&gt;So, if I publisher snaps me up tomorrow, is The Well suddenly a ‘real’ book? 

That's not for me to say. What is a 'real' book? I suspect most readers buying ebooks have no idea whether they're buying self pubbed or not. If it's well done why should they? You're very wise in paying for editor, proofreader, illustrator and the rest by the way -- and I suspect something of an exception. 

I honestly don't know the answer to the question I set above. It's going to be fascinating to find out. The prizes will, in the end, go to those who stay the course and do things well, and realising you need that extra assistance is one way of getting to both those points. 