You bring up some very good points. However, I don't think that this has to do with the ease of publishing. I can 'hear' immediately when something isn't right. It comes from reading thousands and thousands of books.

During my school years, I read between two and four books a day, starting from seven years old (I'm gifted, and people like that, do read at high speeds - not scan.)

That reading gave me an 'ear' for what is good writing. When I write, I can 'hear' what I write. As an editor for two publishing houses many years ago, I could also 'hear' when other people couldn't write.

I think the biggest problem is when people can't 'hear' their own writing. Then I think there are other problems - typos (I cannot see my own typos), and the plot being poor.

Great piece. I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you.