02/07/2026 Stream of Consciousness Saturday #socs #streamofconsciousness #publishinggatekeepers #digitalpublishing I've never been much of a joiner as in a member of groups/chapters. I was in a 4-H chapter all the years I was eligible (roughly 1964 to 1973), so I did earn the pins that are awarded every so many years. But I didn't belong to any chapters after that until 2005. I had finished my first novel, and I was eager to learn about publishing.

02/07/2026 Stream of Consciousness Saturday #socs #streamofconsciousness #publishinggatekeepers #digitalpublishing

I've never been much of a joiner as in a member of groups/chapters. I was in a 4-H chapter all the years I was eligible (roughly 1964 to 1973), so I did earn the pins that are awarded…

A pop art–style comic illustration divided diagonally by a bold yellow lightning bolt. On the left, a serious-looking man in glasses, a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, and a patterned tie stands beside a printing press, holding an old-fashioned black telephone handset to his ear. He reads from a sheet of paper and says “GOT IT.” in a speech bubble. On the right, a wealthy-looking older man in a suit and gold tie lounges in a plush red chair with gold trim, holding a matching old-fashioned telephone handset to his ear. In front of him sits a glass of whiskey with a single large ice cube. The background features halftone textures and saturated colors in the style of Roy Lichtenstein, with thick black outlines.

Publishing ≠ pure merit.
It’s passing the gatekeeper’s test.

When It Comes to Publishing, the House Rules — how what we read (and believe) is shaped long before it reaches us.

pkahl.substack.com/p/when-it-co...

#PublishingGatekeepers #MediaPower #EditorialBias