Finding My Writing Voice Again Through ILLUMINATION Publications
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The Journey of Rediscovery
Dear Reader,
Twelve months ago, I dove into Medium as a passionate reader, discovering the platform's immense value. Invited by my mentor, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, I enthusiastically began sharing life lessons as a writer and took on the role of editor for ILLUMINATION publications. Engaging in these activities during my retirement has kept me invigorated.
In the first three months, I observed significant growth in my writing. However, in the fourth month, an article about volunteering on Medium negatively impacted the visibility of my stories. I suspect the algorithm wasn’t keen on my writing about Medium itself.
Here's the story that seems to have landed me in distribution limbo!
The Algorithm’s Impact on Medium
This narrative serves as an update to my previous piece. However, I’ve opted for a more straightforward approach rather than using Aussie slang or humor, as the algorithm seems to have a mind of its own…
It appears that the Medium algorithm has significantly limited my stories' reach, leading me to question the value of investing considerable time into writing when my audience seems restricted. For instance, this month, a heartfelt story that I passionately crafted received minimal views, with only a few direct links from our Slack workspace. Despite having 1.1K followers, they didn’t get to see this essential piece.
Here’s a look into some promising research on ketogenic diets and their effects on cancer prevention and treatment.
Reflecting on Visibility and Empathy
It's perplexing why thousands of followers of ILLUMINATION publications seem unable to access our stories. This sentiment resonates with many writers and readers I’ve conversed with, all expressing disappointment about the situation.
This experience can be disheartening for any writer, fostering a strong sense of empathy for newcomers who might also struggle with visibility on the platform. The decline in readership has led me to reconsider my writing efforts, as it seems the algorithm is stifling the outreach of my work, producing minimal views unless shared via direct links.
Until the algorithm shifts positively in favor of my stories, I plan to reduce my contributions and sporadically test the reception of new content. While I've lost my writing spark, my enthusiasm for reading, editing, and promoting remarkable stories remains unwavering.
Redirecting My Passion
Consequently, I've decided to focus on amplifying and sharing impactful stories from the ILLUMINATION publication that resonate with me, aiming to enhance their visibility and provide readers with access to these exceptional works.
Recently, the ILLUMINATION-Curators have launched 15 new collections, which have received positive feedback from both writers and readers. Here are the links to the collections: Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, Volume 4, Volume 5, Volume 6, Volume 7, Volume 8, Volume 9, Volume 10, Volume 11, Volume 12, Volume 13, Volume 14, Volume 15, Volume 16, Volume 17.
This initiative has proven mutually beneficial, offering a variety of reading options for everyone involved. As an avid reader, I’ve personally benefited from these collections, and I’m excited to contribute to this endeavor.
Thanks to our wonderful editor, Aiden, who has expertly guided me in compiling these stories. While the task is straightforward, it requires a considerable investment of time. Nonetheless, I'm eager to dedicate my efforts to this activity, recognizing its value to our community of writers and readers.
Recent Stories Worth Sharing
Here are some remarkable pieces I’ve enjoyed recently. Please consider sharing this list on your social media to help more readers discover them.
- Queer Organisms: Nature’s Lesson for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality by Dr. Mehmet Yildiz
- The Day I Officiated at a Lesbian Wedding by Cedric Johnson, PhD
- Can I Connect with My Transgender Daughter as I Connected with My Son? by Tony Leo
- Dealing with Unintended Embarrassment in the Aging Years by Mark Sanford, Ph.D.
- The Day I Gave Up on My Hometown by Jack Kammer, MSW, MBA
- AI-Songlines for Corporate Data by Dr. John Frederick Rose
- Press Reset Buttons to Transform Your Life With Second Chances by Dr. Preeti Singh
- How You Can Still Achieve Life Success When You’re Chronically Unwell by Dr. Ruth Miller-Anderson
- Better and Better and Better Humans by Moshe Sipper, Ph.D.
- 3 Tips to Simplify Writing a Literature Review by Dr. Hector Vasquez
I hope you find inspiration in these stories as I have!