The phrase "to get a publisher" means finding a company or person who will agree to print and distribute your book or other written work. Full definition
If you can't get the publisher on the phone, don't do business with them. (entrepreneur.com)
About crowd funding, because two of my books have been funded through crowd funding, which is one way of getting a publisher's advance without a publisher. (thecreativepenn.com)
As an author never get a publisher on your bad side as your work is likely to suffer, when all is said and done choose your battles carefully. (changingthescript.com)