is this overnight success crap. Honestly, I think it sets weird standards for new people who get discouraged. This is a long game. Like most things.
I have a few recent stories that I would love see nominated for a boost. I spent a lot of time crafting the story so that it is compelling and supporting the reader! Please let me know what do you think! Thank you so much!
➡️ A Single Cup of Ayahuasca Was Enough to Transform My Life
I like this. A long time ago non members could read as many short forms as they wanted. That was great because they feel in love with a writers. When they joined they were true readers. In addition, skilled writers could attract new readers to their other sites. Eventually, Medium only allowed 15 free short reads, That was still good as my test group found this was perfect for tea time. However, they could only have tea once a month, lol. The last change, prior to the shut down in free reads, was that if you used original formatting which began with a first sentence in bold: you could read 15 stories. If you used Title/subtitle you saw three. I prefer free reads as I prefer loyal readers. I was happy getting thousands of views and reads on my long stories too. I focused on reads ration to know if my writing was holding the readers interest. I was sharing info I want people to have. When thousands of people read--I was happy. Now I will not write, as my stuff comes up on google/etc. When someone knocks at my door, I do not slam it in their face. __OBOY--using that for my title story about this topic. Thank you for doing the research on the VIEW issue. Lots of panic folks and I don't think they believed me when I reassured them they would be paid for member reads. I'll pass your story around. Sorry, I think I ranted here--not my cup of tea to rant.
The poets on Medium won't like this, and I know there are quite a few of them there.
I figure some won't care, but some will care very much and they should probably know. :)
Hi Linda, I have a non-boosted story if you would be interested. I’m honestly not sure how Medium deals with memoir these days, but I used to get boosted all the time and now crickets for 3 months. Thank you so so so much. https://medium.com/ellemeno/i-slept-in-my-car-at-my-high-school-reunion-dc82ae645bc6
You are so welcome Glenna. I have no idea how they deal with anything lately, but I will sure go have a read and thanks!
If any of the ones I know end up on Substack, I'll follow them. I follow some of them that are already here anyway.
Hi Linda, interesting post, thank you. I didn’t know about the percentages and how they affect our stats. I have a story for a boost recommendation if you like it: https://medium.com/swlh/from-blog-to-book-how-i-turned-my-articles-into-an-ebook-d9710732bdbc. Thanks for offering!
I hope this changes so everyone wins. Must be hard to make decisions like they do.
I couldn't decide which to send, so here are 3.
https://medium.com/good-vibes-club/last-does-not-mean-loser-e692036a14ec
https://medium.com/good-vibes-club/the-voice-of-dreaming-saved-my-life-bcde02edeb20
https://medium.com/good-vibes-club/unity-ness-loch-ness-lock-ness-open-ness-one-ness-45040cf9ea43
Thanks for considering any of them!
And yes, I read all your posts, too. So sorry about your friend.
I did read your piece on the man you miss but never met -- heart-rending (as I commented on Medium). IDK if you nominate fiction for Boost, but here's the story I sub'd in October that I'm rather fond of: https://medium.com/@janmflynn1537/dummy-6c71c7b9e23
Also, I submitted a story to your "On Reflections" pub about a week ago, not sure if you've had a chance to look at it yet & it's kinda lighthearted: https://medium.com/p/f45c32eef2f8/edit
I have not because BLACK FRIDAY PRESALE for everyone who works in ecommerce, like me. lol I will do a catchup day today. :)
I seriously do NOT know how you do all you do. No worries, no hurries!
Necessity. Can't stop paying bills or I'll lose my roof. Can't stop writing or I'll lose my mind. lol.
The story about your friend was beautiful and deserves a Boost/much wider audience-- all the more so, given how many people sight the connections they make online as a reason for staying on platforms that might not love them back.
There was a writer for The Riff that was similar to your friend; read everything I wrote, etc. He was also an amazing writer--if I had to add a comma to any of his drafts, it was unusual. Better yet, he kept the same weird hours I do, so we'd often be on Medium or Twitter at the same time pinging comments/messages back & forth. Then he was gone. It's been almost 2 years and I still can't bring myself to remove him from any of my lists. Funny the way these parasocial relationships work...
I'm sorry the same happened to you too, Kevin. Years ago I had a friend on another platform. We started with words and emails. Then moved to phone. We'd call each other every week like clockwork, just to say hi. One day I called and her husband said she's gone. Died in an accident the day after our last call. I was crushed. Her name was Annie and I miss her dearly.
Hey Linda, each time I read you, I learn something new :) I do write short forms but I always link to long forms so that helps...
So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.
I too am hearing that the curators are being picky and secretive about it so not sure anymore what they're looking for
Here's something I wrote recently https://medium.com/p/63c4b513e85c
Thanks!
Good morning Linda, sorry about the loss of a loyal reader. It’s a strange thing but beautiful in its own way. I was not aware that non-members could no longer read three articles a month or the percentages for previews. But I can’t see why any regular Medium writer would care. My exterior views are much lower than those you show, more like 25%. If they generate Medium memberships, great but we no longer get a piece of that so…not that it really amounted to much. Rather than get myself worked up over Medium’s policies and incompetent management, I just publish and move on to building up my Substack stuff. At least I feel like I have control over my destiny with my newsletters. M
I so agree, Martin. But some do, and I figure better to let them know up front than have them hit publish and then be upset. (I need to work on building up my Substack, too.)
Last month (October) was the first month I realized my Substack subs were actually making a dent in my monthly income. A small one but very encouraging. It took a long time to get there but it took a long time to build a Medium following too. One of the myths of online publishing is this overnight success crap. Honestly, I think it sets weird standards for new people who get discouraged. This is a long game. Like most things.
Hi Linda, thank you for this!
I have a few recent stories that I would love see nominated for a boost. I spent a lot of time crafting the story so that it is compelling and supporting the reader! Please let me know what do you think! Thank you so much!
➡️ A Single Cup of Ayahuasca Was Enough to Transform My Life
https://medium.com/the-taoist-online/a-single-cup-of-ayahuasca-was-enough-to-transform-my-life-61c97d1306ec
➡️ Is Pain Necessary For Growth?
https://medium.com/change-your-mind/is-pain-necessary-for-growth-208ddf381f32
➡️ As the Family Scapegoat, My Family Wants Me Dead
https://medium.com/the-narrative-arc/stop-being-your-family-scapegoat-and-being-scapegoated-d85b31b9f72e
I thought your tribute was heartfelt and boost worthy.
Thanks Walter, that means a lot coming from you. You're a powerful writer yourself. :)
Hi Linda. I’m sorry for your loss. I’m not sure what Medium truly wants these days but I have a few in mind if you can check.
1. https://medium.com/illumination/stop-treating-anger-as-your-enemy-56ad93f058a2
2. https://medium.com/the-recovering-people-pleaser/i-never-want-to-be-my-old-self-again-16009aabf7d0
3. https://medium.com/bouncin-and-behavin-blogs/the-deinstitutionalization-movement-was-a-huge-mistake-873463d68987
This was such a beautiful tribute to your friend. May he RIP. Submitting one of my articles- written this week. https://medium.com/new-writers-welcome/how-im-adjusting-to-the-end-of-my-25-year-running-routine-1f9c03e13f13
I like this. A long time ago non members could read as many short forms as they wanted. That was great because they feel in love with a writers. When they joined they were true readers. In addition, skilled writers could attract new readers to their other sites. Eventually, Medium only allowed 15 free short reads, That was still good as my test group found this was perfect for tea time. However, they could only have tea once a month, lol. The last change, prior to the shut down in free reads, was that if you used original formatting which began with a first sentence in bold: you could read 15 stories. If you used Title/subtitle you saw three. I prefer free reads as I prefer loyal readers. I was happy getting thousands of views and reads on my long stories too. I focused on reads ration to know if my writing was holding the readers interest. I was sharing info I want people to have. When thousands of people read--I was happy. Now I will not write, as my stuff comes up on google/etc. When someone knocks at my door, I do not slam it in their face. __OBOY--using that for my title story about this topic. Thank you for doing the research on the VIEW issue. Lots of panic folks and I don't think they believed me when I reassured them they would be paid for member reads. I'll pass your story around. Sorry, I think I ranted here--not my cup of tea to rant.
I need to find your help in building Substack--it is time.