Rocky,
Yep, the entire trend has made it difficult not just for freelancers but even those writers who simply want to break in. It's sort of a closed club anymore, one reason I'm really glad to have started in the 1970's, when an ambitious freelancer could get a foot in the door--and pay was better. I also feel lucky to be nearing what most people call "retirement," though I probably never will totally retire.
It's also why Eileen and I decided to go directly to our readers about 10-12 years ago and start publishing our own books and on-line magazine--which doesn't have any advertising.
