You should read https://www.lilithsaintcrow.com/2024/04/we-gotta-talk-about-publishing/ “We Need to Talk About (Trad) Publishing”
She’s absolutely correct. I was flirted with by one of the majors, sent them 11,000 Years and a copy of the review that was in the May-June ’22 Asimov’s, at the editor’s request, in Aug. of ’22. In mid-Nov, I sent a polite email, inquiring about a time frame for the decision.
Two weeks later, I got an email saying “end of the month” (that is, Nov ’22).
Between the beginning of Feb ’23 and mid-March, I sent three polite emails, asking what the decision was.
With no response at all by the end of March, I turned to my old editor from Ring of Fire Press, who was with a new press, and asking me to come in.
I did. And got responses to my emails. And worked with the way I hoped for an editor to work with me.
I still have to do most of the marketing, but Novus Mundi’s giving me everything else I wanted.