How Gatekeeping Keeps Writers Out and Why It’s Time to Break the Cycle

Let's Begin with a Necessary Disclaimer

This isn’t the usual conversation about publishing, but it needs to be had. At the end of the day, the purpose of this article is not about discrediting the professionals who work tirelessly in the industry. Editors, agents, and publishing teams put in the work, and their expertise is real, but alongside that reality exists another: a system that has, for too long, thrived on exclusivity, confusion, and gatekeeping. The purpose of the conversation I hope to have with you today is to pull back the curtain, break down the barriers, and ensure that writers at every stage understand the big picture, because the more you know, the less power the gatekeepers have.

For too long, the literary world has built itself on exclusivity, making success feel like a long shot for most writers. But what if those barriers weren’t as real as they seem? Traditional publishers take on only a tiny fraction of unsolicited manuscripts—less than 1% ever make it to publication. The odds are stacked, not because there’s a lack of great writing, but because the industry thrives on scarcity.

Rewriting the Rules: How Gatekeeping Keeps Writers Out and Why It’s Time to Break the Cycle

For centuries, the literary world has wrapped itself in a cloak of exclusivity, making writing and publishing feel more like a secret society than a creative pursuit. Whether it’s bureaucratic bloat, expertism, or jargonization, the industry thrives on the illusion that only a select few are worthy of calling themselves writers. And the more complicated they make the process, the harder it is for outsiders to break in.

But this isn’t just a publishing problem. It’s a systemic phenomenon that appears across industries—from law to medicine, tech to finance. Overcomplication and exclusivity concentrate power in the hands of a few, creating artificial barriers that prevent talented and capable individuals from accessing the opportunities they deserve. Industries rely on complexity to maintain control, making simple processes feel insurmountable, whether breaking into journalism, understanding the stock market, or navigating the hurdles of starting a small business.

This isn’t to say that these industries, and the professionals within them, aren’t doing incredibly specialized and important work. The expertise of doctors, attorneys, engineers, and publishing professionals is undeniable. Refining their skills takes years of dedication, study, and real-world experience. The goal here is not to discredit the work they do, but to acknowledge that the way their industries function often makes it harder than necessary for newcomers to enter, thrive, and contribute. The literary world, like many fields, tends to reinforce exclusivity not to maintain standards but to maintain control.

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