Walter Rhein Podcast

Why Do Writers Refuse to Recognize the Corruption of the Publishing Industry?

6 min · 23 de jun de 2026
Portada del episodio Why Do Writers Refuse to Recognize the Corruption of the Publishing Industry?

Descripción

I’ll never get a big 3 publishing contract because our literary community is just a propaganda empire owned by oligarchs. But YOU allow me to keep writing! THANK YOU! Thanks for your support: 30% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/b66e5c2e] 💙 40% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/01f1b0e8] 💙 50% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/0d3e6643] 💙 60% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/6a8f4788] There are none so blind as those that will not see and writers are among the very worst. When scholars look back on this era, I expect they will lament the complete lack of support for any sort of creative movement. I’ve been a writer all my life. It’s not a choice, it’s a calling. When I started off, I honestly believed that if I wrote something good and meaningful, it would find an audience. Today, I’m fifty years old. I’ve written articles that have been shared hundreds of thousands of times. I’ve developed huge followings on a number of platforms. There is an audience out there that hungers for a different narrative. But I never anticipated how much censorship and oppression I would encounter. This is supposed to be the “land of the free” and the “home of the brave.” It is neither. Instead, we live in a propaganda society that deliberately censors vitally important narratives. Our literary mechanism is run by powerful people who have no need of releasing quality products. They are of the class that prints their own money, and they’re part of an establishment that suppresses rather than elevates important voices. “Maybe your work is just terrible?” It’s astonishing to me how many writers are willing to believe the false narratives of our time. They fall for them hook, line, and sinker. It’s comical how many people who consider themselves “critical thinkers” are willing to repeat corporate narratives that passively justify oppression. Look around people! All you have to do is examine news stations, and movies, and public education and you see that white narratives are overrepresented at the expense of everyone else. When you are scanning the radio as you drive down the highway, you’ll hear thirty selections from today’s most overplayed pop stars, and not a single protest song. They are programming your mind into a passive state of obedience. Yet, when I talk about this, even with educated people, they tend to think that I’m the one at fault. They blame my work for not being good enough, rather than even entertain the possibility that there might be flaws in our system. These haughty comments come from people who themselves have not earned a major contract. How is it they can’t see that any insult they apply to me must also cast shade on them? Thanks for your support: 30% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/b66e5c2e] 💙 40% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/01f1b0e8] 💙 50% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/0d3e6643] 💙 60% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/6a8f4788] “Where’s your contract then?” I’ve been working in this industry long enough to know the difference between bot swarms and the ill-conceived comments of otherwise intelligent people. It doesn’t escape my notice when somebody reads my title and then scrolls to the comments without even attempting to absorb the argument. I can detect that in three words. Dishonest interactions give themselves away. Most of the time they reference arguments I’ve already dismantled in my text. I don’t care how accomplished you think you are, don’t leave a comment without doing me the courtesy of reading first. That’s disrespectful. But for the life of me I can’t comprehend how the academic community can be so intentionally obtuse. It’s as if they think their compliance with the false standard of major publishing virtually guarantees them a contract. We have accomplished scholars in positions of power who are willing to self-censor themselves throughout their entire lives because they don’t want to risk their chances of landing a six figure deal. How can people be so smart and miss something that’s so obvious? You aren’t a “temporarily inconvenienced billionaire.” You’re the same working class schmuck as the rest of us. Deal with reality for a change. Don’t patronize industries that don’t care about you It’s called a rat race for a reason. All we do is chase, chase, chase. Early on we do this because we’ve been deceived by false counselors who manipulate us for their own gain. I’m talking about abusive parents, abusive employers, and an abusive society. They always dangle the promise of reward. All you have to do is give a little more and work a little harder and wait a little longer, and all the riches will come. That’s what they say. But in reality, all you do is work hard all your life, give everything, and receive nothing in return. So many writers are so laser focused on a big three contract that they squander their own talent and time. These are individuals who point to other groups in our society and claim they’re “in a cult.” But they steadfastly refuse to recognize the ways they too have been trained to disregard the evidence of their own senses. It happens to writers all the time. In fact, I believe the proliferation of this unfortunate state of self-delusion is largely responsible for the rapid deterioration of our society. Intelligent people have learned not to say anything “too divisive” or “too ambitious” because they’ve been trained to think that will cut off their chances of some later reward. They’re afraid. Nobody who writes with fear instead of courage will ever write anything of significance. This is your time, don’t waste it I’ve been writing for fifty years not because it’s lucrative, but because I’m stubborn. I firmly believe that I know as much or more about writing than any editor or agent. A statement like that will have all the academics hoping for a big contract to gasp and clutch their pearls. It’s bizarre that otherwise intelligent people still believe that wealth equates to competence. We’ve had ample evidence to prove that’s not the case. Look around. The only thing the big publishers have is access to a distribution mechanism and virtually limitless funds. Yet their books continue to fail. The only absurdity is that capable people still delude themselves into thinking this system is legitimate. It’s time for our brilliant community of academics to recognize we are the victims of a oligarch owned propaganda mechanism. Any discerning look at what the big publishers offer will reveal an incomprehensible and unproductive knot of contradictions. Yet our best people blind themselves to this reality out of a sense of false and undeserved loyalty. We will never be free until we have a free press. That means we have to demand that works of merit are allowed to gather their rightful audiences rather than be censored and buried. The publishing industry chokes us with the language of ignorance and hate. Give yourself permission to recognize corruption. The path of truth is longer, but it’s the only one that offers any chance of success. Thanks for your support: 30% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/b66e5c2e] 💙 40% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/01f1b0e8] 💙 50% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/0d3e6643] 💙 60% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/6a8f4788] I'd Rather Be Writing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to I'd Rather Be Writing at walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe [https://walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

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Portada del episodio Environmental Destruction as a Manifestation of all the "Isms"

Environmental Destruction as a Manifestation of all the "Isms"

It’s getting to be a long time since I met Elizabeth Silleck La Rue, Esq. [https://substack.com/profile/89121070-elizabeth-silleck-la-rue-esq]. She’s one of my favorite people and she is always a strong advocate for justice. You can find her at the Conscientious Emigrant, where she helps people relocate from the United States. In this conversation we explored Elizabeth’s background in environmental work. Naturally, the same structures of misogyny, shortsightedness, and cruelty existed there as they do in the rest of our society. Recently, the Republicans decided to allow a mining company to begin work upstream from the Boundary Waters [https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/16/minnesota-boundary-waters-mining-congress.html]. Mining can’t be done cleanly, so toxic chemicals are likely to destroy that absolutely pristine environment. You know, the Republicans just refuse to allow our kids to have drinking water or a nice place to play. It’s so infuriating. The cost of restoring the Boundary Waters will be higher than whatever metals they manage to pull out of the ground. The fight continues. I hope you enjoy this conversation! Make sure to subscribe to Elizabeth! Thank you Robert Danna [https://substack.com/profile/198756983-robert-danna], learnercurious1 [https://substack.com/profile/63453271-learnercurious1], Lynn [https://substack.com/profile/444604104-lynn], PaulM [https://substack.com/profile/196283569-paulm], Kim Meldahl [https://substack.com/profile/112040339-kim-meldahl], and many others for tuning into my live video with Elizabeth Silleck La Rue, Esq. [https://substack.com/profile/89121070-elizabeth-silleck-la-rue-esq]! Join me for my next live video in the app. Thanks for your support: 30% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/b66e5c2e] 💙 40% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/01f1b0e8] 💙 50% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/0d3e6643] 💙 60% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/6a8f4788] I'd Rather Be Writing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to I'd Rather Be Writing at walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe [https://walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

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Hello Friends! I recorded this video a while ago with my good friends Peter W. Murphy [https://substack.com/profile/173393587-peter-w-murphy] and Ben Ulansey [https://substack.com/profile/134571827-ben-ulansey]. It’s some good, lighthearted banter. I hope it helps you relax a little bit! Thanks for your support: 30% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/b66e5c2e] 💙 40% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/01f1b0e8] 💙 50% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/0d3e6643] 💙 60% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/6a8f4788] Thank you LeftieProf [https://substack.com/profile/116079548-leftieprof], Jack (he/him) [https://substack.com/profile/394852192-jack-hehim], Sandra [https://substack.com/profile/18011536-sandra], Jason Gael [https://substack.com/profile/565121-jason-gael], Pam Wade [https://substack.com/profile/25727938-pam-wade], and many others for tuning into my live video with Ben Ulansey [https://substack.com/profile/134571827-ben-ulansey] and Murphy [https://substack.com/profile/173393587-murphy]! Join me for my next live video in the app. I'd Rather Be Writing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to I'd Rather Be Writing at walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe [https://walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

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Portada del episodio Using Public Funds for Public Good with Congressional Candidate Ginger Murray

Using Public Funds for Public Good with Congressional Candidate Ginger Murray

I always have a lovely time talking to Ginger Murray for US [https://substack.com/profile/441682414-ginger-murray-for-us]! She is one of three candidates running a cooperative campaign. By that I mean that the three Democratic candidates are all friends. They support each other. They know what’s at stake. We cover everything in this talk from surveillance centers to election integrity. Ginger is a lawyer and she’s a fierce advocate for the rights of women and children (which is exactly what we need). You can find out more about her on her web page here: Gingerforus.com [https://www.gingerforus.com/] On Wisconsin! We’re going to win! Please don’t forget to support me if you can: 30% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/b66e5c2e] 💙 40% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/01f1b0e8] 💙 50% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/0d3e6643] 💙 60% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/6a8f4788]. See you next time! Thank you A. Eevie Bateman [https://substack.com/profile/443649430-a-eevie-bateman], Jason Gael [https://substack.com/profile/565121-jason-gael], Mandy Ohman [https://substack.com/profile/183065704-mandy-ohman], Joanna [https://substack.com/profile/326427240-joanna], PaulM [https://substack.com/profile/196283569-paulm], and many others for tuning into my live video with Ginger Murray for US [https://substack.com/profile/441682414-ginger-murray-for-us]! Join me for my next live video in the app. I'd Rather Be Writing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to I'd Rather Be Writing at walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe [https://walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

26 de jun de 20261 h 24 min
Portada del episodio Traditional Values Are to Blame for Mass Shootings

Traditional Values Are to Blame for Mass Shootings

Please support me if you can! Thanks for your support: 30% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/b66e5c2e] 💙 40% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/01f1b0e8] 💙 50% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/0d3e6643] 💙 60% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/6a8f4788] Many politicians try to politicize the deaths of innocent children by claiming our country needs a return to traditional values. I believe the opposite is true. We need modern values that reflect our ever-developing understanding of the human experience. There’s plenty of evidence that so-called traditional values are the toxic influence that is destroying our country. Contrary to popular belief, traditional values haven’t gone anywhere. They can be seen in the blatant bigotry towards the LGBTQ+ community. They can be seen in the ever-present misogyny and toxic masculinity that manifests in an ongoing attack on a woman’s right to reproductive health care. Our country has many problems, and rigid adherence to traditional values has largely helped create these problems. Mass shootings are not a new thing, they’ve been going on for decades. The only thing that’s different now is that shooters have easy access to military-grade weapons. The obvious truth is that the world is in a constant state of change. Tactics that worked in the past are no longer relevant in our new reality. Many of the problems in our society are a direct result of attempting to force an outdated solution on a modern problem. American society always goes into the future kicking and screaming. It’s embarrassing that the country that was the first to get to the moon resists progress like a child throwing a temper tantrum. The only responsible action is to understand that traditional values are no longer relevant. We can no longer accept non-solutions that are disguised as traditional wisdom. We can’t take the lazy intellectual approach of assuming that the past was somehow a better age. That’s a fantasy. It’s time to adopt a philosophy that actually has a chance of correcting the problems we face today. Religious leaders make calls for mass violence The dirty secret hidden in plain sight in the United States is that there are many individuals with massive platforms that regularly make calls for violence. Take, for example, the case of the extremist pastor who called for people to be shot in the head [https://www.thedailybeast.com/texas-pastor-dillon-awes-of-stedfast-baptist-church-calls-for-lgbt-people-to-be-shot-in-the-back-of-the-head/]. When a pastor can stand at a pulpit and call for citizens to be shot in the back of the head, you have a clear source of the violence that plagues our whole country. Words matter, people listen to pastors. Some people see pastors as sources of authority that go beyond our law. Our media needs to be more honest about the influence American Christianity has in inciting people to violence. Whenever there is a mass shooting, everyone is quick to turn the blame on things like video games. Why is it that we fail to criticize pastors and politicians who routinely make calls for violence [https://aninjusticemag.com/republicans-glorify-racial-violence-and-lunatics-answer-the-call-4a8c8e671e25] in their sermons, speeches, and political propaganda? Even pastors who don’t make such extreme statements as the one quoted above contribute to an anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. Hate speech is handed down to children and normalized through traditional values It’s shameful that you can’t escape hate speech even if you are attending a high school graduation. A recent speech earned criticism for invoking homophobia under the guise of biblical principles [https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/hateful-anti-lgbtq-graduation-speech-ohio-high-school-sparks-outrage-rcna31917]. American society is extremely tolerant of these backhanded insults. For some reason, when people talk about traditional values, they always forget to mention showing a little bit of respect for the other people in your community. Instead, it’s considered a traditional value to berate innocent bystanders for their sexuality. People do things like that on a regular basis, and there are organizations in our country that applaud them for their offensive behavior. The worst part is that when a high school graduate makes ignorant statements like this, they represent something that has been handed down from the parents and the community. The child has been conditioned with hate beliefs that are delivered under the guise of traditional values. Traditional values connected to mass shootings I’ve been reading a memoir about a family that suffered an unspeakable tragedy. The book is titled Sins of the System: Trauma, Guns, Tragedy, and the Betrayal of Our Children [https://www.amazon.com/Sins-System-Tragedy-Betrayal-Children/dp/B09SPC54NG/]. This book explores the years of anguish that come with an incomprehensible act of violence. The American media only covers shootings for a couple of weeks before moving on to the next shooting or another big news event. Our country almost never takes time to responsibly explore the true pain of these tragedies. A little over a month ago, my community lost a 10-year-old girl who was murdered and raped [https://aninjusticemag.com/the-news-no-parent-ever-wants-to-hear-b75ca5c89728]. That, too, was national news for a few days. The reporters are gone now and the pain is still here. What I’ve had to endure from that experience allowed me to recognize the truth written in the pages of Sins of the System. The book is heartbreaking because it reveals the shooter was exposed to systemic abuse that included what I interpreted as both physical and psychological torture. Some of these deplorable acts had their roots in strict adherence to traditional values. What makes this scenario tragic is that our society has advanced to the point where a child should have access to proper medical treatment. Our science knows how to correct these debilitating problems and avoid tragedy. Traditional values prevent our society from listening to the answers! We are then condemned to endure unbearable tragedies again and again and again. A massive percentage of our population reveres the concept of traditional values to such an extent that they are conditioned to disdain scientific advancement. We saw this play out during the pandemic when the ignorant masses defiantly refused to wear a mask even to save the lives of vulnerable friends and relatives. Reverence for traditional values is killing our children The absurd reverence we show to the concept of traditional values literally leads to people getting killed. It’s become normalized in our society to disregard the opinions of disciplined individuals who have actually made amazing intellectual achievements in their field. Instead of heeding the advice of a legitimate expert, our society is more inclined to listen to the ignorant words of a pastor who compares mass shootings to drunk driving [https://medium.com/afrosapiophile/mass-shootings-to-drunk-driving-b6d1f35c807e]. A pastor is a traditional authority figure, but there’s nothing in the Bible about AR-15s. Pastors aren’t equipped to provide us with an answer on this issue. The continuing fixation on traditional values is holding our whole society back. The United States has become a nation of entitled ignorance. Our media has been weaponized to program the population to accept ineffective solutions to a wide swath of problems. Too often, the phrase “traditional values” is just a code word for a return to a time of ignorance, bigotry, and hatred. Traditional values were conceived in an era that has passed. Many of them are no longer relevant, and the ones that still are relevant are rarely mentioned. Think about this the next time a politician tries to politicize the mass murder of children by making a call for “traditional values.” Traditional values are not the solution. Traditional values created the mess. Please support me if you can! Thanks for your support: 30% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/b66e5c2e] 💙 40% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/01f1b0e8] 💙 50% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/0d3e6643] 💙 60% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/6a8f4788] I'd Rather Be Writing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to I'd Rather Be Writing at walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe [https://walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

26 de jun de 20267 min