Self-publishing is NOT a last resort

If you are a self-published author, chances are you've had a few conversations that went like this:

You:  I'm publishing a book.
Your friend:  Oh, really? A publisher picked it up? That's wonderful!
You:  No. Actually, I'm self-publishing.
Your friend:  (blank stare) Oh.

Maybe you were afraid to tell them the truth. Maybe you were panicking on the inside while trying to appear confident on the outside. Maybe you wished you could just suck the words right back into your mouth.

Th...