Self-publishing: is it a good idea or a rip off?

[Mrs. U]

You've only queried three agents and you're already ready to give up?

Sweetie, you are not cut out for being published nor are you even remotely ready to be published if you're that impatient. This is not the kind of industry where things happen overnight and you can become a success immediately.

If you want to be considered an actual author then rushing into self-publishing is a terrible idea. You will be lucky if you sell a single book that isn't to a friend or family member and just having a web site won't cut it.

I strongly suggest you put one hell of a lot more effort into querying agents. Do your research, ensure your manuscript is thoroughly edited and polished. Read your query letter to ensure it's at its best. Be sure you're following submission guidelines to the letter and submitting to the right agents for your genre.

You have a lot more work to do. Either get to it or stop trying to be published. Simple as that.