What am I doing wrong?

For context, I self published my first novel in December of 2024, since then I have published another and am currently writing the third (part of a series). My book has reached influencers on tiktok and youtube. I have also gained thousands of followers across both TikTok and Instagram. On goodreads I have over 300 ratings.

Everytime I open Instagram, I see another indie author being signed to a publishing house whose books aren’t far off my own ratios. So I wonder, what am I doing wrong? Perhaps my marketing could be better but I’m still working and learning.

I’m so beyond happy for these other authors but I do wonder—as everyone else—when is it going to be my turn?

For any indie authors who have been signed, what do you think the final push was for publishers to notice you? What is it that they look out for?

Being an indie author is hard so perhaps it’s just one of those days but still, any tips or simple words of motivation hahah?