We've known for decades that publishing either needs to offer something more to authors or publishing will fail.
Better editors. Better reach. Better pay....
Publishing has lowered the pay, fired the editors, and their reach is dwindling.
@LianaBrooks Following in case I may learn something useful for my cousin, an unpublished author. I've tried unsuccessfully to get him to try digital self publishing. But he, who knows something about it is determined to find a publisher, and I know nothing of it beyond being a reader.
@walterbays Feel free to send your cousin to my website. I'm a hybrid author and freelance editor. I talk a lot about publishing, writing, and making those choices. I'm also happy to sit down on a video call to chat about all the options.