Cannot add new release for new contrib project
It happens because on Media Entity Remote Image (the project you linked):


You aren't the project owner


  

The project owner didn't give you the permission to administer releases


  



As you see in the second screenshot, the checkbox for the Administer releases for the mrweiner account isn't selected.

If it were, you would see an Add new release link right after the Downlaods table, which is empty, for the given project.


   


If you want to be able to create new releases, you need to get the permission to administer releases too. Otherwise, the project owner needs to create the new release.

[Disclaimer: On Drupal.org I have more permissions than a normal user; that is why I see what project owners would see for their own projects.]