If you are like me, quite unknown, it is very difficult to get published the traditional way. Most publishers and agents state up front that they do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. And of the many query letters to agents and book proposals to publishers that I wrote, many of them said the same thing, and of course, I got some rejections, but mostly I received no responses at all. Anyway, I’m told it is very difficult until you have a proven seller.
So, I have gone the self-publishing route. More correctly, I have gone the hybrid route. When you self-publish, all the decisions are yours and very little help is given in decision-making, and most importantly, in promotion and publicity.
I still have quite a bit of work to do (like these posts), but my publisher, Christian Book Services LLC., does much more than a pure self-publishing company. For instance, they gave me four covers to choose from (after a little direction from me). Also, they had a copy editor read my manuscript, not only for typos, but for content agreement, phrasing, and overall recommendations. This part was extremely helpful to me.
It’s definitely been an educational journey; however, I’m very grateful for everything I’ve learned (and still learning).
Bill Mountsier