ILLUMINATION Gaming: Submission Guidelines 2023

Guidance to Gamers to Write Better Stories on Medium

Hello Gaming Enthusiasts,

Gaming has been my passion, my obsession, and the reason I sometimes forget to eat. Back in 2022, I decided to channel this fervor into a Medium publication that would give gaming writers their well-deserved platform.

To my delight, the ILLUMINATION community welcomed this venture into their family with open arms, and I’m genuinely thankful for their support.

But, as they say in the gaming world, you’ve got to adapt to the latest patch. In August 2023, Medium altered its strategy, shifting the focus from quantity to quality.

That meant it was high time for all our publications to update their submission guidelines to ensure our stories get the spotlight they deserve.

As the proud owner and chief editor of ILLUMINATION Gaming, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work on refining our guidelines.

Now, don’t fret. Our guidelines won’t be as strict as a hardcore dungeon. We gamers understand that we come in all sorts of styles, and that’s perfectly okay.

However, we’ve still got to maintain some level of quality because, let’s be real, who doesn’t prefer a well-crafted, well-formatted story to accompany their gaming adventures?

Before we dive into these new-fangled submission guidelines, let me give you a quick intro to our publication.

You see, for the new writers in the room, I actually introduced this publication in a YouTube video back in 2022. Yep, that’s right, I went from button masher to video creator, and I’ve got the YouTube video to prove it!

If YouTube isn’t your thing, don’t worry; I’ve got the abridged version for you. So, picture this: I’m a dedicated gaming writer and decided to birth a new publication aptly named ILLUMINATION Gaming.

But I didn’t stop there. I wanted this publication to be part of something bigger, something grander. That’s when I joined forces with Illumination Integrated Publications.

They’ve got a whopping 23,000+ writers and a readership that stretches into the 72 thousand range. It’s like joining an epic raid party with all the right buffs.

Now, let’s talk about the fun part. We’ve got ourselves a Slack workspace. tailor-made for gamers. Best part? It’s free for all members and overseen by our trusty publication moderators.

Slack will be our hub where gamers can gather, strategize, and swap tales of epic victories and crushing defeats. My vision is to create an environment where collaboration is key, just like a well-coordinated raid.

But I’m not on this quest alone. Nope, I’ve got a squad of dedicated editors who’ve volunteered to join me on this journey. They’re here to help publish and spread the word about your epic gaming stories. Teamwork makes the dream work, right?

What Is Fair Game in ILLUMINATION Gaming

Now, let’s talk about the exciting stuff — what kind of gaming stories can you unleash upon our battleground of pixels and joysticks?

Well, the options are as vast as a sprawling open-world RPG. Here are some ideas to fuel your creative gaming quests on ILLUMINATION Gaming:

Personal Gaming Odyssey: Share your own epic tales of gaming conquests, defeats, and unforgettable moments.

Game Buzz: Dive into the world of current and upcoming games. Tell us about the latest releases, exciting announcements from developers, and the hottest trends.

Platform Power: Explore gaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube, or discuss the ins and outs of app stores and launchers like Steam and Epic Games and how they shape the gaming landscape.

Level Up Your Channel: Drop some knowledge on how to grow a gaming channel, enhance your streaming setup, and master the art of content creation in the gaming universe.

Quality of Life Hacks: Share tips and tricks for improving the gaming experience. This could include anything from in-game enhancements to tech recommendations for gamers.

NFTs and Gaming: Dive into the exciting world of NFTs in gaming, whether it’s virtual reality, augmented reality, or blockchain-based collectibles.

Future Tech in Gaming: Explore upcoming tech that’s set to revolutionize how we play, from new consoles to innovative controller types and input methods.

Community Building: Introduce apps and programs that help gamers connect and build communities outside of the game, like Discord.

Science Meets Gaming: Delve into the scientific aspects of gaming, including discussions on health and well-being related to it.

Behind the Scenes: Take us backstage with articles about the architecture, design, development, and implementation of online games. This includes diving into gaming codes and scripts crafted by developers.

Gamers Unplugged: Showcase gamers through interviews, gaming videos, or podcasts attached to short-form stories. It’s like putting a spotlight on the heroes of the gaming world.

Epic Gaming Visuals: Spice up your stories with gaming photos from events and the gaming industry. And if you’re hosting or know of any gaming events, consider this your personal invitation to share the excitement.

As you can see, the world of gaming is vast, and you’re the adventurer charting its unexplored territories.

ILLUMINATION Gaming is your canvas, and every gaming aspect is your paint. So, whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a fresh-faced recruit, there’s a place for your stories here.

And the best part?

It’s not just about writing; it’s about building a community, sharing knowledge, and having a blast while doing it.

So, let’s get those creative gears turning, and together, we’ll level up the world of gaming writing.

If you’re itching to embark on this gaming adventure with us, you can request to join ILLUMINATION Gaming via this link where we keep a registry of our writers.

New Submission Guidelines for ILLUMINATION Gaming Creators on Medium

Welcome to ILLUMINATION Gaming, where creativity and camaraderie reign supreme!

As fellow gamers and storytellers, we’re thrilled to have you join our quest for epic gaming narratives. To ensure we’re all on the same questline, let’s go over the guidelines:

Originality Is King: All the loot in our treasure chest of stories must be yours and yours alone. No duplicates, no plagiarized content. We have a strict zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism, and stories must be as original as your favorite easter egg.

Link It Up: When your stories have been on other platforms, make sure to include a link to their origins. No duplication is allowed, but you’re welcome to re-purpose content as long as it’s accompanied by the original source link.

Urgent Missions: In rare cases where time is of the essence and your story is in urgent demand, exceptions can be considered. Don’t be afraid to ping me, Dr Mehmet Yildiz, or other editors on our trusty Slack workspace for a chat.

A Picture’s Worth: Every gaming story deserves a few stunning screenshots, right? Make sure each story includes at least one photo. These images should be copyright-free and flaunt clear captions with image sources. If it’s your creation, don’t forget to mark it with a ‘photo by author.’

Stock Up on Images: For images, venture only to the free stock sites like unsplash.com, pixabay.com, and pexels.com. It’s the best way to keep our content dragon-free from copyright issues.

Taking a Break: Feel free to step out of the gaming realm whenever you like. No penalties for withdrawing your articles to explore other publications. Your success is our ultimate quest.

Player Profile: Give us a glimpse into your gaming soul. Feel free to submit a bio that introduces your gaming journey, goals, and anything else you’d like to share. There is no character limit here; go wild!

All About Disclosure: Got some affiliate links up your inventory? Share them with pride, but don your honesty armor and disclose them when you do.

Engage or Evade: We’re all about immersive storytelling, so make sure your narratives aren’t the snooze-fest of yesteryear. Keep our readers on the edge of their virtual seats.

Medium Rare, Not Well-Done: We don’t demand perfection, but our readers appreciate a well-cooked story. Self-editing is your trusted sidekick; grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors are the final bosses to defeat.

Truth Seeker: In the realm of writing, honesty, and accuracy are the knight’s code. No misleading or deceiving fellow adventurers.

Formatting Magic: Ensure your scrolls are pleasing to the eye — correct fonts, sizes, and headings. Formatting isn’t your nemesis, and we’re here to guide your way.

Images to the Point: Each image in your tale should wield relevance to the topic and appeal to the audience. Please consult our image policy for further enlightenment.

AI Guardians: In our sacred gaming halls, we don’t summon AI-generated content. This is a realm for human tales and adventures. But if you have AI-generated content, you can send it to the Lampshade of ILLUMINATION.

Except for the Lampshade of ILLUMINATION, our publications don’t accept AI-generated content. You may learn about our AI writing policy.

Here’s a checklist to make your gaming stories gleam like a freshly polished sword.

- Envision your ideal reader and tailor your story accordingly.

- Offer valuable insights and takeaways that resonate with your audience.

- Keep your writing clear, smooth, and engaging.

- Review your story as if you were an editor, and use tools like Grammarly.

- Make sure your introduction connects effectively with the conclusion.

- Keep readers engaged with lively language, analogies, and metaphors.

- Present your main points clearly and ensure your messages are understandable.

- Be honest and authentic in your storytelling, aligning your content with its purpose.

- Pay attention to formatting, including titles, subtitles, and images.

- Review your story for errors, verify links, and seek external input when tackling complex or controversial topics.

Remember, our goal is to create a realm of captivating stories and unforgettable adventures for our readers.

While we treasure quality, we understand that every adventurer’s journey begins with a first step, and we’re here to support your growth.

So, sharpen your keyboard, brew a potion of creativity, and embark on your next quest in ILLUMINATION Gaming. Together, we’ll craft legendary tales worthy of a top spot on the leaderboard.

Let’s Meet Editors of ILLUMINATION Gaming

Aiden (Illumination Gaming), Dr Mehmet Yildiz, Dr. Preeti Singh, The Sturg, Kurt Dillon, Mert, Nurma Komala-Hadi, Philip Writes, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Nuno Campos, Mashrur Arafin Ayon, Shahzaib Malik, ChloeChing627, Abraham Bamidele, Mike Broadly — Healthier Lifestyle, ILLUMINATION, ILLUMINATION Amplifiers, and ILLUMINATION-Curators.

A Little About Me

I write articles in my field covering gaming, film-making, social media, and design. I am also a YouTuber. Thank you for subscribing to my account to get notifications when I post on Medium. I also created a new website to share my content for free and promote stories of writers contributing to my publications on Medium. I have a Substack newsletter. Let’s connect on Twitter and LinkedIn.

I own two publications on Medium. One for video gamers and another for YouTubers and Podcasters. I also support Illumination Integrated Publications as a volunteer editor and participate in collaborative activities in the Slack Workspace. Writer applications for my publications can be sent via this weblink. Please add your Medium ID.

You may also consider being a Vocal+ member to monetize your content. I write for both platforms and repurpose my content to reach a larger audience. Here is more information about Vocal Media. I also enjoy email marketing using Cliqly.

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