New Writers Welcomed to ILLUMINATION: An Exciting Announcement
Written on
Greetings to all new contributors! This announcement serves to inform you that you now have access as writers within ILLUMINATION and other associated publications. You are encouraged to start submitting your stories; however, please note that only one story can be submitted per publication each day. This policy has been implemented due to the growing number of contributors we have.
We appreciate your joining us in ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications on Medium, which boasts over 27,900 writers. Our community is diverse, inclusive, and supportive, designed to assist ethical writers in captivating their audiences. Our monthly newsletter has been released, featuring our latest updates, and this edition is particularly special as we celebrated ILLUMINATION's fourth anniversary on March 19.
March 2024: Monthly Updates from ILLUMINATION Editorial Team
Key Insights on Achievements and Future Plans
medium.com
If you craft meaningful and engaging narratives, we will aid you in swiftly growing your audience through our extensive community, enhancing your income through meaningful interactions with readers and fellow writers. Our goal is to facilitate your writing journey. All you need to do is produce exceptional content and actively engage as a reader. We eagerly await the opportunity to review, publish, and promote your work.
This document serves as a supplementary onboarding pack, providing you with essential updates. A comprehensive master onboarding pack is attached, covering all aspects of our publications.
Master Onboarding Pack
To start, please review the onboarding pack before submitting your stories. It contains crucial information and guidelines for our publications. While you do not need to read the entire post, familiarizing yourself with the key points regarding submissions is essential. When you have finished, we kindly ask that you leave a brief note indicating that you have read it. Non-member writers can find a link at the top of this document.
Master Copy: Onboarding Information for New Writers
Welcome to ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications
medium.com
We have included links to the profiles of today's new writers at the end of this announcement, so you can connect meaningfully with one another.
As an important note, Medium has identified instances of fraudulent activity and has suspended several accounts. As a new writer, please adhere to the platform's policies and rules to avoid any issues.
An Invitation for Non-Members to Consider Membership
During our recent recruitment, it was noted that over 30% of applicants are non-members. While we support everyone, please be aware that without membership, monetizing your content and building your audience on Medium will be challenging. An investment of $5 a month could yield significant returns. Dr. Yildiz elaborated on this in a recent story, accessible via the friend link provided.
My Thoughts on Recent Account Suspensions on Medium
Empathy and Understanding in Light of Recent Events
medium.com
Our chief editor managed onboarding during the holiday season when other administrators were unavailable. He also provided guidance to new writers, and you may connect with those who joined during that time through the attached stories.
A Special Welcome to New Writers from the Chief Editor
Adding over 150 new writers frequently and managing the workload of our publications is a considerable task. Dr. Yildiz has shared a personal narrative highlighting the challenges faced by publications on Medium. It’s important to note that our publications do not generate income; they rely on approximately 149 volunteers, including editors and moderators.
My Saturday: Challenges and Insights
A Reflection on Life’s Ups and Downs
medium.com
In alignment with Medium's new direction for 2023, Dr. Yildiz has refined our publication strategy. He has also conducted interviews with several prominent writers, which you can explore through the provided links.
Collaboration and Promotion
As we value collaboration, new writers will initially be introduced to our readers and fellow authors through curated collections. This is a great opportunity to connect with writers whose work resonates with you.
Beyond ILLUMINATION editors, others like Mike Broadly, DHSc, Aiden (Illumination Gaming), Elin Melaas, and The Sturg are preparing curated collections for our audience. We will link their latest collections for your reference. They may tag you in future stories to introduce you to readers.
Overview of New Friends of Medium Subscription for Readers
Our chief editor, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, has upgraded our publication accounts to 'Friends of Medium'. Reading from these accounts will enable writers to earn four times more. Most of our publications support non-members, but we encourage all writers who can afford the subscription to consider it for increased earnings. Dr. Yildiz has detailed the benefits in his recent story.
Why I Became a Friend of Medium
We discussed how Friends of Medium (FoMs) can share stories to boost visibility and increase reading time, even from non-members. Notably, when non-members engage with links from FoMs, it generates income for the writers.
How Friends of Medium Can Amplify Stories via Social Media
Dr. Yildiz has also upgraded his accounts to support writers and encourages our audience to upgrade if possible, allowing our writers to generate more income and enhance their storytelling.
Given our priority on content quality, we have updated our submission guidelines as outlined below. Please familiarize yourself with the new guidelines relevant to your contributions.
Submission Guidelines
- ILLUMINATION-Curated: New Submission Guidelines 2023
- Illumination Integrated Publications: Submission Guidelines
- SYNERGY: Submission Guidelines 2023
- Technology Hits: Submission Guidelines 2023
- ILLUMINATION Book Chapters: Submission Guidelines 2023
- Readers Hope: New Submission Guidelines 2023
- ILLUMINATION Gaming: Submission Guidelines 2023
- ILLUMINATION Videos and Podcasts: Submission Guidelines 2023
- Conduct Guidelines for The Lampshade of ILLUMINATION
Policy Documents for Our Writers
All contributors must review these guiding policies prior to submitting their stories. While we are understanding, these rules are non-negotiable.
- Zero tolerance for plagiarism
- No defamation, discrimination, or hate speech tolerated
- Importance of image copyrights
- Use of affiliate links on Medium
- AI-generated content policy
Guidance for New Writers in 4 Steps
For those new to Medium, here are some frequently asked questions. If you are seasoned on Medium, feel free to skip ahead.
1 — How to Submit Your Stories
Once you have written your first story, follow these straightforward steps. After a few attempts, it will become second nature. To submit, click the three dots at the top right of your screen, select 'Add to Publication', choose ILLUMINATION or a relevant publication, and submit. Your story will be reviewed by editors, who will publish it if it meets our criteria. If not, they will provide feedback.
2 — Use Copyright-Free Images
A common oversight is failing to add captions to photos or using copyrighted images. Violating copyright can lead to severe penalties. Our editors are dedicated to protecting our writers, so we ask you to adhere to copyright rules.
3 — What is Slack?
Slack is a collaboration tool that facilitates communication among writers, editors, and publication owners. It is not merely another social media platform. Our Slack group is moderated and free, with over 20,000 members. Joining can help you share your story links and gain visibility.
4 — AI-Generated Content Policy
We do not accept content created by AI tools for our publications, except for the dedicated publication, The Lampshade of ILLUMINATION. Writers utilizing AI can submit their work there.
ILLUMINATION-Curated and ILLUMINATION-Gaming as Boost Nominating Publications
Medium has recognized ILLUMINATION-Curated as a boost-nominating publication. To join, you must demonstrate high-quality storytelling skills. If you believe your work meets our standards, please reach out to Dr. Yildiz for an evaluation.
Sample Boosted Stories and Resources
You can find examples of boosted stories from ILLUMINATION-Curated in the attached collection. Additionally, Dr. Yildiz has created a comprehensive checklist to assist you in increasing your chances of boosting.
Recent Safety and Security Issues
We have noted some serious security concerns on Medium recently that have affected writer earnings. Please remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
Meet the New Writers Joining Today
Let’s extend a warm welcome to those who have joined our publications today. This is a perfect chance to explore their stories and follow their work.
New writers include: Sebastian Rocca, Tal Stiller, Issa Ridwan, and many more.
Perceptions and Expectations of Publications
Please understand that our editors do not publish every story. Your submissions must be thoughtfully crafted and valuable to our audience. We aim for stories that can be curated and boosted, focusing on topics that captivate readers.
Enhancing Earnings from Content Creation
Beyond boosting, Dr. Yildiz recently provided insights on how to improve income through writing engagement. While many aspire to sustain themselves through writing alone, exploring various opportunities is essential.
Collaboration and Promotion
You will receive an invitation to our Slack workspace where you can collaborate, share story links, and contact our editorial team.
Helpful Resources for Beginners
Discover valuable stories crafted by Dr. Yildiz aimed at assisting new writers on Medium.
Invitation to New Writers
To join our thriving publications, please request via the provided link, including your Medium account ID.
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’s Blog
- EUPHORIA by Dr. Mehmet Yildiz