Me-Now-On-Medium

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Well, not only am I feeling like 'mah brain is fallin' oot', but I may be going blind, too. I have done that much online reading in the past fortnight, honestly, I think my eyeballs are frizzed. I may also have forgotten to go to bed on several nights.

Medium is an online publishing platform, created by the same fellow responsible for Blogger way back in the day. It could be said to be another form of blogging. However, there are some quite serious publications associated with it, as well as a gazzilion other small ones, set up by individuals who fancy having a go. Some of those, it has to be admitted, are somewhat on the amateurish side. There are lots, though, which are definitely worth reading and, perhaps, working up to seeking a writing position on.

So far, I have been accepted to three publications; Chalkboard, which focuses on poetry in response to a weekly prompt; The Mile High Club (all things flight - NOT what you think!); Warm Hearts, for all things kindness (think "capital 'ell' Love"). There are already items up on the first two and am awaiting word for submission on the last. I have also applied for a writer spot on another travel publication, Far And Wide, which is more about reminiscing.

Thus, not only have I been trawling the site finding publications I might be suited to write for, but have actually been writing. It is hard work! This is not like producing an FFF. Well, it kinda is, but a lot more focused, and it is making me 'up my game'.  There are so many good writers out there. I do think I can hold my own. It is also drawing on skills learned from that journalism course I did forty years ago. I knew it would come in handy one day.

Click to go to my homepage on Medium.

You, as readers, can access Medium for five free reads a month. If you enjoy reading, though, it is a place which can soon have you hooked. There are pages covering just about every subject you could care to name. If you plug a keyword into the search line, you could be there for a month trying to read all it offers you back. (Well, that might not be the case if you asked for "wingflingerondynuts" or "redpinkeroonies". A very acquired taste, redpinkeroonies. ) You may, therefore, think about taking out a subscription.

Why would you do this?

Firstly, because you are bound to get full value out of your less-than-a-dollar-a-week (unless you go for the monthly, but it's still great value!) Whether you favour literature, haiku, flash fiction, psychology, "how-tos", political, scientific, medical, mental health, women's' matters, men's matters... ... ...

Secondly, because you wish to support the writers you decide to follow. Membership means you can applaud (the little hands at the bottom of each article - you get up to 50 claps to give per visit). You can also interact by leaving a response to the writing (like commenting). This is a positive affirmation for the writers - unless you have some constructive criticism to offer - which is generally welcomed too. You are best to use the applause at the bottom of the page and not the one on the side-bar. The algo and the rithm work together to assess whether you really read the article or not. Writers can check their stats for evaluating what is popular and working and what is going down like a lead balloon.

Thirdly, when a paid-up member does this, a portion of the subscription paid is credited to the writer. Clearly, for each separate article, this amounts to barely a penny from your subscription, but then if each writer has gathered, say, fifteen 'fans' and those fans regularly visit and applaud, or highlight or respond, then the pennies will begin to accrue.

Let's be clear: even a cup of tea might be a struggle from the monthly income. The idea is noble, though.