How is the best way to start the self-publishing process?

[Alya Songstress]

Unlike some other authors, I would actually like to start self-publishing. I know it's much harder work then just giving a copyrighted manuscript to an editor and then sending it off to a publishing company, but I would just like to give it a go alone before looking into that route.

Any tips? I already know that I need to submit a completed manuscript to the Library of Congress for a fee.