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

[cathrl69]

Unless you are in one of a very few niche areas then self-publishing is a terrible idea. People do not buy self-published books if there's an alternative. If you read fiction, there are _thousands_ of alternatives.

Basically self-publishing is for amateurs. It's like paying to join your local orchestra. You get to play the big symphonies and be in concerts just like pro musicians...but you're never going to make any money from it, even if your orchestra charges for the tickets.

What I don't understand is why amateur writers are prepared to pay for the privilege. If you want to share your work, you can do it for free online. An average self-published book sells 40 copies, all to family and friends who you have begged to buy it. I posted a story online yesterday, I've done no advertising _at all_, not a single email, and already 72 strangers have read it and 6 of them have reviewed it. Didn't cost me a penny.

(hits refresh) Make that 73.

It's your choice. If you want to be a pro writer you will have to put in the work to find an agent - like someone else said, that may well involve dozens of rejections. If you want to be an amateur (and there's nothing wrong with being an amateur), why pay?