Hi, Pam!
I'm counting on us both having our new books at the 2006 Book 'Em!
I understand completely about the self-promotion. It doesn't matter how large your publisher is, it is still up to the author to promote their own books. Selling the books is a full-time job in itself, as you well know!
I don't know how long it will take for DVP to release "Ricochet" after I submit it. "The China Conspiracy" was almost a year in production, I think... Haven't thought much about a cover design, yet, though the first chapter begins with an explosion, so that would make an interesting cover...