Writers can self-nominate stories to be included in ILLUMINATION-Curated

We want to give a pleasant reading experience to our readers with better quality and more reading options. To this end, we are curating remarkable stories from ILLUMINATION and adding them to our special collection on ILLUMINATION-Curated.

The purpose of this post is to invite all our writers to join ILLUMINATION-Curated actively. This initiative is also an opportunity for aspiring writers to be recognized and level up using our internal curation process.

We created ILLUMINATION-Curated when ILLUMINATION was about six months old. The six month period provided valuable lessons. The need for a special collection was crystal clear. Hence, we made an informed decision.

We analyzed the feedback from our readers and writers; and created an innovative publication design for ILLUMINATION-Curated. This design helps us reach our goal of offering high-quality content to our readers while meeting the needs and aspirations of our writers.

We initially invited top writers only. It was a privilege to have the support of around 600 top writers who helped us to establish and create the foundations for ILLUMINATION-Curated. Within less than a month, we built the foundations of the platform and produced excellent results.

The first phase of the pilot project went smoothly and created remarkable outcomes. We are moving to the second phase.

In this first phase, we collected and hosted hundreds of curated and outstanding stories compiled in 17 volumes. These volumes are distributed daily to 10,000+ beta readers. Some stories gained excellent visibility.

You can find our outstanding stories from this collection.

Stories on ILLUMINATION-Curated — All Volumes

Easy access to curated and outstanding stories

medium.com

Just to give you an idea, we attach a screen capture of the key metrics of trending stories on ILLUMINATION-Curated.

ILLUMINATION-Curated is a strategic initiative.

It is not a usual publication. It has a specific mission, clear goals, values, and strategic roadmap. We have a proven track record. The platform is fully functioning. You can check editors, writers, and unique stories hosted on ILLUMINATION-Curated.

Our ultimate goals are to increase views and reading times of stories authored by ILLUMINATION writers and offer outstanding content to our valued readers.

We established a process to publish stories in this publication.

We used three options for articles to be included in ILLUMINATION-Curated.

Option 1

The first one is for Medium-curated articles published in ILLUMINATION. Our writers can remove their articles and add them to ILLUMINATION-Curated. We also give our writers the flexibility to move their articles back to ILLUMINATION, if they so choose.

Option 2

The second option is related to articles published in ILLUMINATION, but not curated by Medium. If these non-curated articles meet our submission guidelines and Medium curation guidelines, they can be selected by our editors using a set of criteria.

The editors approve the article for publication in ILLUMINATION-Curated and inform the writer. The writers can then transfer their article from ILLUMINATION to ILLUMINATION-Curated. Writers will need to request access to the new publication.

Option 3

The third option is the direct submission by approved writers for ILLUMINATION-Curated, meeting all submission guidelines and approved by our editors. We have already selected around many top writers as part of this pilot implementation, and we are eager to extend our offering to more writers.

During this pilot, we tested the process and proved that it worked.

ILLUMINATION-Curated proceeds iteratively in small steps

The second phase of the pilot is on its way.

In this phase, ILLUMINATION-Curated offers an opportunity to all writers.

We offer the fourth option.

Option 4

Self-nomination

ILLUMINATION-Curated established terms and conditions.

Our editors created the platform and will facilitate the process, but the writers need to take personal responsibility for their success. It is a collaborative effort. One way does not work.

ILLUMINATION want pro-active, responsible, collaborative, and optimistic writers. The platform is designed for the success of all participants. It is designed for high performers; not for mediocrity.

Prerequisites to Qualify for Submitting Self-nominated Stories

Writers need to have at least five quality stories on ILLUMINATION.

A writer request should be sent to access ILLUMINATION-Curated. Writer quest to ILLUMINATION-Curated via this link.

Nominated stories must meet Medium rules and Medium curation guidelines.

How to Submit

To submit your stories for curation assessment you can consider the following points.

We recommend writers to self-nominate up to 10 articles per post. These stories don’t have to be curated by Medium, but they must meet Medium curation guidelines.

To create your collections, you can follow these steps:

Step 1 — Select your best stories

Step 2 — Update your stories to meet Medium curation guidelines.

Step 3 — Add your story links to a story using the syntax provided in the next section.

Step 4 — Provide an abstract of the story describing the purpose, impact, and audience of the story.

Step 5 — Explain in a few sentences why your story is to be curated and added to a special collection.

Step 6 — Submit the story to ILLUMINATION-Curated.

You can use the following template to nominate and submit your best stories.

Title for Nominated Story: Self-nominated Stories by [Insert your account name].

Subtitle for Nominated Story: My best stories selected from ILLUMINATION

Please use the following syntax for each nominated story.

1. Title of your story to be in heading one format

2. Name of the nominated topics for distribution. E.g. #relationships #self (you can select up to three topics). More information for topics please see the topics list at the end of this story.

3. An abstract of the story in italic quotes around 75 to 100 words

4. An embedded link to the story.

You can use the syntax I used in this sample collection.

I believe that there will be many collections as part of this initiative. Therefore, please tag me at the end of your story so that I can be notified and add it to our process flow for review.

We have 40 editors dedicated to review and curate your stories on ILLUMINATION-Curated.

Once your story is nominated, our editors will review, discuss, and vote for the inclusion of your story.

We will host selected stories in a particular landing zone as featured articles. I will share the details in a different post as it will be beyond the scope of this story.

Once we publish your story, our editors will leave a brief private message on your story. If you turned off your private messages, you won’t be notified.

If your story is good, but requires minor updates, editors may also leave a private message requesting your work on the story for improvement.

ILLUMINATION offers a Slack group for writers to collaborate and get their self-nominated stories to be peer-reviewed by fellow writers.

ILLUMINATION created a functional platform with supportive writers and readers to help our writers for success.

If our writers take personal responsibility and take advantage of our platform, readers, and process, they can gain new followers, turn the followers to fans, and get visibility to their stories.

We are here to help delight our readers and empower our writers.

ILLUMINATION created several resources to help the writers improve their content. You can find relevant documents via the following links.

How to Transfer an Article From Illumination to Illumination-Curated

Curation Guidelines for ILLUMINATION Writers — In Simple Words

99% Bulletproof Curation Methods That Can 4x Chances of Your Success

To join our vibrant publications, please send a request via this link.