So as for how I pick when to submit and when to publish on Medium, it depends on the story and my goals. Sometimes I just want to write whatever I want--the thing that's sparked my interest--without the limitations like word counts or style that off medium publications often have. When that's the case, I publish on Medium. When I want a guaranteed paycheck, I publish off Medium, but I pitch an idea first and wait for it to be accepted rather than write a whole story. Commissioned work is great when you can get it. The bigger ones, like the Atlantic, I would send a story to if I felt like a challenge and don't expect to get in (often you never even hear back). But if you don't try, you never get lucky!