Self-Publishing and Amazon (from The Passive Voice)

The story above that one, concerning a class action lawsuit against Harlequin, was also to your point. And it speaks to one reason why self-publishing has grown. Major publishers and agents who don't give newbies much of a chance to get their feet in the door, and publishers, once they've signed you, who screw you over - it's no wonder self-publishing has taken off. And it's not just new authors who have taken this route. Some well-established writers have ditched their publishers in return for total control of their products.