THANK YOU NOTES
Thank You for Having a Heart!
With small Medium publications closing, it’s important to remember those that stay focused on their positive mission.
Dear Writers,
I should have more time to write now that it’s winter and I can’t be out in my garden. But I’ve noticed I’m not as motivated to write, at least on Medium. Do you ever have times like that?
I noticed the closing of some of the small publications is part of the malaise. I have stories in drafts for them but just didn’t get them finished. My stories would not have made a difference. I just feel I should have been more supportive.
Some people come to this or any platform as experienced marketers.
They’re highly trained and charge in like steam rollers, letting everyone know how great they are. There’s nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all.
Most of us came as readers and decided to write. For me, losing my job because of the lockdown nudged me into writing. What else could I do locked into my home?
Some of us started small pubs. I started three, Welcome to My Not-so-Fancy Garden, The Daily Cuppa, and The Daily Cuppa Grande. I didn’t know what I was doing. I just had a vision for what I’d write and for whom. There’s a lot of my heart in each.
And I know the owners of many other publications, and their heart is in theirs as well.
Here are ten publications created by writers with a mission to serve writers and readers.
#1 — I love Ali Hall’s publication, Spread the Ripple. She feels kindness is her superpower and wants to see kindness spread around the world. What could be better than stories about kindness?
#2 — Flint and Steel is an amazing new pub dedicated to inspiring writers. Ellie Jacobson is a genius at motivation. She’s created several events like the Friday Freewriting challenge that introduces writers to a different way of tapping into their creativity. She wants to help writers.
#3 — Debbie Walker is a mighty powerhouse. She’s gathered a dynamic group of women to work together in her pub, MiddlePause — but also her podcast, STOMP, and MiddlePause Media. When you submit to this pub, your work will be looked over by a series of editors until it’s polished to perfection. She wants to empower women as they transition through those middle years.
#4 — Nursing Notes is a pub created by Barb Dalton, who is dedicated to nursing and caregivers. This pub is filled with stories about nursing and related issues. I’m excited about it as it’s an underserved area on Medium. The publication accepts well-written pieces about nursing and stories about a favorite nurse.
#5 — Who doesn’t love Trista Signe Ainsworth, the sunshine of Medium. Her pub, Thank-you Notes, is an amazing place to drop a few lines of gratitude, in general, or a thank you to a specific person. Trista just wants to provide a home for stories about thank-yous and gratitude.
#6 — Diana C. created a safe place to explore our vulnerability and healing process. Pieces are honest, tender, inspiring, and reach out for a gentle hug of understanding. She’s temporarily closed her publication, but we’re all stashing stories in our drafts for her return. Her concept is unique and created in the service of writers’ personal healing. We’re waiting, Diana.
#7 — K. Barrett’s pub For Awe is a magical place to drop stories about those special experiences of wonder we treasure. She is inspired by the fact that when we share these experiences of awe; we increase connection with others. How totally wise and heartfelt is that?
#8 — Pene Hodge just started a publication we’ll all want to write for. It’s a special place to share things that touch our souls in special ways. If you know Pene you’ll know she is as genuine as they come. She wears her heart on her sleeve as she touches our souls with her words.
#9 — This is a new publication I’m excited about, created by Jennifer Dunne. If you’re moving or hope to move to paradise, this is the place for you. It’s such fun to read about people making adventurous changes. She wants to help others who are moving to new places.
#10 Jane Frost (Jane Grows Garden Rooms) has a lovely spot to give a home to stories about the gifts of Mother Nature. After checking out her pub, drop over to her YouTube channel to find more delights. Jane wants to help others learn to grow food and live in more sustainable ways.
The creators are all talented writers with high-level skills.
There’s more like them and I’ll talk about them another time. The creators of these pubs have huge hearts and are motivated to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
And they serve their writers! They provide a home for stories and, to varying degrees, edit. It’s not easy. Well, if you have a pub that only you write in like my garden pup, it’s easy. But when you allow submissions, it gets hard and tricky.
These pubs are not organized by marketers that want to use you to make money. Again, nothing wrong with marketers. It’s just a different thing.
It’s more about growing an audience for them-vs- spreading the message kind of thing. Hearts create messages.
I want to thank you for having a heart, dear writers and publication creators.
I admit to moments of wondering about leaving. But then I think about my little pub, The Daily Cuppa, and all the writers and readers, and I love it all so very much.
I love the above creators and their creations. I love the stories I read there and want to help make their visions and positive missions come true. I want to help the writers find their voice and be successful.
Thank you for having a heart. Katie
Thank you, dear reader, for taking your precious time to read my simple story. I value you.
If you’re a publication creator, please drop the link to your pub in the comments so I can be sure to visit and support you. I have my next pub story started but have room for more. I want you to be successful.
Thank you sunshine, Trista Signe Ainsworth, for all your kindness and support of writers on Medium. And thank you for this place for me to go on sentimental journeys.
If you’re not a Medium member and would like to join at this time. Please consider using Nancy Blackman’s referral link. My heart wants you to use her link. She gives a great deal to other writers on Medium and I’d feel blessed if you’d use her link.