Why I No Longer Write on Medium

Or, more positively, why you should join us on Substack

Okay, it’s fair to say I don’t publish here anymore.

At least, I’m not inclined to introduce new work here. And there’s a basic reason: No engagement.

It wasn’t for lack of trying: I experimented, reached out to other publications, editors, writers — all to the sound of chirping crickets.

Then I joined author George Saunders’ Substack and was delighted by what I saw (even plunking down a yearly subscription because, okay, okay, it’s “famous writer George Saunders” — still, inspiring)…Check it out for yourself. How he does it is beyond me (without a staff of George Saunders-like assistant-bots), but that’s the definition of engagement: what’s working for his subscribers is giving back to his work as a writer. It’s nearly a symbiotic relationship.

Which is something I wanted when I tried to introduce my book idea here on Medium. I was hoping to develop the project and get feedback, but it’s actually working better on Substack since I started it there this past January.

And guess what? It’s free! (For now; hoping to introduce paid subscriptions later in the year or early next year — audience willing.)

So.

I hope you’ll at least check it out. We have a current cohort of about 90 subscribers and they seem engaged with the content. Maybe you will, too!