I read about 50% of the letter (http://www.sebastianmarshall.com/an-open-letter-to-simon-and-schuester-ceo-carolyn-reidy http://www.sebastianmarshall.com/an-ope

I read about 50% of the letter (http://www.sebastianmarshall.com/an-open-letter-to-simon-and-schuester-ceo-carolyn-reidy http://www.sebastianmarshall.com/an-open-letter-to-simon-and...) What I felt was unprofessional behavior on the part of the publisher was not sticking to deadlines for payment. However, I did feel that the author complaining his ideas for jacket design were not taken seriously is a bit diva-like behavior. I do think, that with all the software tools we have out (spell checker, grammar checkers etc) it should be quite possible to self-publish (using a print on demand service for example, and for ebooks, perhaps you can even design your own site). The only thing I think is how will your book get publicity if you don't have a publisher behind you. Perhaps Cory Doctorow's model (of putting samples on line) is good, but how do you get your initial break?