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Abstract

em from MAGIC PUB to MAGIC PUB-Curated. Writers need to request access to the new publication.So, if a writer’s story isn’t up to snuff, according to Medium’s standards, it doesn’t matter. If MAGIC PUB’s editors approve a sub-standard story for curation (and they’ll publish damn near anything from anybody), then voila! It’s curated! Not by Medium, mind you, but by the yarn-spinners behind the curtain.Perhaps I’m being unreasonable because we all know how tough it is to be curated by Medium. There’s no rhyme nor reason for what gets chosen. Many of us have had the experience of writing a heart-felt piece that took a good chunk of time to perfect and then getting nada for it, while a story we banged out in five minutes gets curated. So we’ve experienced the same frustration and helplessness that these other writers have. And it sucks.But that said, something feels off about this MAGIC PUB-CURATED thing. As if writers are being sold a bill of goods.I am open to interpretation here so please tell me if I’m wrong. Yet, as I read the comments, I felt like crying for some of the writers who were grateful to the point of pathos. Grateful for the “opportunity” to finally get their due.For the most part, these are writers that I respect and admire. They’re hard-working and talented and I hate the thought that possibly, they’re being sold a bill of goods.When they get burned, and some will, those writers can always turn their attention to <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-top-shelf-36ff0de25d2e">The Top Shelf</a>. The great ones, anyway.Again, your feedback means a lot so please, hit me up with your thoughts. Be nice, though.In regard to the title of this piece, if I could curate our writers here, or in The Top Shelf with my friend, <a href="undefined">P.G. Barnett</a>, I’d do it in a heartbeat. And if it ever comes to pass that I can, I will.Or I’ll know the reason why.Sherry McGuinn is a slightly-twisted, longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and numerous other publications. Sherry’s manager is currently pitching her newest screenplay, a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story.<figure id="5612"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*PiVJOqgvfMvOFppy"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>Thanks so much for reading, guys. If you enjoyed this, and are up for more:<div id="fc4d" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/expecting-to-fly-34134734cf3a"> <div>

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Announcing Rogues’ Gallery-Curation

What does that mean for you?

Absofuckinglutely nothing! That’s what it means. And I know RG readers are too smart to fall for such bullshit.

But, thousands of other writers on this platform are, as they’re getting their chains jerked daily by a master. And they’re loving it.

The pub that (thankfully) dumped me — yeah, that one — now has a sister pub solely devoted to curated stories. This comprises stories curated by Medium and by the editors of the “white-hot” pub, itself. Their missive: To give a “second life to your curated and outstanding stories.”

Say what?

“Okay. So, if my story is really, really good, curated even, you’ll feature it in your sister publication, where I’ll be curated again. And if it wasn’t curated by Medium, you’re gonna curate it anyway, OMG!!!”

OMG, is right.

I shouldn’t be paying attention to their shenanigans but I ran across a story this morning that gobsmacked me. It was an open invitation for writers to submit to the new, sister publication, the one spinning the magic for hapless writers who should know better. The one that’s finally going to curate them and give them the validation they’ve been seeking. Or, curate them a second time. Whatever.

This shit is confusing.

Of course, many of those scribes can’t actually write, hence the lack of attention from Medium. And it surprises me that the accomplished ones are falling for such hooey.

What has dumbfounded me about this whole thing for months now, is the fact that the pub and its owner appear to operate autonomously, almost as if Medium didn’t exist. Almost as if it was his platform to do as he wishes.

So I’m asking you, fellow writers and friends, is this crap Kosher? Or is this some made-up mumbo jumbo spun by a new age Pied Piper who will do virtually anything in order to elevate his own “brand?”

Here’s the place in the story that left me scratching my head:

There are three ways for articles to be included in the (MAGIC PUB-CURATED).

The second option is related to articles published in MAGIC PUB but not curated by Medium. If these non-curated articles meet our submission guidelines and Medium curation guidelines, they are selected by our editors using a set of criteria. They approve the article and inform the writer. Then writers transfer them from MAGIC PUB to MAGIC PUB-Curated. Writers need to request access to the new publication.

So, if a writer’s story isn’t up to snuff, according to Medium’s standards, it doesn’t matter. If MAGIC PUB’s editors approve a sub-standard story for curation (and they’ll publish damn near anything from anybody), then voila! It’s curated! Not by Medium, mind you, but by the yarn-spinners behind the curtain.

Perhaps I’m being unreasonable because we all know how tough it is to be curated by Medium. There’s no rhyme nor reason for what gets chosen. Many of us have had the experience of writing a heart-felt piece that took a good chunk of time to perfect and then getting nada for it, while a story we banged out in five minutes gets curated. So we’ve experienced the same frustration and helplessness that these other writers have. And it sucks.

But that said, something feels off about this MAGIC PUB-CURATED thing. As if writers are being sold a bill of goods.

I am open to interpretation here so please tell me if I’m wrong. Yet, as I read the comments, I felt like crying for some of the writers who were grateful to the point of pathos. Grateful for the “opportunity” to finally get their due.

For the most part, these are writers that I respect and admire. They’re hard-working and talented and I hate the thought that possibly, they’re being sold a bill of goods.

When they get burned, and some will, those writers can always turn their attention to The Top Shelf. The great ones, anyway.

Again, your feedback means a lot so please, hit me up with your thoughts. Be nice, though.

In regard to the title of this piece, if I could curate our writers here, or in The Top Shelf with my friend, P.G. Barnett, I’d do it in a heartbeat. And if it ever comes to pass that I can, I will.

Or I’ll know the reason why.

Sherry McGuinn is a slightly-twisted, longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and numerous other publications. Sherry’s manager is currently pitching her newest screenplay, a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story.