Getting a book deal in 2025 as a non "influencer"

I've been a dedicated / pro film photographer for over 20 years, and I’m incredibly proud of the work I've created. Over the past year, I’ve been assembling a themed book of my film photography featuring iconic Portland, Oregon neon signs—a project that I believe will resonate deeply with anyone passionate about the city’s history, neon art, and Portland’s unique character. To my knowledge, no other book like this exists.

I’ve compiled about 75 pages of material, and the book is essentially complete. However, despite reaching out to 70–85 publishers, I’ve received little more than automated responses about open submission periods and one outright pass. Meanwhile, I keep seeing influencers and YouTube film photographers landing book deals with far less depth of work.

That brings me to my question: How does an independent, long-time film photographer with a small but dedicated following get noticed by publishers in 2025? How can I cut through the noise and get this project into the hands of a publisher who will see its value?