I sat down one Friday evening after work (this was in the late 90s) and emailed every publisher, big and small that had an email or contact button and introduced myself, showed some samples of my comic writing, and asked if they were open to submissions. Out of all of them I reached out to, I don't recall an actual number, but it was a lot, only one responded and told me that they were a small publisher and were sadly closing up shop.
A year later, I got an email from them again. One of their books had been picked up by another publisher and the scripter of the original decided not to continue with the book. The artist plotted the book and I was contacted and tried out for them. I worked on that book off and on for four years. Having a printed comic in hand helped open doors for me to talk to other publishers.
From there, I used my published work to talk to publishers. I still do that today. Like then, sometimes I get a response. Most of the time, I don't. I keep plugging away, creating comics I hope publishers will enjoy and think I might be a good fit for them.
Timing and luck certainly plays a role as much as talent and ability.
I also write more than comics. That diversity of publishing methods has come in handy. I was hired a couple of years ago to write crime comics because of my crime novels.
Thanks for letting me share.
Bobby
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