Thanks for this. I definitely needed it. I'm in the process now with 2 novels and it's driving me crazy. So it's encouraging to see this story.

My first novel was unagented through a hybrid publisher. I'm older and it was the middle of the "plague years." I didn't want to wait around. Getting a novel in print was on my bucket list but Covid had me concerned that the bucket could empty any day. And the publisher used Ingram, so I knew it would get decent distribution. Much better than I could manage through self publishing. So that was my move. It hasn't sold well but got a nice unsolicited review from publishers weekly and others.

But now I really want my next book to be published through a more traditional imprint. I'm not the most patient person, but I'm trying to be! This helps a lot, thanks.