Many popular authors are stepping away from traditional publishing houses. 

Recent surveys tell us that successful authors say they do not need a publisher’s help with covers, editing, or advertising because they already have learned how to master these things on their own.

They report that they what they are concerned about is the creative control and ownership of their work, how to grow their sales, and how to get their books distributed into physical bookstores. 

Online classes are offering help in these areas. I have found Reedsy Discovery and DaveChesson’s Kindlepreneur to be the most helpful. 

It takes patience and time to learn from these, however. And once you’ve spent hours taking notes, authors find out that these companies offer their paid services in these areas (if you end up being as overwhelmed me you might look into this aspect…)

Since help is expensive, an alternative may be to form a writing “co-operative” in which authors with various areas of expertise help each other.