Chapter 1: Curated Narratives for the Nostalgia Series

Greetings, dear readers and fellow enthusiasts of Medium! Wishing you all a joyful Easter! In this edition, I have assembled 87 diverse collections and lists, offering an array of reading options across various themes. Though brief, I trust there’s something here for everyone. My mission is to uncover valuable stories that may have been overlooked.

I encourage you to provide your thoughts and share the stories you enjoy on social media. This endeavor aims to enhance visibility and engagement for our dedicated and inspiring writers.

Today marks the inclusion of many new contributors, whom I will introduce at the end of this piece. Please take a moment to greet them and help bolster their confidence as they join our community.

Just yesterday, Dr. Yildiz addressed the harmful impacts of hate speech on social media platforms. As you may know, we at ILLUMINATION strictly prohibit any form of harmful content. We do not publish defamation, discrimination, or hate speech, and I encourage you to engage with his insights.

I also have some updates for our writers and followers. Recently, we launched our new newsletter, which will be especially beneficial for emerging writers. With the addition of several new contributors, you can find their profiles at the conclusion of this post and explore their stories.

Our beloved ILLUMINATION has now celebrated four years! Inspired by Aiden's previous video, I penned a lighthearted story featuring my amusing Aussie accent, which I rarely use. I hope you find it entertaining.

We welcomed over 200 new writers, each receiving a warm onboarding package from our editors. I introduced them in my birthday celebration story, encouraging you to follow those whose writing resonates with you. ILLUMINATION fosters a unique environment where new writers can easily connect with seasoned ones—a true hallmark of our publication.

Recently, we faced challenges with scammers attempting to sell Medium’s claps and highlights on platforms like Fiverr. Upon checking, I discovered over 300 such listings. Please remain vigilant against these scammers and report any suspicious activity.

Update on Account Restorations

We’re thrilled to announce that our editor, 🥰Lanu Pitan🥰, has regained her account. Her contributions to the platform were eloquently recognized by Dr. Mehmet Yildiz in a heartfelt testimonial. You can learn more about Lanu’s journey from this story: Why I Firmly Believe Lanu Pitan Is Not a Fraud But an Avid Reader and Valuable Community Member.

Ammara Hassan is also back, sharing a captivating piece titled Hello Everyone! I am Back. Furthermore, Aiden informed me that Toni The Talker, another prolific writer, has returned. Let’s extend a warm welcome to her as well. She mentioned a story by Scarlet Ibis James 🦩 that you might find intriguing: A Collective Voice Breaks Through Bot-Catching Medium Sweep.

Additionally, we’re pleased to have Amir Bibi (Ameer) back in our fold. Amir consistently leaves thoughtful comments and has shared a lovely story titled Healing Power of Positivity. We’re also excited to welcome back Libby Shively McAvoy, Mukundarajan V N, and Leonard Tillerman—let’s give them all a hearty welcome!

Dr. Yildiz offered a balanced perspective on recent issues, and his story deepened my compassion for both the victims and the platform. Having experienced my account suspension a few weeks ago, I understand the emotional toll it can take. However, it’s crucial for the platform to eliminate unproductive elements.

I recently penned my reflections on the topic of bulk suspensions. If you’re curious about the details, we’ve published a brief overview.

Aiden’s YouTube Contribution

Aiden has created an engaging YouTube video for our ILLUMINATION-Gaming readers and writers, providing them with some helpful boosting strategies. He also highlighted our newly boosted stories, all of which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading.

In a special episode, I shared some of the boosted narratives that captivated me. While Aiden focuses on new stories, I aim to spotlight older pieces, creating a nostalgic experience for our readers. I also include a few fresh selections based on my daily reading or suggestions from editors. Each story is a treasure worth your attention. Please dive in, engage, and spread the word on social media, helping these stories reach a wider audience.

I attempted to follow numerous writers I hadn’t encountered before, but I hit a limit of 150 writers per day. I’ll try again soon.

Aiden's Collections

Here is Aiden's latest compilation, featuring my friend's link for anyone interested. He has curated over 100 collections, consistently uncovering hidden gems.

Today, we’ve welcomed new writers, and I’ll list them at the end of this post for your convenience. Feel free to explore their profiles and connect if you find them intriguing. Collaboration is a wonderful aspect of our community.

Another great addition, The Sturg, has joined our curation team and has published his first two well-crafted collections. His dedication is commendable, given the effort required to create these compilations. Please engage with and share his collections on your social media!

The Sturg's Illumination Editorial Picks: First Edition

The Sturg's Illumination Editorial Picks: Second Edition

Updates on Boosting

If boosting interests you, Dr. Yildiz recently addressed frequently asked questions regarding the boost program on Medium, revealing some surprising insights for both writers and editors. His guidance is something I wish I had known earlier, as it sheds light on why my stories had not been boosted, ultimately renewing my hope.

The ILLUMINATION curators have compiled our boosted stories, showcasing exceptional works. Check out the Collection of Boosted Stories from ILLUMINATION Publications — V5.

They have also created a new Reader’s Club post filled with fantastic narratives: ILLUMINATION Reading Club #9.

New Interviews and Highlights

Dr. Mehmet Yildiz recently interviewed the talented writer Genius Turner, whose insights are remarkable. I’m now following Genius to learn from his experiences. You can explore the interview here: Interview with Genius Turner.

I also had the pleasure of interviewing Shirley Willett, a senior figure in our community, and I featured one of her thought-provoking stories about the 6th dimension: Interview With Shirley Willett.

Another enlightening interview is with David Mokotoff, MD, a retired cardiologist whose informative and humorous stories are a delight: Interview with Dr. David Mokotoff, MD.

I’ve gathered several fascinating interviews with writers in one post for your convenience; they’re rich in life lessons.

Aiden's Boost Education

Aiden has compiled our boosted stories, filled with valuable insights. Notably, he highlighted the boosted works of Jozsef Kovacs and Joan Naidorf as part of his educational initiative. I recall he shared some additional pieces previously, likely towards the end of his last video.

Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories: Episode #4

Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories: Episode #3

Newsletter Announcement

I’m excited to share that our new newsletter is now available on Medium and has been posted on Substack for our subscribers: Monthly Updates from ILLUMINATION Editorial Team: February 2024.

Influencing Non-Members to Join

Dr. Mehmet Yildiz penned an open letter addressing non-members, noting that many readers and writers do not contribute to the platform’s growth. His observations are both valuable and relatable.

To encourage non-members, I compiled a list of boosted stories I read last month along with my thoughts, identifying common themes in these exceptional pieces. There’s something for everyone in these well-crafted stories, spanning various topics and writing styles.

Explore My Favorite Stories and Nominations

Here are some of my top picks from ILLUMINATION publications:

• Nuances of Serotonin Syndrome: Experts Warrant Caution for Elevated Serotonin Levels — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz
• Xenotransplantation: First Pig Kidney Transplant in a 62-Year-Old Man — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz
• Here's How I Improved My VO2max After My 60s with Persistence and Guidance — Mike Broadly, DHSc
• Gaming, Fun, and Humor: The Lifelines That Rescued Me From Social Media's Grip on My Life — Aiden (Illumination Gaming)
• When Life's a Ditch — Adelia Ritchie, PhD
• How To Sense Energy in Land and Objects — Rebecca Romanelli
• Taurine For Healthy Longevity: Researchers Are Warming Up To The Idea — Dr. Lutz Kraushaar
• The Neuroscience of Imagery — Lorwen Harris Nagle, PhD
• Determine Your Class as Measured by Net Worth: Are You Low, Middle, or Upper Class? — Toni Crowe
• In the Night — Marie Grace, Ph.D.
• The Reason I Quit Alcohol at a Young Age — Mike Broadly, DHSc
• 5 Compelling Reasons I Fast, Exercise, and Meditate Daily — Dr. Mehmet Yildiz

These narratives and many more await your exploration. Thank you for sharing and supporting these beautiful stories.

Introduction to New Writers

Let’s extend a warm welcome to our new writers who recently joined us. Explore their narratives, and if they resonate with you, consider connecting with them. This is a fantastic chance for writers and readers to engage and build relationships. New writers, please familiarize yourselves with the onboarding pack provided before submitting your stories. Remember, images play a crucial role, so ensure you review the image handling guidelines to avoid any returns.

Thank you for your continued support and for reading these wonderful stories!