Creating a Vibrant Writing Community: SYNERGY Submission Guidelines
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Dear Writers, Authors, and Bloggers,
While ILLUMINATION serves as a broad publication covering various topics on Medium, we recognized the need for a specialized platform where content creators can showcase their writing, book reviews, blog posts, and other related content.
In response to this demand, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz founded SYNERGY, a vibrant extension of ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications, in 2021. Initially named Passive Income for Writers, the publication was rebranded based on feedback from its dedicated followers. SYNERGY is designed to foster connections among content developers, strategists, and marketers.
Advantages of SYNERGY for Writers
SYNERGY is dedicated to creating a platform for freelance writers, authors, and bloggers who wish to transform their blogs into compelling Medium stories. With a focus on collaboration and entrepreneurship, this publication aims to empower writers and elevate their voices, reaching a wider audience.
Our goal is to amplify the perspectives of writers at every level by providing a space for them to express their thoughts, aspirations, accomplishments, and progress within the Medium community.
The true essence of SYNERGY lies in its openness to writers across various platforms, including News Break, Vocal Media, Hub Pages, Patreon, and Substack. This allows them to present their profiles and stories from those platforms on Medium.
SYNERGY functions as a collaborative center where diverse writers come together, each bringing their unique audiences. In this collaborative environment, stories gain greater visibility as writers introduce their readers to new viewpoints on Medium.
Thus, SYNERGY nurtures a writing community that transcends Medium, fostering rich engagement and unleashing creativity across different writing landscapes.
With a strong commitment to both writers and readers, SYNERGY is on the brink of rapid expansion and is set to become an influential publication. You can join us on this exciting journey and learn more about our submission guidelines.
Once you gain writer access, you can submit your drafts. To obtain writer access, please send a request through our writer registration portal, ensuring to mention the publication name in your application.
You are welcome to submit previously published stories if they align with our objectives. If your curated articles pertain to writing and freelancing, SYNERGY can serve as an ideal platform for them.
While we prefer drafts, we accept both drafts and self-published works. Transferring pieces from other publications is also encouraged.
We boast a thriving community where you can collaborate with thousands of fellow Medium writers, contributing to our publications through our free, moderated Slack workspace. Explore specialized sections and community clubs designed to support your writing pursuits.
Thanks to its affiliation with ILLUMINATION, which has over 71K readers, SYNERGY significantly extends the reach of your impactful stories.
As many readers of our publication are also writers, we hold high standards for quality. If you are a new writer seeking to hone your skills, we can assist you in finding volunteer mentors within our Slack community.
We permit repurposing content from your blogs, but please note that our publication has strict policies against plagiarism; we maintain a zero-tolerance stance. We do not accept any plagiarized material. Your submissions must be your original work. If our editors discover any plagiarism, your story will be rejected and removed from our publication.
To expedite the publishing process and comply with Medium's rules, include links to any previously published content on other platforms. We do not accept duplicate content, which violates Medium's regulations. You may repurpose materials from other platforms as long as you provide links to the original sources.
In cases where your content is time-sensitive and requires immediate attention, we are open to considering exceptions. You may also contact Dr. Mehmet Yildiz and other editors via our Slack Workspace.
Images play a crucial role in Medium stories, especially in publications. Therefore, please ensure that your submissions include at least one photo. All images must be copyright-free and properly attributed. If the image is yours, please indicate “photo by author.”
We find it challenging to verify the copyright status of images from various sources. Hence, we only accept images from free stock sites such as unsplash.com, pixabay.com, and pexels.com.
You also have the option to withdraw your stories from SYNERGY when necessary. There are no penalties for removing your articles from consideration for other publications. Our ultimate aim is to support every writer on this platform, as publications are simply tools.
Since collaboration is the essence of our publication, we encourage you to introduce yourself. We suggest that you submit a bio that showcases your writing journey.
Feel free to present your background, goals, aspirations, and anything else you wish to share. There are no restrictions on the length of writer bios, which we use to promote our writers to our readers.
We understand that writers may have affiliate links related to books and writing services. You are welcome to include affiliate links, but you must disclose them.
Ensure your stories are engaging, as many readers prefer lively narratives over dry, textbook-style descriptions. While you may discuss scholarly topics if they suit your content, they must be engaging and beneficial to our readers.
We do not censor content as long as it adheres to Medium’s guidelines.
Given that Medium now requires a paid membership for the Partner Program, we will also feature stories from members of this publication to uphold our high standards and commitment to our loyal readers. However, our other publications continue to support non-members.
Topics to Explore on SYNERGY
You can submit stories related to writing, blogging, and freelancing practices to SYNERGY. Here are some ideas:
- Writing, blogging, editing, and freelancing tips
- Financial and accounting aspects of writing
- Marketing and promotional strategies for writers
- How to market non-fiction, fiction, and poetry
- Business, management, and leadership in writing
- Legal topics such as copyright and distribution models
- Recruitment and job search opportunities in the industry
- Success stories and statistics about earnings across platforms
- Utilizing social media for content marketing
- Networking, collaboration, events, awards, and competitions
- Testimonials and references
- Writing prompts and new opportunities for writers
Key Points for Submissions
- Value to the Reader: Your story should be informative and engaging, providing valuable insights. We do not accept copy-pasted content from the web.
- Reader-Centric Writing: Prioritize the reader's interests when crafting your stories.
- Clarity and Readability: Ensure your writing is easy to understand and follow.
- Self-Editing: Carefully proofread your work before submission to catch any errors.
- Pleasant Reading Experience: Organize your writing well for ease of reading.
- Rigorous Content: Support your writing with thorough research and evidence.
- Honesty in Writing: Maintain truthful and accurate content, aligning with our values.
- Proper Formatting: Follow the correct formatting and ensure visual appeal.
- Relevant Images: Use images that relate to the topic, following our photo policy.
We strive for high quality but do not expect perfection. Our belief is that every writer can improve through feedback from readers, editors, and peers. Our main goal is to ensure our subscribers enjoy a satisfying reading experience.
Except for the Lampshade of ILLUMINATION, our publications do not accept AI-generated content. You may refer to our AI writing policy for more information.
Submission Checklist
Before submitting your stories to SYNERGY, we recommend using the following checklist to align your work with our publication standards, enhancing visibility and reader engagement.
As you gain experience, you may find this checklist less essential over time.
#### 1. Identifying the Audience - Did I write this story with a specific reader in mind? - Is the story aimed at a specific or broad audience? - Is the writing level appropriate for the intended audience?
#### 2. Value for the Reader - What value or insights does this story provide? - Are key takeaway points included? - Are these takeaways relevant and meaningful? - Does the story leave a lasting impression?
#### 3. Readability - Is the story logically structured for easy understanding? - Have I used clear and simple language?
#### 4. Editorial Standards - If I were an editor, would I accept this story for publication? - Have I used tools like Hemingway Editor to assess the writing quality?
#### 5. Coherence - Does the introduction effectively connect to the conclusion? - Can I enhance the introduction’s appeal? - How can I make both the introduction and conclusion more memorable?
#### 6. Engagement - Is the content engaging, or does it feel dull? - Have I used lively and appropriate vocabulary? - Are analogies and metaphors employed to enrich the reader’s experience? - Does the writing maintain a conversational tone to keep the audience engaged?
#### 7. Conveying Messages - Are the main points clearly articulated? - Would a reader grasp the intended messages within the story?
#### 8. Accuracy and Credibility - Have I fact-checked information from reliable sources? - Are proper citations provided for borrowed content?
#### 9. Honesty and Readership Alignment - Is the story presented honestly and authentically? - Is the content aligned with its intended purpose, whether informative or fictional?
#### 10. Reader Experience - Does the overall mood of the story match its content? - Is there a risk of readers reacting negatively to any aspects of the story?
#### 11. Formatting and Removing Unnecessary Elements - Are paragraphs kept concise for readability? - Are sentences complete and well-structured? - Have unnecessary elements been eliminated? - Are obsolete words or phrases removed?
#### 12. Title and Subtitles - Are titles and subtitles formatted correctly? - Is the capitalization in titles appropriate? - Are headings and subheadings concise, not exceeding 200 characters each?
#### 13. Images and Captions - Do the images correlate with the content theme? - Are copyright-free images utilized? - Are images accurately captioned with source links?
#### 14. Addressing Ambiguity - Is the story understandable for the target audience's comprehension level? - Have vague terms been clarified?
#### 15. Tags for Visibility - Are relevant tags applied to reflect the story’s messages? - Is at least one publication tag used to improve visibility?
#### 16. Error Checks for Language - Has a final spell-check and grammar check been conducted? - Is the story free from spelling and grammatical errors? - If unconventional words were used, have they been explained appropriately?
#### 17. Quality Assurance - Has the story been reviewed carefully to catch remaining typos? - Are all typos corrected? - Has a colleague reviewed the story for additional feedback?
#### 18. Accuracy in Numbers and Lists - Are the numbers and bullet points accurate? - Are bullet points consistent and aligned?
#### 19. Verification of Web Links - Do web links navigate to the correct addresses when clicked?
#### 20. Disclosure of Affiliate Links - Are affiliate links clearly disclosed at both the beginning and end of the story? - Are these affiliate links relevant to the content theme? - Could the presence of affiliate links potentially mislead readers?
#### 21. Adherence to Platform Rules - Does the story comply with the platform's rules? - Has specific attention been paid to avoid hate speech or offense to readers?
#### 22. Seeking External Input for Controversial Topics - Have trusted peers reviewed the story for potential issues? - Have suggestions from editors been considered?
#### 23. References and Citations - Are appropriate references provided for cited content at the end?
This checklist is detailed in this resource, provided by our chief editor, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz. This comprehensive version also serves as a guide to increasing the likelihood of crafting viral stories, helping you expand your audience and boost your content's income.
Tips for Enhancing Story Quality Before Submission
Improving the quality of your stories is an ongoing journey. Here are some effective strategies to consider:
- Familiarize yourself with Medium’s distribution guidelines.
- Engage in peer reviews.
- Utilize language and editing tools.
- Submit as a draft.
- Analyze curated, boosted, and viral high-quality stories, learning from experienced writers.
Examining curated, high-quality stories can offer valuable insights into style, presentation, and content. We have compiled numerous collections featuring hundreds of top-tier stories across various themes. You can use keyword searches to discover stories from these collections.
Some popular collection titles to explore include Outstanding Stories and Illumination Reading Club by ILLUMINATION-Curators, Hand-Picked Articles by ILLUMINATION Amplifiers, and Curated Collections by ILLUMINATION.
Learning from the experiences of other writers is invaluable. We have gathered various resources to assist in enhancing your storytelling skills. You can find guiding resources by our chief editor, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, in the attached list.
Meet the Editors of SYNERGY
These editors are fellow writers. You can connect with them through our Slack workspace.
Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, Dr. Preeti Singh, Dr. Gabriella Korosi, Lanu Pitan, John Cunningham, Britni Pepper, Josh Balerite Acol, Brooklyn Muse (editor), Suzanne E., Poornima Verghese-Ram, Surekha Chandrasekhar, Aiden (Illumination Gaming), Elin Melaas, The Sturg, Indra Raj Pathak, Joanie Adams, Nuno Campos, Ntathu Allen (she/her), Nurma Komala-Hadi, Annie Wegner, Philip Writes, Satrio Jagad, Sobaan Saeed, Tarun Bhatt, You, Me and Happiness, Mike Broadly — Healthier Lifestyle, Kim Petersen, ILLUMINATION, and ILLUMINATION-Curators.
Some of these editors have profiles, allowing you to learn more about their backgrounds from the attached collection.
Feedback from Other Writers About SYNERGY
- The Power of Synergy on Medium by Kim Petersen
- Passive Income For Writers by Dr. Preeti Singh
- The Ultimate Collaboration for Writers by Tree Langdon
- Synergy: Mirror Mirror on the Wall by Chelsea Renee MAT
- Is Passive Income Just a Dream? by Karen Madej
- 8 Most Profitable & Evergreen Niches For Writers To Make Passive Income by Lanu Pitan
- Snowflakes: A single icy crystal that has achieved a sufficient size yet negligible on its own by Sumera Rizwan
- You Have No Frickin’ Idea How Dedicated Dr. Mehmet Yildiz is! by jt
Invitation to New Writers
ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications embrace inclusivity and diversity, supporting over 24,000 contributors. Our platform features writers of all levels, from beginners to seasoned experts, delighting our readers with educational and engaging content.
To join our vibrant publications, please submit a request via this link. We will help you gain visibility and succeed as a writer on Medium. Please include the publication name along with your Medium account ID in your request.
ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications comprise:
- ILLUMINATION
- ILLUMINATION-Curated
- ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR
- ILLUMINATION Book Chapters
- Technology Hits
- SYNERGY
- Readers Hope
- Illumination on YouTube
- Illumination Gaming
- Lampshade of Illumination
- Layered Vision — 3D Printing
- ILLUMINATION’s Blog
- EUPHORIA by Dr. Mehmet Yildiz
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