Ah the man I’ve been wanting to actually ‘see’ for a long time.
I read your article when Medium wanted change and I thought it was for the sake of making a change.
I feel terrible that many writers who lost a livelihood. But happily many have moved on to bigger things. Some have their own publications which generate a handsome income. It’s been a good catalyst, the change.
What I’d like to know is why writers shouldn’t look to Medium as a source of a mainstay livelihood.
Unlike me, they spend shockingly long hours penning what they do. In a 9 to 5 they’re be working shorter hours and have side benefits. Having said that, obviously they choose the freedom of medium.
It’s a bit cold of you to say that.
And yes, many outstanding writers left. They felt devastated. It WAS their livelihood.
At any rate, it was beyond me, all the rigmarole explaining the change. It didn’t affect me one bit! I was just delighted to have a place to publish.
I’m not here for the money, Tony. I’m a poet and I love it here! This month I made the royal sum of $50. a source of utter ecstasy. Not being sarcastic. I have outstanding fellow poets who follow me.
Medium’s given me confidence and validation and now my book of poetry is being published.
So mine is a pleasant experience.
Very importantly, since I’ve led a very sheltered, privileged life, it’s been an growing/exfoliating experience — I’ve seen the best and the ugliest side of human nature on here, I’m sorry to say.
Medium is not a bubble. It’s a microcosm of real life. Invaluable for me.
So yeah, I’m a pretty happy camper!
But I see the sense of betrayal and devastation some writers feel.
You’ve tried to democratize/homogenize medium. Double edged sword. I’m seeing more and more pedestrian writing. A sense of excellence is lost but you’ve gained in the way of memberships which I suppose is what capitalism is all about. Out of respect for you I won’t call it crapitalism as I usually do!
I’ve been meaning to say all this to you, wasn’t sure you’d even notice.
All the best! ✨💃🏻🙏🏽
