So a year and a half ago I wrote this book: The Dream Map. It was a pretty hard slog, but I made it happen. It was a terrible book needing revision and I didn't realize that, so my first dozen queries were all quickly rejected. After that I went to revision, queried again, and faced yet more rejection.
I was given a chance by one agent, leading to four more revisions. How much revision could one manuscript take right? Unfortunately, things didn't quite work out. Over the last six months our contact grew distant, so I decided to get off my behind and start putting together a campaign.
Which is why we now have the new covers, the video trailer, and all the other goodies now going out into the world. You can't wait on your dream forever. You just have to plan for it appropriately.
I had a similar experience. My manuscript, I believed, was ready to be self-published. All I had to do was hire an editor, wait for her to do her thing, make a few changes that she suggested, and I'd be good to go!
A year later, I'm nearing completion of a total rewrite. Even the things I thought I did well were terrible in the last draft. I'm so glad that I didn't put that crap out there on the market.
Best of luck with your book.
BTW, I've started a feedback group for writers to help one another get better at the craft. It's not for everyone as the plan is for us to be brutally honest with each other, but, if you're interested, you're welcome to check it out: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Thanks.
Brian