Exciting Monthly Recap: Progress, Plans, and Creative Insights
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Chapter 1: July Highlights
Hello everyone,
July was quite a whirlwind, filled with travels across Ireland, Portugal, and Scotland—definitely a month of fun and adventure. On the writing front, I managed to keep up my temporary job focused on human interest stories while still finding ample time to contribute here. Below, you'll see the details of my progress.
As you ponder my achievements—whether they seem remarkable, average, or lacking—please take a moment to highlight the ongoing issue regarding the Partner Program. Currently, it remains inaccessible to many talented writers outside of 33 countries, leaving them unpaid for their exceptional work. If Stripe can expand its services to 47 countries, surely Medium can do the same, right, Tony Stubblebine?
Despite a slight dip in reader numbers, I still consider the engagement I had this month to be quite positive.
> A snapshot of my readership from July—thanks for your support!
Section 1.1: Monthly Performance Overview
This month was a solid one for me. While it didn’t quite reach the extraordinary heights of last month—when I had an unusually high output due to Ulysses—this month was steadier, which I aim to maintain (although I’m aware I’m falling behind as I write!). I was thrilled to produce as much content as I did while balancing multiple commitments. I believe the quality held up well, thanks in part to my Hamlet posts.
Moreover, what truly matters to me is the genuine interaction with many of you—both new acquaintances and long-time friends—who engaged with my stories and shared your thoughts. The sense of community on Medium continues to be my favorite aspect, even as it faces challenges.
Objective Statistics
- Total pieces published: 44
- Pieces exceeding 4 minutes: 12
This output feels optimal for me. If I can nudge those numbers up to around 45 or 46 pieces, I’d be even happier. Considering my travels and a part-time writing gig, I’m satisfied with this output. Notably, 115 pieces I wrote managed to earn at least a cent—over two and a half times more than my July output. That back catalog is indeed paying off, albeit very slowly!
- Total minutes published: 141m (2h 21m)
This figure is more reasonable compared to the previous month when I recorded over double this. Estimating the time spent writing and editing, I’d guess it’s around five minutes for every minute of reading, if I’m working quickly. How do we measure the time spent conceptualizing a piece? That’s certainly a factor too.
Section 1.2: Most Notable Pieces
Top Earning and Most Read Piece:
As usual, the piece that garnered the most attention (1h 57m read) also earned the highest ($5.38). These updates are consistently popular, likely because they provide useful insights for others to gauge their own progress. Interestingly, my eighth most read piece was also my fifth most viewed, although it ranked second in terms of "follows."
My second highest earning article, The Bally Advertiser's Summer Temp, earned $2.15 with a reading time of 1h 23m. Despite fewer reads, its length was impressive at 17 minutes according to the algorithm. Third in line was Expand Access to the MPP, which had a reading time of 1h 19m and generated $1.73. Though it would have been better for it to earn nothing if it meant the MPP could be expanded.
Most Viewed Piece:
In an interesting twist, the most viewed piece this month was the third installment of my Hamlet analysis. It seems to have built on the momentum from the previous parts and tackled a scene that is often overlooked. The second part, Moody Dane, came in close with 89 views, followed by one of my short sci-fi stories, Saturday Morning 2AM: Drunk Again. It seems many can relate to that title!
New Followers:
I was surprised to see an influx of 54 new followers this month. Is this still the Ulysses fandom in action? I’m truly humbled by the interest in my work, especially since I previously thought I’d maxed out at around 300 followers. I hope those of you who follow find enjoyment in what I share, although recent changes in how I see posts make it harder to keep up with everyone.
Did I cover my membership costs this month?
To my surprise, I surpassed my previous month’s earnings. Despite the holidays, I expected a decent month but didn’t anticipate matching June's success. Thanks to your support, I managed over $34.98—more than a dollar a day. While I doubt I’ll repeat this for three consecutive months, I know it’s achievable, and I appreciate you all!
Surprising Stats
My favorite piece this month was certainly The Bally Advertiser, which took a significant amount of time and effort over several months. I had an idea of its trajectory, but it ultimately veered off in an unexpected direction—a testament to the unpredictability of storytelling.
A shorter piece I enjoyed writing involved reflections on past nightclub experiences, where I felt I could have expressed my feelings without fear of being overheard. Although I don’t dwell on the past, this piece reignited some old thoughts.
Engaging Reads:
As always, here are a few remarkable pieces I read this month, along with some favorite comments.
Community Connection:
Lately, I’ve noticed that Medium has stopped displaying pictures of the authors and publications I follow, alongside a count of unread pieces. This was a daily reminder of those I owe engagement, and its absence has impacted my motivation.
Section 1.3: Creative Experiments
I constantly seek inspiration, especially in writing to music. Two experiments this month stood out: one following an idea from a song by Laurie Anderson, and another focused on vulnerability through an organ piece. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcomes of both.
Chapter 2: Looking Ahead
Time flies, and we're almost halfway through the next month! July was slower for writing, but for good reasons, which I’ll share soon. I’m determined to return to my daily publishing habits, as this is where I find the most joy—writing entirely on my own terms, without restrictions or transcription duties.
I also plan to submit to some of the many contests Erica Verrillo features each month! My upcoming play adaptation has shifted to a co-written project for a show in early October, promising to be another exciting venture.
As always, I aim to maintain my goal of producing one and a half pieces per day, targeting around 46 pieces this month. However, given my current pace, 35–40 seems more realistic. The critical factor is to keep writing—Medium’s algorithm is unforgiving to those who go quiet (which I have done a bit lately), and personally, I find it challenging to regain momentum after a break.
What about you? Do you have any writing plans for the upcoming fall?
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