Getting distributors and/or retailers to carry your games...

I think everyone should read not just the part on marketing but the whole story. I do especially like the Final Thoughts page where he says, “Obviously, making a profit was not an initial motivation for the project. I decided that creating the game and producing something original was its own reward. I created a game that I love to play. Anything else that comes of it later will just be a bonus. Besides, I can think of a lot of other hobbies that are far more expensive.” Considering he spent in excess of $10,000 in two years and hundreds of hours on it with little financial return. I would like to know what these other hobbies he is speaking of are.

To somewhat answer the original question yes it takes allot of legwork to get a self-produced game out to the public. I do hand made games and only though luck, diligence and tenacity have I been able to get my retailers to pick it up. I have not gone through a third party for distribution because I produce in small volumes and it would not be of benefit to me at the quantities I deal in.