Big news this #WIPWednesday! And somewhat unexpected.
As is evidenced by the existence of this blog, I usually share what I'm working on and planning well in advance. But with this project, I took a new approach. I didn't set myself up to fall short of any goals or deadlines. I just did it.
I created a brand new Medium publication.
Visible Bi+ is a space for members of the Bi+/MSpec community to share their voices. We’re striving to increase authentic visibility and dispel the many misconceptions which fuel biphobia and bi-erasure.
Those of you who have followed me for a while might be surprised – is this me picking a niche?!? Well, no. But, to be fair, it is beyond what I would have expected of myself.
This isn't me picking a niche because I have not committed to write solely about this one topic, or to even write enough about this one topic to build a whole platform on it. I'm still the niche-avoidant, you-get-all-of-me, writer I've always been. What this is, is me creating and maintaining a space for others to write and share their experiences. This is curating a collection of diverse perspectives on this one topic.
I am now the founder, contributions managing editor, and social media admin of Visible Bi+. For this type of Medium publication, the editor/publication does not make any money off of their writers’ work and receives no compensation for the time and effort spent creating, maintaining, and promoting the publication. Medium is ad-free, so even Medium isn't profiting in the ways typical outlets do (they, instead, sell optional memberships).
I've essentially taken on an unpaid volunteer position in hopes of helping the Bi+ community gain visibility (and in a way that is respectful of writers as they retain all rights to their work, have the option to try to earn money on Medium, and do get proper "exposure" with direct credit to their own Medium profile).
The part that is beyond what I would have expected of myself falls into the promoting category as I'm now the social media admin of both Twitter and Instagram accounts for Visible Bi+ – and we all know I am no huge fan of spending more time on social media. But, I started out with reasonable expectations and a plan to keep the time and effort required at a sustainable level. *fingers crossed*
The idea for this publication took shape as I was drafting a new essay for #BiHealthMonth, "Visibility Matters." When I started writing about my bisexuality, late last year, I noticed that there were no active Medium publications specifically for the Bi+ community. There are some great publications that service the LGBTQ+ community as a whole, but I was looking for something more.. niche (oh, I am a tangle of contradictions, I know). Those first essays, I decided to self-publish. But, with this draft, when I couldn't find what I was looking for, I decided to create it.
I've been writing on Medium for more than four years now, but I'd never tried my hand at running a publication. I didn't over-plan with my typical numerous checklists or even overthink as much as usual. I just kept doing the next thing. Before I knew it, I had not only set up the publication but also created a logo and tagline, written the "About" section, set up coordinating social media accounts on Instagram and Twitter, written the "Write for Us" submission guidelines (I've since edited them numerous times as different questions were posed), and hit publish on that draft that started this ball rolling. I then settled on a format to follow for promoting the stories on social media and created the necessary templates. I created graphics to call for submissions and was excited to quickly get a new writer, some social media followers, our first story submitted and published, another new writer, more followers...
The publication launched on 14 March 2022 with just me and my "Visibility Matters" essay. And, 16 days later, here's where we are now: Six people have requested to be added as contributing writers, two of them have written already, three of their stories have been published and promoted, and the Instagram account already has its first 100 followers.
So far, I'd say this endeavor has been rather rewarding.
All this was, understandably, the bulk of my work, this month. But, I do have a couple other updates.
The older piece I mentioned submitting for syndication last month was accepted. Filter Free Parents ran it with the new title:"Men Having Long Hair Is Not A New Radical Idea – And I Don’t Need Your Opinion On It" (coincidentally, it went live on my birthday).
I made a couple new graphics for my writer social media and continued my Instagram #NoticedMoments series.
And, I'm still waiting for the HrtWarming syndication I mentioned the editor reaching out to me about, last month.