Ask your local independent bookstore to rustle up a few copies for you. You'll probably have to call first and have them order it. And go get yourself a good therapist. For aspiring cartoonists, here's my advice. Think about the goings-on in your town or city and use them as strip material.
Local editors eat stuff up that is relevant to their community.
Try school papers, newsletters in your office, community bulletins. Also, check out books like The 2000 Artist's and Graphic Designer's Market by Mary Cox. They have addresses for venues to send your art that you might never think to explore. There used to be a book called the Cartoonist's Market , but it is now out of print. Someone borrowed the one copy I had, but I can't remember who it was.