Considering that the first draft was finished two years ago, getting it done "quickly" has obviously not been a major factor in my considerations
- though the decision to self-publish is more recent. So many details, things you don't really think about, even if you've heard/read about them before, until you come to do it for yourself. (eg: One I hadn't thought about until very recently was Legal Deposit with national and state library.)
So, yes, I do agree with you, frahse, you have to get your feet wet. The only way to learn what's involved is to go through it - but that doesn't necessarily mean you have to hurry. I've just been chipping away at it slowly (still got to earn a living, and still want to spend time writing new stuff) ... but getting close now, I think/hope.
The "indentured servant" thing was the really the biggest reason why I gave up on the idea of traditional publishing - that and the input from the good folks here on MobileRead that made self-publishing feel like something I really could do.