Mike's Engaging Tales from ILLUMINATION Publications — #85
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Chapter 1: Curated Nostalgia Collection
Greetings, fellow readers and friends of Medium! I've put together a collection of 85 lists, offering you a variety of reading choices across different themes. While it's brief, I believe there's something for every taste. My mission is to unearth hidden gems for your enjoyment.
I encourage you to share and engage with the stories you discover on social media. By doing so, we can boost visibility and foster a sense of community among our dedicated writers.
Dr. Yildiz recently addressed the harmful impact of hate speech on social media platforms. As a reminder, our publications strictly prohibit any content involving defamation, discrimination, or hate speech. His insights are worth your time.
I also have some updates for our writers and followers. We’ve launched our latest newsletter, a fantastic resource for new authors. Additionally, we've welcomed even more writers, whose profiles you can explore at the end of this post.
Celebrating Four Years of ILLUMINATION
Our beloved ILLUMINATION has reached its four-year milestone! To mark this occasion, I crafted a short story using a humorous Aussie accent, a departure from my usual style. I hope you find it enjoyable!
We've onboarded over 200 new writers, and I introduced them during my birthday story celebration. Feel free to follow those who resonate with your reading preferences. The community spirit at ILLUMINATION is truly special; it fosters connections between new and seasoned writers, providing essential support in this journey.
Recently, we encountered scammers attempting to sell Medium's claps and highlights on Fiverr. I discovered over 300 individuals offering such services. Please remain vigilant and report these fraudulent activities.
Update on Account Restorations
Our wonderful editor, 🥰Lanu Pitan🥰, has had her account reinstated, much to our delight. Dr. Mehmet Yildiz eloquently shared Lanu's valuable contributions to our platform in a heartfelt testimonial. You can read more about her journey in this story.
Additionally, Ammara Hassan has also returned and shared an intriguing piece. Aiden informed me that Toni The Talker, another prolific writer, is back with us as well. She referenced a story by Scarlet Ibis James 🦩, and I’m excited to share that link.
Dr. Yildiz presented a balanced view on the topic, fostering empathy for both the victims and Medium itself. Having recently faced account suspension myself, I understand the emotional toll it can take. However, it's crucial for the platform to eliminate unproductive accounts.
I penned my reflections on the recent bulk suspensions, which you may have heard about. We’ve also created a concise piece detailing these events, should you wish to learn more.
Aiden's YouTube Insights
Aiden produced an engaging YouTube video for ILLUMINATION-Gaming readers, offering helpful guidelines for boosting engagement. He also showcased our newly boosted stories, which I have thoroughly enjoyed reading.
In a special segment, I shared some boosted tales that truly captivated me. While Aiden focuses on new pieces, I delve into older stories to evoke a sense of nostalgia, occasionally adding in fresh finds based on reader recommendations. Each story is a treasure worth exploring, so dive in and help spread the word!
Aiden's Collections and New Contributors
Aiden has created an impressive collection of 100 lists, continually unearthing stories from overlooked corners. We’ve added new writers today, and their profiles will be available at the end for your exploration and connection.
Another dedicated editor, The Sturg, has joined our curation team and has already published two well-crafted collections. His hard work deserves recognition, so please engage with and share his collections on your networks.
The Sturg's Illumination Editorial Picks: Volume One
The Sturg's Illumination Editorial Picks: Volume Two
Boosting Insights
For those interested in boosting content, Dr. Yildiz recently addressed common questions about Medium's boost program, revealing some surprising insights that resonated with me as both a writer and an editor. I wish I had come across such information earlier in my writing journey. It's no wonder my stories hadn’t been boosted before, but his perspective offers hope.
The ILLUMINATION-Curators compiled our boosted stories from February 2024, showcasing exceptional narratives. They also created a new Reader's Club post filled with fantastic tales.
Recent Interviews
Dr. Mehmet Yildiz recently interviewed the talented writer Genius Turner, whose insights are truly valuable. I encourage you to follow him for more inspiration. I also featured an interview with Shirley Willett, a respected senior writer, discussing her story on the 6th dimension.
Meet the insightful David Mokotoff, MD, whose informative and humorous narratives are a joy to read. I gathered a selection of engaging interviews with various writers, making them easily accessible for you.
Aiden’s Boost Education Series
Aiden has curated our boosted stories, presenting gems from writers like Jozsef Kovacs and Joan Naidorf as part of his educational series on boosting.
Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories: Episode #4
Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories: Episode #3
Monthly Newsletter Highlights
Our new newsletter is now live on Medium and has also been shared on Substack for our subscribers. Check out the updates from the ILLUMINATION Editorial Team for February 2024.
Encouraging Non-Members to Join
Dr. Mehmet Yildiz penned an open letter addressing the significant number of readers and writers who have yet to become members, highlighting their potential contributions to the platform's growth. I believe you'll find his observations insightful.
To encourage non-members, I've compiled a list of boosted stories I read last month, along with my reflections and shared themes within these exceptional narratives. There's something for everyone, covering a broad range of topics and writing styles.
Discover My Favorite Stories and Nominations
Here are some of my favorite stories and notable nominations from ILLUMINATION publications:
- Nuances of Serotonin Syndrome: A Cautionary Note from Dr. Mehmet Yildiz
- Xenotransplantation: The First Pig Kidney Transplant in a 62-Year-Old Man by Dr. Mehmet Yildiz
- Her Son Saw Her in the Shower, and The Sky Was Falling Down by Mike Broadly, DHSc
- How I Improved My VO2max After My 60s with Persistence and Guidance by Mike Broadly, DHSc
- Finding Comfort in Blocks: How Minecraft Helped Me Cope with Loneliness and Grief at 17 by Aiden (ILLUMINATION Gaming)
- Gaming, Fun, and Humor: Lifelines that Rescued Me from Social Media by Aiden (ILLUMINATION Gaming)
- The First and Last Time I Told My Dad "I Love You" by Davor Katusic
- The Best Thing That Can Happen Is Being Underestimated by Tim Denning
- Growing Up in a Homogeneous Land by Rebecca Romanelli
- Death Becomes Us All by K. Joseph
- Can Your Heart Speak? by Annelise Lords
- Reflections on My Journey with Medium by Dr. Mohammad Mursalin
- Intentional Evolution by D. Denise Dianaty
- The Case for Eating More Soup by Dr. Emery Caster, DTCM
- The Need for Transparency Regarding Cyber Breaches by David B. Grinberg 🇺🇸
- Time Rifts 42 — Distorted Time(s) by Frank Ontario
- A Winter's Joy — Heartwarming Tales for the Cold Season by Joanie Adams
- Script Teaser for My Upcoming 'Scams, Spams, and the Medium Drama' Movie by Aiden (ILLUMINATION Gaming)
- The Significance of the New Hampshire Primary: Trump vs. Haley by Brooklyn Muse (editor)
- Life Lessons from a Class in Life by Britni Pepper
- The Importance of Having a Plan B by George "Ace" Acevedo
- Budgeting Secrets for a Life-Changing Experience by Aswathy Ramachandran
- Innovative Cell Therapy for Cancer by Aurora
Thank you for engaging with these remarkable stories.
ILLUMINATION Reading Club #4 ILLUMINATION-Curators
Thank you for taking the time to explore these wonderful narratives. 🙏
Introduction to New Writers
Let’s extend a warm welcome to our new writers who have joined us recently. Please take the time to explore their work, and if it resonates with you, don’t hesitate to connect with them. This is a unique opportunity for both writers and readers to engage and collaborate.
New writers should review the onboarding pack attached for guidance before submitting their stories. Remember, images are crucial, so please familiarize yourself with the image handling policy to avoid returns.
Stay updated on Mike Broadly, DHSc's publications.
If you're interested in more life lessons, I've compiled links for easy access. Your feedback is valuable to me.