Started applying today to put my feelers out there to see if anyone even responds. Like the best I can find is $18 an hour factory work. This was the same kind of work that existed during covid, nothings changed! It's still shit!!
Why let publishers gatekeep you? Indie publishing is easier than it's ever been (not joking). You do probably have to make a deal with the devil (Amazon), but it's definitely doable.