I self-published for years before I even considered using a publication. The first pub I joined I ended up becoming an editor for lol. I like to use that pub, because I can publish my articles as quickly as I want to. 😂 I also love supporting my friends' pubs. For instance, I love Trisha Faye's publication. The only real difference is I get a few random readers from them. I have even been told, "I came here from so and so's publication." I feel like I understand 10% of the things that go on on Medium lol. I just go with the flow. 😂