The problem might be that there is too many publisher using Gather.
Sublimus, I sent you a LOOONNNG PM!I would suggest to remove Gather. or if you advertiser can have choice of which directory they want keeping ezinearticles as not the compulsory option. Because ezinearticles does have lots of restrictions.
Sdrkee, You must not be thinking right this morning..

Removing Gather and any other directories that have instant approval
would mean a wait of from 4 days to 8 weeks for approval.
Therefore you could not get new links (re:10 link limit), until the article
directory you submitted to approved your article and you had it approved
by C4L.

Which would mean, it might be possible that you could only write 10 or so
articles a month for C4L.
Now, I am one of the many writers who LOVE to write for C4L, but we
must also get credit for articles in a timely manner. So we can obtain
new articles as they become available.
Thus, instant or at least fast approval!

Honey Jo