I recently posted about what I look for in a nomination. FYI, I've only ever boosted one piece from the publication I edit. (It's published in Write and Review pub.)

As a nominator, (can't speak for others, but...) I LOVE finding writers who are toiling away on their own, publishing on their own, who have started not so long ago (or been, again, toiling away for some time, undiscovered...)

I know how many solid essays I pub'd here when I started, and for the first couple of years before I --frankly--lost enthusiasm for making between $2-4 each... and went off to greener Substack... Only to write MANY pieces every month and then hit a plateau over there that I still can't emerge from after over 2 years.

When I started here, there were HUGE pubs--The Ascent and PS I Love You were THE two. After huge effort I managed to publish on them, never made much, and then they were gone.

Your one point that stands out is the one about Boost bonus--and thinking that perhaps the piece will get enough views etc without that...and spread that piece around. That makes me Hmmmmm... Other than that, these words of mine are some further thoughts and info.

Frankly, I'm DELIGHTED to have something here, and to DO something that eschews algorithms and 'AI,' and adds a human touch to the thing. We are in desperate need of that.

Peace--

Alison