Advice for Medium Writers Choose Publications Wisely

The Writing Cooperative is one of the most selective publications on Medium. This is part of the publication’s reputation and a testament to my goal of being the best source of writing advice on the platform.

I typically only schedule one to three articles daily, heavily focusing on quality over quantity. This means I reject far more stories than I accept. While I no longer keep weekly acceptance stats, when I did, it often lingered around 20-30%.

Publications on Medium are not created equally. Each is independently managed and sets its own submission rules (or lack thereof). Many publications accept literally every article submitted. While it might be exciting to land in a publication, choosing one of these publications will likely have very little (or no) impact on your views or engagement.

When your story is one of dozens published in those publications that day, it will inevitably get lost in the publication’s feed. Additionally, these publications have zero standards, which means they won’t help you grow as a writer.

Rejection can be frustrating, especially for new writers not used to the process. But I invite all writers to take a rejection as a chance to grow in their craft.

While more selective publications, like The Writing Cooperative, might be harder to land in, they will help you grow. From learning simple things -- like following style guides -- to learning how to rework your piece for a stronger impact. Selective publications like The Writing Cooperative are always better for writers who want to grow.

Granted, more selective publications that are also large may not be able to provide developmental edits on every submission; I don’t. However, I strive to offer feedback on articles that are close to publishable but could use a little help to get across the finish line. That said, even a generic rejection is a chance to expand your writing chops.

Reread the submission rules. Look at the recently published pieces and see what kind of tone or quality the publication accepts. Do your research and then look at your submission without personal eyes but critical ones. See what might make the piece stronger, more impactful, or better aligned with what the publication looks for.

I know writers (especially new ones) don’t want to face rejection, but it’s an important part of the writing process. My early rejections helped me grow. They made me want to be better, to show the publication’s editors I could do it.

Opting for publications with no standards provides a false sense of accomplishment and, unfortunately, only helps the publication grow its audience. Invest in your writing growth by chasing highly selective publications. Strive to grow, to seek feedback, and to be the best writer you can be!