Who Says This Isn't Work?

​I’ve begun the process to search for an independent publisher to accept the third novel on the Ian Murphy series.  I used the same search process with my first novel, Murphy’s Troubles.  I gave myself a year to find a publisher and signed a contract with a small California publisher in the twelfth month of my search. 
I am learning how much the process of hunting for a publisher has changed.  In 2011 I used the Deluxe Edition of Writer’s Market.  I still have the 2010 edition, which I suppose I could use again because I marked all the publishers and agents I sent queries to.  This time I googled ‘publishers who accept unsolicited manuscripts’ and this week developed a list of forty potential publishers.   Next, I am reviewing back issues of Writer’s Digest because they list publishers who accept novels.  My goal is to have a list of 60-75 that I can send queries to.  Who knows what the right number is.
The first time I went down this path I gave myself a year to land a publishing contract.  This time I’ve given myself six months.  Why the change?  For my second book I used an assisted publishing service, CK Books- ckbookspublishing.com.  The owner, Christine Keleny, is editing Dead Reckoning.  If I’m not successful contracting with a traditional publisher I’ll have CKBooks publish my novel.
The requirements for submitting an unsolicited manuscript have changed.  In 2011 I would send a query letter, a synopsis and maybe the first chapter of the book.  Today you need to send a query letter; a synopsis; a back of the book blurb; up to fifty pages of manuscript; your publishing history and a marketing plan.  The marketing plan is a new element.  I suppose it demonstrates to the publisher that you are serious about your work, understand that the author will do 98% of the marketing, and have some hope of success.
In 2012 I wrote a marketing plan that sits in a three ring binder on the bottom shelf of the bookcase in my office.  I will review my original plan, of course, but suspect it is dated.  So, once again, I googled ‘marketing plan for a novel’ and found a wide range of material.  I printed off three examples I liked and will use them as a guide to develop a new marketing plan.
I’m guessing it will take me a month to put together all the elements of my campaign before I send the first query to a publisher.  This is work folks, don’t let anyone suggest to you otherwise.  Writing the best damn book you can is the starting point – not the end.