Need advice on getting a book to a publisher

[Lorem Ipsum]

Several years ago, I had an idea for a step-by-step how to do something type technical manual. My job is kind of specialised, I'm self employed but strangely what I do is also done by literally millions of others who don't have the training, background or skill set that I have and consequently their work suffers for it. This is how I had the idea to write the book, I know that with proper explanation, people could get better at this thing. When I have been in situations one-on-one where I have had to explain something, almost 100% of the time, the other person has complimented me on how I explained it and that they really understand it now. Earlier this year, I found out that some established experts in the field had published a book on the same topic, but I bought it and read it and they don't cover the same things that I do and when they do it's not as in-depth.

 

The big problem I'm having is with motivation. I have written a lot, but I can't find the motivation to finish, mainly because I don't know if I'm labouring away in vain. Sadly, my work is very deadline driven and I guess that's become part of my personality (or maybe it has always been a part, I need a deadline to work towards). When I review what I have put together, I also think that I need an editor to go over it, or a fresh set of eyes as I'm not sure if what I've got is any good.

 

So what I'm asking is: does anyone here have any experience with writing a book that was published? Did you need a literary agent (I've heard that it's necessary)? If so, how do you go about getting one? What would you recommend for someone looking to get published? In the event that I cannot find a publisher, is self-publishing the way to go and why?

[tattoobunnie]

That's why everyone is moving to E-Books - Amazon and I-Books fighting away. Or you create a website, blog, and and put your book on there with a fee to get it.