You know what? I think your article alone helped me decide that I won’t seek a traditional or hybrid publisher for my novel. Sometimes, the thought that has been lodged into my subconscious since I was a teen that I’m not a real writer until I’ve been traditionally published still lingers. I think that comes from a time when all there was other than traditional publishers in the “Writer’s Market” were a slew of vanity presses. I’m sorry you went through such headaches, but thanks so much for sharing! I’m sure your story will help a lot of people.