Oops. Sorry, Christine. It was a slip I missed in editing the post.
I want to make clear that I have no problem with reputable micro-presses. I've seen some gorgeous work come from them, especially in the literary and scholarly-works fields: many poetry chapbooks, some limited edition artists' books, and one spectacular photography and archaeology book that a friend of mine produced in tandem with his museum exhibition. My friend's book sold out the first 50 printings, and is up to (I think) 300 or more. But the exhibit has been up for almost a year, and is still drawing buyers. He's just barely breaking even with the print costs, but the advertising for his photography business is worth it.
However, sell-through on a print run of 1000 is rare and takes some time and marketing savvy. For too many new writers, the lure of simply 'being published' overcomes the patient effort to become published well.
Good agents can match books to many markets, and get the most profit possible. From what I've read in her interviews, Dawn may not have the background and contacts to do this yet. It's sad that so many of us can't help her get that experience, thus possibly leading to her eventual failure as an agent.
But here I have to be firmly selfish. My wonderful, darling mms is ultimately a product of little more abstract worth than the commercial art that pays my bills. I don't ship art to designers who fail my background checks, who have no real or virtual gallery space, and can show me no industry contacts beyond a vanity poster publisher. Why should I be less diligent with my writing, that actually takes more of my time than my art?
Filigree