As you see, self-publishing your book has some good potential, but it also requires hard work. Overall, I would say there are two keys to success if you choose to go that route: Quality and Promotion. You will need to make sure that your book is done in the best possible way, that it has the look and feel of a professionally published book. Pay special attention to your cover design, that’s the first thing the book will be judged by. Choose your title just as carefully. Make sure the blurb on the back cover is an attention-grabber, something that will make the person who had picked up your book want to know more. And do not spare any efforts to promote your work. Mark Twain, who had also begun his writing career through self-publishing, walked around his town wearing a bath robe, hoping to draw media attention and get some publicity for his books. I am not suggesting that you should go that far (although after a few unsuccessful attempts to contact local newspapers you might be tempted to); I am only saying that you will need to do your best.