Do You Use EZA to Find Content? Can I Ask You...

It varies by subject. I tend to favor articles that take 600-900 words to cover the topic well. For some topics (and writers), I'll go much longer.

It also depends on what I have in mind for the article. Will it be included in a blog post/article of my own? Added to a newsletter? Posted alone, with minimal commentary?

I used to be able to just drill into a category, and it sounds like I may be able to do that again someday, but for now there's an element of luck to it.

One thing in a good writer's favor is that if I like their stuff, I'll look for their stuff, by author name.

Very. Between that and the title, I'll decide if I want to invest the time to read your article. Tell me what it's about and remember, it's a teaser, so slip in a tidbit that arouses my curiosity.

See above.

It's a judgment call. Like the judge once said about porn, I may not be able to define it, but I know it when I see it. Sorry if that's not much help...

All of the above, with the author's credentials being the least important as long as the article reads as if the writer knows spit from shinola. I also spot check facts and any citations. Blow that, and the article gets flushed without a second thought.

Authors writing for people rather than computer programs. A good article is a one-to-one communication between two people.

Keyword-loaded, formulaic drivel cobbled together to generate quantity of content over quality, in an effort to please an emotionless piece of software.

Yes.

When I syndicate your article on one of my sites, there are two peoples' reputations at stake. You are not doing me a favor by writing your article. I am not doing you a favor by publishing it. That first article of yours that I take a chance on could be the start of a profitable business relationship.