Chapter 1: My Medium Experience

For five years, I’ve adhered to a personal guideline of not writing about Medium. However, after dedicating significant time and effort to this platform recently, I feel compelled to share my thoughts.

It’s essential to recognize that no online platform owes us anything. Medium does not owe us money, recognition, or acknowledgment. We are essentially the product.

Most of my earnings on Medium have been reinvested into the literary community. For instance, KiKi and I utilized our funds to launch a literary journal a few months back, with plans to publish again soon. Additionally, we initiated a podcast that we’re eager to resume.

Previously, I also used my Medium earnings to support my McSweeney's Patreon. I appreciated the direct compensation model for writers, which felt more fulfilling than contributing to a pool where decisions on distribution seem arbitrary.

Despite my love for this platform and the friendships I've developed, I find myself exhausted. The constant grind of editing, publishing, and navigating this ever-changing landscape has become overwhelming. It sometimes feels akin to playing a game of chance, which was never the intent; it was always meant to be about writing and community. As the focus shifted, I realized it was time to explore other avenues.

I harbor no resentment; my affection for Medium and the incredible friends I’ve made remains strong. However, I can no longer invest my emotional energy into something that feels increasingly one-sided. The thought of stepping back as an editor weighs heavily on me, especially considering the friends I would be leaving behind.

I have communicated my feelings of burnout to a few Medium staff members, who responded with understanding and support. They even allowed me to recommend someone to fill in for the stories I can no longer nominate. This was a comforting gesture, reflecting the community spirit that exists here.

Editing for various notable publications has been a rewarding experience, yet it often feels like thankless volunteer work. If you're reading this, please know that every editor here is dedicated and works tirelessly without financial compensation.

The reality is that being an editor brings little advantage. There's not much gain beyond crafting a publication to match your vision, and the lack of recognition or financial reward can be disheartening.

So, why do we persist?

A sense of community develops around publications. Some teams grow large and form friendships offline, while others remain small but dedicated to their vision.

For many years, my work provided a bit of extra spending money and fostered lasting friendships. But now that I’ve built these connections, I find myself questioning my next steps. Should I delve into writing advice or meta articles? How long can we continue to share our resources among ourselves?

Having participated in the Boost Nomination Pilot for six months, I’ve experienced both promise and frustration. While it has been personally beneficial, it has also proven to be exhausting and inconsistent. We were informed from the outset that this was a beta program with expected changes, which I understand. Still, investing hours into something that constantly shifts is challenging. The subjectivity of human curation brings its own set of complexities.

The Boost program aimed to reward "quality" writing, yet quality remains a subjective and often arbitrary concept. This has turned the platform into a space where writers vie for attention and recognition, creating the very environment it intended to eliminate.

I have a family and creative aspirations to consider. When I found myself arguing with my wife over a rejected nomination, I realized the situation had become untenable.

As a nominator, few experiences are as disheartening as seeing a story you believe in turned away by curators. Even if the rationale is clear, it still stings. To all current and future nominators: it’s a challenging role. I respect the tough decisions curators must make, acknowledging that the small team at Medium are human, navigating a complex landscape.

Every platform has its highs and lows. Medium offers a unique audience that’s hard to find elsewhere, allowing you to publish freely and connect with readers. However, there lies the challenge: you are dependent on the system to showcase your work, and even your followers may not see your stories.

When your content gets buried under an avalanche of new submissions, your chances of visibility diminish. It becomes a “hamster wheel,” forcing us to continuously produce to stay relevant.

A former writer once quipped that “Medium’s all about fighting over the same bowl of crusty nickels,” which still makes me chuckle.

Throughout my time here, I’ve had the privilege of learning from amazing mentors, acquiring valuable lessons about writing, storytelling, and editing. I will forever be grateful for their wisdom and guidance.

I cannot predict whether I will find what I seek on another platform, and I am no expert in writing, but I must venture out to discover new opportunities.

I’ve recently begun publishing on Substack, and it feels liberating. I have no expectations of financial gain, which is freeing. My focus is on the joy of writing, free from the rat race.

It’s easy to become entrenched in a platform’s culture. Once you grasp its mechanics, your motivations can shift from enjoying writing to gaming the system. This is a natural progression, and no one is to blame. But when it starts to affect your personal life, it indicates a need for change.

I cherish Medium as a unique platform, and I will continue to publish my work here. However, it no longer feels like home.

To all my friends who have supported me along this journey, know that I hold you dear, and I am just a message away.

Chapter 2: My New Beginnings on Substack

This video provides a comprehensive analysis of the differences between Medium and Substack, as well as insights into monetizing your writing.

In this video, the creator shares their earnings from the first two months on Substack, offering a glimpse into the potential financial rewards of writing on this platform.