@Fretum: So true what you said about cost not always meaning scam. It’s weird – some people will drop 1k on a laptop without blinking, but expect editing to cost fifty bucks. If someone’s helping shape your voice, they deserve to be paid. That said, yeah: not everyone charging is legit. Your point about separating grifters from professionals is important. I think I needed to hear that right now, honestly.
I think it's because people don't differentiate between the publishing variants. For them, self-publishing must be as free as if they had been published by a traditional publisher. You don't realise what the publisher is actually investing in you.
The result is that many unedited books with photos from the last holiday are published. Just because you can choose a cover picture yourself and a friend who is good at grammar can correct the mistakes for free.
So you don't have to be surprised if nobody reads the book.
if your self publishing(finding a printing company) (finding a independent editor) then yes obviously all costs come on you. to do the edit, illustration, print and distribute
however if a publishing company show interest of making your book where your pitching them to take you on under their label and they want a cut of the profits then they should take on the costs. especially if its using their own inhouse talent to edit, illustrate and such
this is usually where they cover the costs to get your book into stores fully production ready, and they take the rest of the profit to cover their upfront costs after you take a royalty. if they see your story is very intriguing or is worthy of a series of books. they would also offer you a stipend to cover your living costs whilst you further develop your story
but yes there is a big different between a publishing company vs a self print self publishing model
the biggest emphasis is some people that want to self publish try to find volunteer editors and make fake promises of % of profits later. however this is where the book writer is trying to scam independant editors. because many scam book writers just want to abuse other skilled eople for a one time use with fake promises of ongoing royalty.. so just make things simple pay for the time you use
Basically, as an author you always pay. The only question is whether you pay before or after publication. Of course, your own financial risk is lowest if you are published by a traditional publisher.
Unfortunately, there are not many opportunities there. That's why more and more people are opting for self-publishing and service publishers are becoming increasingly popular. I don't know what the situation is with literary agents; they are more common in the English-speaking world and are not yet so widespread in Europe. At least as far as I know.
It's like everywhere else in life, if you need (professional) help, you have to pay for it. Of course, you can also look around to see if you can get it cheaper. If you have a friend in the industry or know people in this field privately, it's probably easier. Some people also offer to do things for you via social media.