You may not know that I’ve had the honor of being Freshly Pressed a couple of times. You probably didn’t notice the pop-up box containing a list of Freshly Pressed posts that appears every 3 seconds on my blog, the fact that I use “Freshly Pressed” as a tag on 97% of my posts, and I bet you totally missed the 8-foot tall, flashing, neon sign that says “HEY, SUCKAS, I’VE BEEN FRESHLY PRESSED!!!” that lights up when you first arrive here.
You know I don’t like to brag – tooting your own horn is so tacky – but I am being forced to lay aside my natural modesty and reticence about this accomplishment because WordPress is covering the topic today on The Daily Post. Cheri Lucas Rowland’s article is a fascinating look at the Freshly Pressed process from the standpoint of both editors (yes, real people choose the posts) and bloggers. Yours-Truly is one of the bloggers who was interviewed for the article. Please go check it out.
Incidentally, I learned that, while they don’t really keep track of such stats, I do NOT hold the title for most Freshly Pressed posts. That honor apparently goes to some dude who has been FPd something like 16 times just because he takes pictures that are so beautiful they make people weep.
Pfffft.
A roundtable of bloggers and editors:
Paula Reed Nancarrow, Paula Reed Nancarrow
Peg Schulte, Peg-o-Leg’s Ramblings
Stephanie Summar, Listful Thinking
Krista Stevens, editor
Michelle Weber, editor
Cheri Lucas Rowlands, editor
The editorial team behind The Daily Post works on other projects such as Longreads and Freshly Pressed. On Freshly Pressed, which you’ll find in your Reader, we share top picks, community recommendations, and our favorite reads. Freshly Pressed has evolved over the years: it began as a developer’s Hack Day project to showcase user-made content on the WordPress.com homepage, and has become a favorite space to discover standout posts and new bloggers.
The So You Want To Be Freshly Pressed support page explains what we look for, although these are merely guidelines — there’s no magic formula to be featured. We, too, are people who love to read. We look for posts that are thought-provoking, inspiring, unexpected, unique, relevant, and resonant. We’re…
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Peg-o-Leg's Ramblings 
I’ve only had the honor once, some years ago, but I remember it fondly!
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It is a bit of a rush, isn’t it?
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That’s awesome, Peg. Congrats on being interviewed!
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Thanks Carrie. It was fun!
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This is something that will not happen to me – but it’s only myself to blame for – why do I insist on writing the majority of my posts in German? I don’t even envy you for your 10 (or so) FP – as I have come to the conclusion that too much traffic might even have a downside. I am pretty dark in my humour. Not everybody can handle that.
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There isn’t really a downside, but they did ask for both pros and cons, so I answered.
The language barrier does make it tough for us to come visit you, but I think I could handle your dark humor.
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Well, I am the one who on the funeral of my much beloved grandma, when the reverend had reached the “ashes to ashes, dust to dust”-part was complaining “Dust? Grandma was a proper housewife, she would have never endured dust!” … Not everybody can handle that kind of humour.
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Hmmm. I guess I can see where very sensitive types might have an issue there.
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Some might take offence as I built a joke around religion, others because I made a joke at a funeral … I can SEE how it is inappropriate – still I could not help it – humour is the one thing that gets me through life.
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Well, I think it was funny.
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Well, me too – that is what alienates me from sensitive types.
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I’ve been FP’d once. It was cool and completely overwhelming.
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It is, isn’t it? I kinda knew I’d get grief for saying there could be any downside, but what the heck.
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It’s a great article Pegoleg, really helpful tips about blogging – aside from the inside know-how on life for the FP’ed. Best of all it brought me to your blog.
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Thanks so much Jill. I’m glad to meet you!
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Look at you! SUPAHSTAH!! (my SNL Mary Katherine Gallagher impression)
Loved the entire interview. What everyone said was spot-on. I had to add in my comments over there that FP really needs more humor. I mean, for the love of god, it’s all just so serious and depressing over there at FP headquarters. I’m a fan of the though-provoking read and yes, serious stories need to be told. But there is hardly ever any humor up there!
Funny stuff is always underrated. And incredibly hard to write. Sure, I could spew off a sad post about how Mr. Skittles is now penniless and destitute thanks to me not being FP’d in eons. That would be easy. But to write humor? That should be honored. (and I should be FP every day of the week and twice on Sundays)
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Thanks, o bud o mine! I so agree. A couple months ago I counted and there were twice as many posts on transgender as humor, and this was BEFORE the Caitlyn Jenner kerfuffle.
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I am afraid that if you do try to write about Mr. Skittles being destitute, it will still come out funny.
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He’s pretty much comedy gold.
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No, I meant that it would be all your fault if write a funny post.
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I don’t think there are any lows to being Freshly Pressed – first you feel like the school’s most popular kid, and three days later you get your life back from all these comments and obsessive stats-checking.
But congratulations on making it into the Daily Post! I am curious, though – given the choice between Daily Post and Freshly Pressed, which one would you pick?
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There aren’t really lows, X, as you know, but they ASKED for some. It is a let-down afterwards, at least for me. Three days later I’m STILL doing the obsessive stats-checking, and there’s now nothing there. I feel so loved when everybody is stopping by, then – zip.
The Daily Post is interesting and I’m super glad to have done this. It’s hard to compare the two because they attract different audiences. Can I say both…plus going viral on the inter webz?
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I am feeling generous today, so yes, you can absolutely have both. And the viral thing. And a six-figure book advance. If only any of that depended on me…
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Sounds good to me. Now all I gots to do is write that book!
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Congrats!
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Thanks!
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yvw.
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FP is so quirky. But if anyone deserves repeated applause, it’s you. Congrats! (again)
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Thanks, Philmo!
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You’re such a super star, Peg. Being on the editor’s radar has to help. It just has to. Not taking anything away from you, mind you. You deserve every nod you’ve gotten. Not in the nodding off way, mind you. Oh, I think I’ve said quite enough. 😐
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No,no, I think you’re right. Didn’t one of the editors say they have 55 million blog posts per month – MILLION! – they can’t possibly read through everything. It has to help to already know somebody’s work.
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Of course! Now, Peg, tell them about me, would ya?
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This is one dilemma I’ll never have–and I’m cool with that. But I feel *seriously* cool hobnobbing with FP royalty here. What’s the bloggy equivalent of caviar? And who carries your tiara?
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Funny you should ask. I happen to be looking for a new tiara-bearer. No pay, but the position comes with loads of personal satisfaction.
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I’m in awe of you, Oh Mighty one. 😉
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Awe is all very nice, but nothing says lovin’ like cold, hard cash. 😉
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Your check is in the mail.
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I read the article via the Freshly Pressed Twitter feed, which I’m obsessed with since I was Freshly Pressed in May. The upside goes without saying. The only downside is that the bar was raised so high that I don’t know if I’ll reach it again. But, at any rate, the article was great and I’m already trying some ideas mentioned there. Congratulations to you!
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Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed. You’re right about it raising the bar – I guess that gives us something to shoot for.
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