"The rotten side of self-publishing" (Guardian article)

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. I know several authors who are self-publishing their own

back list, and perhaps one or two who are putting out new stuff that way, although I'm not completely certain of the latter.

Even before the scammers, I'd learned that the vast majority of self-published books just aren't worth the effort to read them. I write a bit myself, and occasionally someone will enthusiastically tell me I should self publish. Oh, dear lord. I need all of the editing and real help that any fledgling writer needs.

I personally know two people (one of whom is here on DU) who also run businesses to aid people who want to self-publish. Both of them started out traditionally published and they absolutely have the skill set to assist writers.