Being an author in traditional publishing is such a constant brain somersault. Exciting things happen that you can't yet enjoy publicly, while you're elbow-deep in the late stages of previously contracted work, while mired in the equally exciting & hair-pulling creative quicksand of a fresh project.
Sounds like an advert for self publishing.
Disagree. Self-publishing's own troubles are relatively challenging.
Issues with both, choose what feels less a challenge.
We clearly do it for the dopamine rush, cos we sure don't just do it for the paycheck!
All the waiting makes you feel so confused when things are announced, and you're actually allowed to celebrate. Like months to years after you found out about something people are like "congratulations!!!👏🏽" But you're brain is like..."oh that? who cares? old news. i'm working on something else now"
Exactly! You celebrate everything twice---privately, when you first get the good news, and publicly, when finally announced. But the gap between the you who had a visceral response to that success and the you who publicly performs a celebration can be so wide. A constant double consciousness!