I've was asked to review lots of self-published books when I was a reviewer for several print magazines. Usually — not always, but usually — the self-published books were less polished (and thus less satisfying to the reader) and often had grammatical or logical problems.
As a published author, I am grateful to publishers who have for years taken a risk on me by fronting the money to polish, print, advertise, and market my books. I always thank editors who I compare to someone who tells you your slip is showing or your trousers are unzipped –BEFORE you go out in public.
Yes, they make a profit. But they have families and investors, too, and they deserve to be paid. I don't have the time to hire a staff to do all they do (and not enough hours in the day.)
Do they infringe on my artistic license? Well, it's true they've taken out some of my most cherished passages. (As my agent asked, “did the editor murder too many of your darlings?”) But that's what they're trained in and paid to do. They keep me from my worst self, my purple prose.
Besides, if it's something I really want to say — I have a blog! And can get into trouble all by myself!
