I hate to be that person, but my two-cents is that sadly and unfortunately, traditional publishing is still the best option.

The best way to get a traditional publisher is to suck it up and write a marketable book (even if it's not what you want to be writing long-term), get an agent, and sell that first. Then you can get paid for short stories, poetry, novellas, etc. in the future.

Is any of this easy? Hell no. Does it take 4-5 years minimum? Yes. But is it worth it? Yes.

It took me over two years (or over eight, depending how you look at it) to get an agent. My coauthors and I still have to write "marketable" books for before I can write powerful literary works on social justice.

But it's worth it. If you want to make bank in the long-term on your writing, it's the best way. Plus agents and editors are professionals for a reason. No matter how good a writer you think you are, you'd be better with a professional fixing your work.