Meanwhile, new authors weren’t selected for voice or merit, but for whether they fit the ideological checklist. Readers weren’t starved anymore. Related: DEI vs. Story, Part 5: How Publishing Lost the Plot: The Writer’s DilemmaReaders Find New PathsThat’s when the rebellion began. The rebellion is ongoing and permanent, because once readers discover their power, they never give it back. Catch up on this series:Part 1: DEI vs. Story: How Publishing Lost the Plot: The GatekeepersPart 2: DEI vs. Story: How Publishing Lost the Plot: The Awards RacketPart 3: DEI vs. Story: How Publishing Lost the Plot: The Market DisconnectPart 4: DEI vs. Story: How Publishing Lost the Plot: The Silencing of the Straight White MaleAdvertisementPart 5: DEI vs. Story: How Publishing Lost the Plot: The Writer’s DilemmaEditor’s Note: Like so much of the publishing world, here at PJ Media we’ve been dealing with real government suppression of free speech for YEARS.