If you’re looking into publishing, there are different routes you can take.
Today’s publishing landscape can be divided into three main categories:
TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING, SELF-PUBLISHING, or HYBRID PUBLISHING.
Each has its own course of action and its own pros and cons.

TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING: the publisher pays for the manuscript in advance (=book deal), incurs all expenses, and takes over all aspects of production, distribution, and marketing. In return, the publisher obtains creative rights and all/most of the profits. 

Pros: scope, reach and ease.
A book deal with a big, reputable publication ensures top-notch production and marketing, as well as distribution to brick-and-mortar bookstores nationwide.
Book sales are typically in the thousands and upward.
Cons: a BIG (and often futile) investment of time and effort to break in.
Most traditional publications may only be approached by a literary agent.
Agents run the gamut and are selective about who they represent.
It’s a little bit like building an acting career: the entire process can take years,
and success isn’t guaranteed. 
Bottom Line: if your goal in publishing is a commercial success, and you have the time to invest, try the Traditional Publishing route first.
You can always decide to self-publish later, but most traditional Publishers will not consider a title that has been previously self-published.

SELF-PUBLISHING AND ASSISTED SELF-PUBLISHING: Technically, you do not need to wait for a Traditional Publication to accept you in order to give your book to the world. You can do it yourself, using online self-publishing tools, and retaining the services of Freelancers where your own skills fall short. You can also outsource the entire job to an Assisted Self-Publishing company (usually for a higher price).
In either option, you incur all expenses and keep all the rights and income.
Pros: You retain full control. You need no one’s approval and operate on your own timetable.
Cons: It’s hard to break through the anonymity zone. Self-Publishing can get your book on all online markets, but no one will know about it. Your chances for commercial success are about the same as for your YouTube channel. Also, you will face a steep learning curve.
Bottom Line: This is for you if your desire to publish and gain some exposure now outweighs that of working indefinitely, towards a higer chance at commercial success in the future.

HYBRID PUBLISHING is a compromise between Traditional Publishing and Assisted Self-Publishing, typically used by small, independent presses. In this route, the publisher and the writer divide the expenses, rights, royalties, and work between them.
How they do so varies on a case-to-case basis. Unlike Assisted Self-Publishers, Hybrids carefully vet the authors they choose to publish under their label.
Pros: you can get the best of both worlds, combining the expertise and support of a Publishing House with the freedom of self-publishing.
Cons: scope. Hybrid Publishers use the same tools available to self-publishers, and their distribution is often only marginally wider. Also, you usually participate in costs.
BOTTOM LINE: this route is for you if you do not want to spend years courting Traditional Publications, but are reluctant to face the unknown field on your own.

Cover design: e-book & soft-cover
Layout design  

Assigning an ISBN number

Creating your website: content and design    

Creating Ingram, KDP, and other distribution accounts + manuscript upload

Pre Launch promotional materials: 3d book mock-ups, author media reel, 

Email Newsletter to bookstores (Design, Set Up, and follow-ups)

Account Set-Ups: Goodreads, Amazon Author Central Page, Draft2Digital Author, Book Bub  

Social Media campaigns

Facebook + Google + Amazon ads 

Pitching articles and booking book promotion interviews with kink-friendly podcasts, blogs, bookclubs, websites, magazines, etc.
Print copies placement in kink-friendly venues

In-person promotions in kink-friendly venues and events

Author events 

A preliminary, one-on-one consultation to determine where you are in the writing process, and what are your needs and options.

Ghostwriting

Writing Coaching

Writing Support Through Content Edits
Proof Reading