I'm doing this post because I'm sick of answering the same question over and over in forums. So here's what I have to say on this as a writer who has been published in many different media, has successfully self-published a best-selling non-fiction book as well as periodicals and a poetry series in the past, and who currently has books available from small presses on POD format.

I know a LOT about print pubishing, a bit about lulu and LSI, and not much about other POD services. I know and have worked with quite a few publishers of various types ranging from backseat entrepreneurs to people who put out millions of copies a year.

Here's the main thing: self-publishing is a valid form of getting your work out to be read, just as self-employment is just as valid a way to make a living as getting a job from somebody else.

It has advantages and disadvantages, strong areas and weak ones. But it's one tool a writer can use in seeking readership and:

A writer, like any other craftsman, should be aware of any and all tools available to him or her, and should familiarize themselves with everything out there and learn a great deal about the tools that he or she feels offer the best chances of working for what they want to accomplish artistically, financially, or socially.

Obviously self-publishing works better in niches, generally non-fiction. If you think you can write a pamphlet than anybody involved in working on motorcycles would gladly pay for, you're not going to have much luck with big publishers and books stores. But you can publish it yourself and sell it through motorcycle parts distributors and bike magazines and perhaps do quite well.

Very successful self-publishers I know personally have put out books on:
Spanish for restaurant workers
Sex tourism in the Dominican Republic
Extremely sophisticated property tax cheats
A climber's guide to the University of Washington campus
and, of course, my own Mexican Slang 101

But don't let people tell you it's absurd to self-publish anything other than non-fiction.

Do you do poetry readings? Have a following? Think they might spring for an inexpensive volume of your verse? And that maybe a few coffee houses or indie bookstores might carry it? So why not do it?

Let's say you live in Niagara Falls, or near a romantic hotel resort. And you write a romance novel or murder mystery set there. Honeymooners in peril. Think the hotel gift shop and some local stores would carry it?

What I'm saying is: you need to be careful about assessing your chances, but don't let somebody else write you off.

Another thing: sneer at the word "vanity". There is a lot of confusion about POD publishing. Which is basically just a technological advance using computers driving printers that use toner to make impressions (like a Xerox copier) rather than ink. That's all it is. Anybody who uses "vanity publishing" and POD as synonyms is ignorant and you my impression to kick their butt.

But more to the point. Let's say you want to produce 40 copies of a family history to pass out at your next family reunion. Or print up your granny's bedtime stories. Or just have a book out there where people can order it and read it. Is that "vanity"? Or is that the sort of impulse that drives artists to do the nutso stuff we do?

People self-publish in otder to be published. Or in order to get something to print without waiting two years for SImon and Schuster to produce the book. Or because they're rebels and don't like working for big corporations. Or because they want to make money and see a way to do it. Or because they just can't help themselves: they want to have a book they wrote on the table at the coffee house to show to hot women.

Your motivations are your own business. But your business can be run smartly or stupidly. My suggestion is that you take some time to investigate self-publishing with an open mind before writing in off or jumping in with a thousand dollar check to XLibris or some other ripoff outfit.

The other posts in this thread are my attempt to present you with information that can help you make a better decision regarding the wide spectrum of publication possiblities open to writers.
Thank me later for my selfless labor.

Meanwhile, a good place to start, I think, would be THIS CHART.

I see so many people asking about self-publishing in general forums where many people know absolutely nothing about it. (You know, "POD means vanity publishing" kind of responses).

It's a much better idea to ask questions of people who have some experience in being their own publisher. And it is SO ESSENTIAL to learn the ropes of this somewhat boggling and confused thicket of businesses, options, and scams before investing your money, time, and hopes.

Here are few links to get you started on finding out what the deal is before dealing yourself in.


PUBLISHED AUTHORS

Shelagh runs a sprawl of sites, including her ning.com group of the same name, linked-in group, and this easy-access forum.
Some of these people are prolific, knowedgeable self-publishers (Shelagh, for one). Some have done PubishAmerica or other scams and have the scars and tesitimony to back up their advice. Some are authorities on self-publishing.
As with any of these sites, do searches first: you may find your answers are already posted and avoid asking the same thing twice.
A convivial group of people here, tending to be older and more conservative--and thus often wiser and more experienced.


SELF PUBLISHERS PLACE

A forum directly focused on self-publishing. The bad news is that it's not very active. The good news is, there is a LOT of information in the posts and you can search or browse for it.


The POD Forum

Again, experienced voices. It's broken up into subforums for all the POD publishers out there, so if you have questions or interest concerning a specific one, you can find out about it here. A good idea is to first peruse this chart on the same site.


NING GROUPS

The immense collection of social network groups at ning.com is of great interest to writers and promoters.
The lead link above is to the Book Marketing Network, where almost any writer should be registered and participate. Specifically, to the Self Publishing group within that network.
But there are many more sites in the ning.com sprawl and you should search for them from the central hub for NING.com.
A tip: Sign up a "Ning ID" at that site, then you can quickly join all other Ning sites you are interested in without having to repeat all your information and photos, etc.



FONER BOOKS

A HIGHLY knowledgeable guy's blog. Great information here, perhaps a too advanced to interest someone doing the initital sort-out of selfpub options.


AARON SHEPARD

This guy is a leading expert on this stuff. Yes, his site is to sell his book, but he has a wealth of valuable information here for free. Whatever route you take to publishing, there are things here you are dying to know, but just didn't realize it.

HOW TO POD PUBLISH

This primer is hardly the last word, and far from absolute. But it's a good early read for anybody interested in this.

LEO BOECKI

Another site with a wealth of info on self-pubishing. This is a little different, a rather intellectual approach, but some great resources.

PUBLISH ON DEMAND

A site devoted to POD. Examines several of the bigger POD "publishing services", and has some good info charts, such as this one on royalties

And a good early read: Is POD right for me?

This post is to present some charts that might (Or NOT) help unsnarl the bewildering arena of self-publishing...or at least be a step towards the individual understanding writers need before making critical decisions on what to do with their work.

This chart is like Step 1, a quickie attempt to clarify the spectrum of publishing options available. So many people think you either get picked up by Doubleday or slouch off to "vanity presses" (and that POD is a synomym for said). I've tried to show various approaches a writer can take, and hopefully there is something there for everybody. I welcome any additions, corrections, or criticisms of this chart.
Range of Publishing Options

Okay, so what if you think you're best served by a POD "publishing service" like lulu or iUniverse or.... like I said, bewildering thicket of choices. This is a rapidly changing landscape and no guide will be complete, but the two here should be a big help in sorting things out, at least to make a start.
List from POD.net

This is a much more comprehensive chart, though necessarily somewhat incomplete and outdated. But perhaps the best one available on the net. A really big, hard-won layout.
Books And Tales POD Forum