Hello Charlie,
Your continued commitment to Steemit and to discovering and promoting new (and yet) unknown writers is genuinely admirable. As you indicate, many great writers are everywhere, not just on Steemit. The introduction into Steemit you give a writer can be just the breakthrough that writer (and Steemit) needs. I believe you, the other whales, developers, and others behind the scenes, are truly commendable for what you have done and are doing with Steemit. Personally, I have found a 'home' here and post as often as I can.
I'm sure you are aware of the effect you and other whales have on so many within this community, however, aside from the fact whales are virtually idolized, no pun intended < on second thought, why not>. Essentially, anyone a whale may promote will receive top votes from most who follow said whale simply because that whale has promoted the person - at least for a while.
Regardless, the person introduced by a whale will be instantly recognized and have a better chance at quickly creating a following than so many struggling minnows who are very good writers, but have no such exposure. As the Steemit community multiplies, posts get pushed down feeds quicker, so those with small followings tend to remain small fish. Building a reputation, even for the greatest writers, becomes increasingly difficult as Steemit flourishes.
Indisputably, it is ultimately your choice of whom you wish to promote and how - within and without the Steemit community. I simply ask to truly search within the Steemit community to find those whom you sincerely feel worthy of a whale's wake.
Oh, and I do enjoy your posts. < Shame on me! I almost forgot to tell you.>
Best to you and everyone in the New Year!
Sophia