The last line is how I feel. I've self-published about the last 60 articles. And if I did put anything in a pub this year it was after I published it so they didn't change anything. I think it's just different strokes for different folks. I didn't like the changes many editors suggested...some were great. Some were just bad, but they work for free so I didn't hold anything against them. They mostly all do their very best for no charge. But I usually just do my own thing. This doesn't mean I don't ask for critique as I do, with a slack group I'm in who gives constructive feedback. But having random editors I don’t know from random pubs comment, unless it's helpful, just isn't something I enjoy. It's not my full time job so I don't need to play that gatekeeper game. BUT, I only started self-publishing after publishing 100 articles in pubs to build a following. It's kind of hard to get traction on Medium when you are newer without the help of pubs. Catch 22. **I suggest maybe finding a few pubs where you really CAN work with the editors, even small pubs (which are often the best) and publish there. Build a relationship with them then things are so much better** Or keep self-publishing of course! It just may take a little longer to grow here, but it’s all good. Anyway, good luck! I wish you the very best in your writing!