As an author what is your 'next level' goal?

[Steven]

Rachel,
Only 20? When I started in this business (over ten years ago now), I collected 1000+ rejections, most of them form letters and a few form emails (back then, agents and publishers didn't use email queries so much). A few agents asked to read a MS, sat on it a few months, and THEN sent the rejection, wasting a lot of mine (probably not much of theirs).
I went to POD too. The first was a disaster, the second OK, but they both priced the books too high. Then I discovered ebooks.
I recognize that some people still like print, so I'm trying to add some print books to my catalog.
The cost per book isn't much, but after a few books, it's daunting if sales are low. That's the major reason for me to go with a trad pubber, maybe a small press where you get some personal service--they're like lawyers doing pro bono, making an investment up front (formatting, editing, cover, some marketing) for a cut of future royalties...if they're willing to take a chance on you, of course.
Bottom line: I think an author has to explore all options. If you go indie and hit the big time, those trad pubbers will come knocking on the door! Just consider Howey and Weir.
r/Steve

[Zee]

My 'next level' goal is to start making a decent monthly income from my books. Going about that by building up my backlist :)

[Nik]

Rachel wrote: "My goal used to be to 'get traditionally published'. After 20 rejections from agents I might just change it into 'getting published' or 'getting a freaking agent'
I've worked with a Printing on De..."

The route seems less important these days, as the trad publishers cut their launch budgets for debut authors anyway...
Hope you'll find a path to be content with -:)
Dynamic sifting through alternatives may lead to better results..