Chapter 1: Greetings from ILLUMINATION

Hello, dedicated readers and passionate writers! I hope you're enjoying a splendid weekend. Welcome to Episode #190, where I share a selection of my favorite narratives along with those nominated by our talented editors and readers like you. Below, you will find links to these stories after a brief overview of our recent publication activities, including new releases, curation efforts, and introductions to emerging writers.

Today, I bid farewell to the boost program as my contract has come to an end. I penned an open letter to my mentor, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, who is the owner and chief editor of ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications. Additionally, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Ariel Meadow Stallings for her unwavering support throughout this program over the past four months. More details are included in the attached story.

You can also explore Dr. Yildiz's insightful piece, where I wrote a letter to uplift him, acknowledging his significant support to countless writers. The silver lining is that Dr. Yildiz has an extensive subscriber base through ILLUMINATION-Connect, which he established back in 1995. He graciously invited me to join as a complimentary member in recognition of my role as a volunteer media coordinator.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of featuring a beautifully written story by Brother Bhunru. Dr. Yildiz highlighted three remarkable narratives across two separate posts, which I have linked for your enjoyment.

Chapter 2: New Opportunities on Substack

Recently, we launched a new platform for Substack writers, and I am honored to serve as an editor among the esteemed ILLUMINATION Curators. A few writers have already contributed to this innovative space, and I have linked them below as examples to inspire more writers to join this collaborative endeavor aimed at audience growth.

• Finally Joined Substack: A New Chapter in Supporting My Readers by Mike Broadly, DHSc
• A New Beginning: Join Me on My Writing Journey on Substack by Dr. Adam Tabriz
• Transitioning to a Focus on Newsletter Growth: My Shift from Five Years of Medium Publishing by Lawson Wallace

Dr. Yildiz authored a comprehensive guide on jumpstarting new writers on Substack, which I believe will greatly assist many in finding their audience confidently.

Here’s a guiding piece by Dr. Yildiz encouraging writers to assess their options and make informed decisions regarding content marketing strategies:

• Why My Wise Mentors Advised Me: 80% Substack, 15% NewsBreak, 5% Medium for My Writing Effort

This chapter also features a special curated collection by Dr. Yildiz, filled with powerful and edited stories.

I appreciated two recent interviews with Matthew Bamberg and Sylvain Zyssman, which you can read through the provided links:

• Interview with Matthew Bamberg
• Interview with Sylvain Zyssman

You can find more writer interviews in the attached collection.

Chapter 3: A Look Ahead

Yesterday, I was impressed by Mike's detailed perspective on the boost program based on his editorial observations. You’re welcome to join the discussion.

He also expressed concerns about certain content types not being distributed effectively, which resonates with me as I seek impactful content on significant life topics. You can read my thoughts in Why I Now Firmly Believe Medium's Algorithm Deliberately Suppresses Cancer-Related Content.

I recently discovered an inspiring piece by Dr. Yildiz, who shared his struggles with writing and editing due to personal challenges, entrusting his duties to me and other volunteer editors. His narrative, Tiny Steps, Big Results: The Consistent Use of Micro Habits for Better Health, Joy, & Productivity, offers valuable insights.

Additionally, I found his article on fructose particularly relevant, given my own experiences. Nuances of Fructose in Human Metabolism: Understanding Its De Novo Lipogenesis & Hyperphagia is a must-read.

I also featured monthly boosted stories recently; if you missed them, you can find them in this collection.

ILLUMINATION Curators compiled the boosted stories from May. Remember, you’re never too old to write for ILLUMINATION-Gaming!

Anyone can contribute, regardless of age. For instance, Mike wrote about one of my favorite topics—gaming! He published it as his first piece for ILLUMINATION-Gaming, aimed at inspiring seniors like himself. Let’s celebrate his engaging story, which has the potential to impact lives, much like it did for my grandparents.

I appreciate Mike's recent pieces concerning health and science, which you can explore through the links provided.

In a lighter vein, here are two amusing yet significant satirical stories about the platform:

• Bravo, Digital Scammers: A Masterclass in Deception and Algorithm Exploitation
• Part II: Bravo, Support Staff, Your Neglect Deserves a Standing Ovation

As a critical update, we informed the writers of the Lampshade that monetization of their content will no longer be permitted. Human-generated content remains unaffected.

Policy Update: No More Monetization of AI-Generated Content on Medium.

Dr. Mehmet Yildiz recently shared friend links to some of his boosted stories, encouraging non-members to join Medium. He advises writers to create similar collections with friend links for posting on ILLUMINATION-Curated or other publications.

Thank you for your time, and I hope you find inspiration in these beautiful stories.