Well done, Mimosa! You find it daunting at 68? WOT? Only 68? You probably have years of productive creative work ahead. I wrote my first novel at 74 and have moved on to a couple more. I chose self-publishing for two reasons: first, because I had already wasted time and effort trying to get agents and publishers interested and secondly because the actual process is not hugely expensive. And I believe, not at all daunting, if you can avoid certain (usually expensive) pitfalls.
As one who has been through the minefield, I would be happy to help if I can. I cannot claim to be any sort of expert in self-publishing but I have learned quite a lot about the process along the way. I'm afraid that I have found that the only near-certainty for authors of a certain age (ahem!) is that no literary agent is even remotely interested in taking on someone whom they perceive to be in the first stages of rigor mortis. Unfair ageism? Of course it is, but I've had some very flattering rejection letters, even from agents who agree that my work is what they call "commercial". They mean saleable.
So do press on with self-publishing. You will find that there are dozens of ways, not all expensive, of widening the availability of your work, "exposure", they call it. However, having it on virtual shelves world-wide is no guarantee that you will achieve any sales. But it does help. If you think that I may be able to help you, please contact me; I'll do my best.
