How to Join ILLUMINATION as a Writer

We welcome writers of all skill levels, from novices to seasoned authors.

Dear contributors, we apologize for the delay in granting access to your accounts amidst our heavy workload. The good news is you can now submit your stories! We look forward to reading, reviewing, and promoting your work.

Please submit only one story per publication each day. Due to the large number of writers, we can no longer accept multiple submissions daily. ILLUMINATION currently supports over 29,000 writers, but we only have 30 volunteer editors.

While we have 152 volunteers, Medium restricts us to 30 editors per publication for reasons unknown. Our chief editor, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, has reached out to Medium to request an increase in editor capacity, but we’ve yet to receive a response. Consequently, some stories may take longer than 48 hours to publish, with some experiencing delays of a week or more.

We will strive to publish stories promptly, particularly those that adhere to our guidelines. Dr. Yildiz is currently managing over 3,000 pending complaints about delays, responding to only a fraction. If urgent issues arise, please reach out to his volunteer backups: Aiden, Mike Broadly, DHSc, Lawson Wallace, K. Joseph, or InYah.

Thank you for joining ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications on Medium.com. We are a diverse, inclusive, and supportive community committed to helping ethical writers engage with their audiences. We recently published our monthly newsletter, which includes updates and celebrates ILLUMINATION’s 4th birthday on March 19.

March 2024: Monthly Updates from the ILLUMINATION Editorial Team

If you craft meaningful and engaging stories, we will help you publish and promote them, building your readership and increasing your income through genuine reader engagement. Your primary focus should be on creating great content.

As you may know, Medium has recently suspended numerous accounts linked to fraudulent activities. Some were mistakenly flagged and restored, but please refrain from purchasing claps, highlights, or guaranteed reads from sites like Fiverr, as these practices are against Medium's rules. Share this information with fellow writers to safeguard them.

Writers, Stay Vigilant Against Scams

An urgent reminder to remain cautious of emerging scams targeting the Medium Partnership Program.

Medium has prohibited monetization of content generated by AI tools. We do support writers in our dedicated publication, The Lampshade of ILLUMINATION, but please note that AI-generated content cannot be monetized. Review our policy for further details.

Also, be sure to read the latest partner program rules published by Medium, which we have simplified for your convenience.

New Publications for Health and Science Enthusiasts

We’re excited to announce the launch of a new publication, Health & Science, led by Mike Broadly, DHSc. Review the submission guidelines if you’re interested in these topics.

Additionally, Dr. Adam Tabriz has established a specialized publication for healthcare professionals called Integrated Healthcare. Check the initial submission guidelines for details.

This onboarding pack provides essential updates, along with a comprehensive master onboarding document covering all aspects of our publications. Please review this material before submitting your stories.

Essential Read: Master Onboarding Pack

It’s imperative that you familiarize yourself with our onboarding pack before submitting. This document outlines crucial information and guidelines for our publications. You need not read the entire post, but please ensure you understand the key submission points. Once you've read it, kindly confirm by leaving a brief note.

We’ve linked the profiles of today’s new writers at the end of this announcement so you can connect with one another.

Please be aware that Medium has identified fraudulent activities, leading to the suspension of certain accounts. As new writers, it’s essential to adhere to platform policies and avoid any attempts at cheating.

My Views on Recent Account Suspensions

An invitation to empathize with both the victims' challenges and Medium's response to these issues.

If you haven’t yet joined as a member, we encourage you to consider it. More than 30% of our applicants are non-members. While we support all writers, remember that only members can monetize their content and grow their audience more effectively on Medium. Investing $5 a month can yield significant returns, as detailed by Dr. Yildiz in a recent story.

Our administrators were unavailable during the holiday season, so Dr. Yildiz took on the onboarding of new writers. He has also provided additional guidance for those who joined during this period.

Welcome to new writers who joined on New Year’s Day and Christmas Day!

Managing the onboarding of over 150 new writers at a time and the workload of our publications is no small feat. Dr. Yildiz recently shared a personal piece discussing the challenges faced in managing Medium publications, which are operated solely by 152 volunteers.

A Day in My Life: Challenges and Joys

Dr. Yildiz has set a strategic direction for our publications in line with Medium’s new goals for the year. He has also conducted interviews with several prominent writers, which you can find through this link.

Collaboration and Promotion

As we prioritize collaboration, we introduce new writers to our audience via curated collections, offering a fantastic opportunity to connect and collaborate with fellow writers.

In addition to ILLUMINATION editors, other editors like Mike Broadly, DHSc, Aiden, Elin Melaas, and The Sturg curate collections for our readers. Their latest collections are linked below, providing you with insights into their work and potential opportunities for collaboration.

Look What Aiden Found Today — Episode #128

Mike’s Favorite Stories on ILLUMINATION Publications — #104

ILLUMINATION Reading Club #8

New Friends of Medium Subscription for Readers

Our chief editor, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, has upgraded our publication accounts, enabling writers to earn four times more when readers engage with our content. Most of our publications support non-members, but we encourage those who can afford it to consider subscribing to Friends of Medium (FoMs). Reading from these accounts can significantly benefit writers.

We interviewed Dr. Yildiz on how Friends of Medium can enhance visibility for stories and increase reading times, even among non-members. When non-members engage with FoM links, writers earn income.

How Friends of Medium Can Amplify Important Stories via Social Media

Dr. Yildiz has also upgraded his own accounts to support writers and encourage readers to do the same, ultimately benefiting all writers in the community.

As we prioritize high-quality content, we have updated our submission guidelines accordingly. Please review the new guidelines linked below for the publications you contribute to.

Policy Documents for Our Writers

All contributing writers must review our guiding policies before submitting stories. Our stance is firm on these non-negotiable rules.

Zero tolerance for plagiarism on ILLUMINATION

No defamation, discrimination, or hate speech permitted

Importance of Image Copyrights for Writers and Editors

Usage of Affiliate Links on Medium

AI-Generated Content Policy for ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications

Helpful Guidance for New Writers

Below are some common inquiries from new writers. If you are experienced on Medium, feel free to skip the following sections.

#### 1 — How to Submit Your Stories

Once you’ve written your first story on Medium, follow these simple steps for submission. Familiarizing yourself with this process will help expedite your submissions.

After drafting your story, click on the three dots in the upper right corner, choose "Add to Publication," select ILLUMINATION or the relevant publication, and submit. Editors will review your story and publish it if it meets our criteria. If not, they will provide feedback and return it for revisions or transfer it to another appropriate publication.

Please note that certain types of stories are no longer accepted, so review the new submission guidelines.

#### 2 — Use Copyright-Free Images and Caption Them

Be mindful to use only copyright-free images and provide appropriate captions. Violating copyright can lead to significant penalties.

Several writers have faced hefty fines; our editors work diligently to protect your interests. Following the photo handling policy is crucial to avoid publishing delays.

#### 3 — What is Slack and Why Join?

Slack is a communication tool distinct from social media platforms. We use it for streamlined communication, enabling writers to easily connect with editors and moderators to resolve any issues.

Joining our Slack group can help you gain visibility for your stories and connect with fellow writers. It’s a moderated space with over 20,000 members.

You can also access our Discord network managed by Aiden, who has created a video introduction for newcomers.

#### 4 — AI-Generated Content Policy

Currently, we do not accept AI-generated content for publication, except for The Lampshade of ILLUMINATION. Writers using AI tools like Jasper or ChatGPT can submit their work there, but please note that these cannot be monetized.

New Partner Program Rules: ILLUMINATION’s Updated Policies

ILLUMINATION-Curated and ILLUMINATION-Gaming have been recognized as boost-nominating publications, allowing us to nominate stories that align with the boost guidelines.

If you believe your stories meet the criteria, contact Dr. Mehmet Yildiz for potential inclusion in this publication.

Sample Boosted Stories

To understand the criteria for boosted stories, refer to the recent collection of boosted pieces from ILLUMINATION-Curated.

Recent Safety and Security Issues on Medium

Please stay vigilant, as recent issues have emerged concerning account security and fraudulent activities. Report any suspicious behavior to Medium immediately.

Welcome New Writers Joining Today

Let’s extend a warm welcome to our newest writers! Explore their stories and follow them if their content resonates with you.

Amad Haider, Megan Sokoli, Samuel Wilson, Josh Feinberg, and many more!

Changing Perceptions of Publications

At ILLUMINATION, we prioritize quality and engaging content. Not every story will be published; we focus on curatable and boostable narratives that delight our readers.

Guidance for Increasing Earnings from Content Creation

Dr. Mehmet Yildiz recently addressed how writers can increase their income from engagement. It’s important to explore various opportunities beyond Medium.

How to Write Content for Steady Income: 10 Proven Steps

You may also find a new case study offering unique perspectives for aspiring writers.

What I Learned from 12 Months of Blog Ad Trial

We encourage collaboration and promote connections among our writers. You’ll receive an invitation to join our Slack workspace, where you can engage with fellow writers and editors.

Introducing Yourself

Feel free to introduce yourself through a story. Explore the personal biographies of fellow ILLUMINATION writers.

I Self-Curated My September 2023 Stories Based on Topics: Aidan’s example for categorizing stories.

You may also enjoy a recent story from Mike Broadly, who has made significant strides in his writing journey.

Connecting with Other Writers

We recently introduced more writers and editors. Explore their profiles to learn more about their work.

Recent Announcements

To follow our new writers, search for stories titled "New Announcement of New Writers for ILLUMINATION," numbered accordingly.

Writing Challenges for New Writers

Consider participating in our writing challenges, such as the 100-Day Challenge or creating 1,000 short posts in 100 days.

Helpful Resources for Beginners

Explore valuable resources curated by Dr. Mehmet Yildiz to assist new writers in navigating Medium.

Invitation to New Writers

If you’d like to join our vibrant community, please submit a request via the provided link. We’re here to help you succeed as a writer on Medium.

ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications Include:

ILLUMINATION, ILLUMINATION-Curated, ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR, ILLUMINATION Book Chapters, The Lampshade of ILLUMINATION, Technology Hits, SYNERGY, Readers Hope, ILLUMINATION on YouTube, ILLUMINATION Gaming, ILLUMINATION Health & Science, ILLUMINATION’s Blog, EUPHORIA by Dr. Mehmet Yildiz

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