I don’t know how it is in this case, but here’s how I think it is in general. A budding author has now got to be their own publisher, editor, promoter, public relations specialist, social media guru, etc. It is just too much - enough to make one long for the bygone era of “gatekeepers”. And even if you are more successful than 95% of the ambitious, the pay-off in recognition and, yes, money, is apt to be rather slight. It doesn’t surprise me in the least that people give up.

Personal aside: Something I just love about my retirement on a smallish Social Security benefit deep in the Mexican hinterland is the complete freedom from trying to instrumentalize my interests and passions. I don’t need to make a buck from them by teaching, or writing, or doing anything at all. I don’t have to concentrate on whatever subjects might provide a return (likely a small one!). Screw it all, I’m beholden to no one but me. What do I want to read, look at, listen to, think about today? It’s delightful. 🙂