Self Publishing....

Funny...when I obtained the copyright for 'Where the Sun Sets' I was told I should expect many offers in the mail from self-publishing companies...it took three years to receive any...the first to contact me was Author House...the second was Book Surge...both of whom still send me mail...while Book Surge interest me the representative I was assigned to was very indifferent...she changed my name every time she corresponded...major turn off for me...Author House never assigned any agent...just informational letters from time to time...while I was busy straightening up the mess I called my life I shelved both and relied on an agent...my agent, while sweet as pie, had her own personal issues throughout the contracted time period and therefore did little or nothing to promote the sale...as most of you now I spent the whole of July querying every agent known to man kind...those gracious enough to respond have been posted here...hundreds have not yet responded...currently I am in three houses but all three had rejected me just days prior to asking for the manuscript...all of this has left me confused as to the whole publishing aspect...as most of you know I am in the process of acquiring the rights to a beautiful photo for the cover of 'Where the Sun Sets' (viewable @ www.autuorannmarie.com and clicking the corresponding link)...after sitting down with my three sons (single mother of three here) I have decided to self-publish if not under contract by January...one of my sons is special needs and mom promised him a couple years back that she would take him to Disney once she was published (ever confident her novel would be an overnight sale) ...well this poor little guy still talks endlessly about the autographs he will acquire...the sights he will see...he has it all mapped out...so for today I ask of you...what is your experience with self-publishing...who is good...who is void...who do you trust...who works for you