I think I will follow your good example. I didn't realise it mades such a difference. I'd rather have more readership than the handful of dollars !

As for sending articles to publications - I agree - when no-one even notifies and after 2/3 days, of waiting I tend to withdraw my article.

So as editor for Liberation Works, I generally publish the same day or the following day and notify when I have will finish my first read and leave comments for the authored, if necessary.