Yep, exactly this. I have written three books. Two of them were published by publishers, one of them I self published. I made very little money from the ones published by publishers (even though one is in its third edition!)... and I also had no control over the titles of the books or what went on the covers.

At least the one I self-published, I broke even on and I had control over the entire process. The outcome was gorgeous and something I felt proud of.

Ultimately you write books for the love of expressing yourself.... It is not a money-making endeavor for 99% of authors. The money is to be made in the products you sell *next* to the books...