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So, I've put this out there before. I guess I'll take another run up the flagpole.
As I see it, publishers offer four services. 1) They weed out bad books. Take Baen: I know what type/quality of book I will get if it is published by Baen. 2) They provide a second set of eyes to edit and guide the book as well as proofreading. 3) They produce the book. 4) They market it.
Along with indie authors, I see the opportunity for a new role of indie 'publishers'. At the first level, its simply a recommendation system. I envision a blog like "books on the knob" except instead of telling us about free books, they would review and recommend indie books. You would follow indie publishers whose taste you trust. They would get paid through their referral links to the stores (Amazon, BN, etcetera).
They also could offer the other publishing services. Consider the production process. Some writers just aren't technically savvy. A skilled indie publisher could convert the book to the correct electronic formats, set up accounts, and upload them as appropriate.
There might even be indie publishers who specialize as editors. John Smith might publish his own novel: "The Depths of Space". However, let's say that Jane Doe has the Midas touch with polishing books. She might talk Smith into allowing her to produce a "Jane Presents" version of the book. This Jane edited version might be sold along side the standard version, except that the Jane Presents version brings a royalty to Jane.
Of course it wouldn't be easy to just put up your shingle to be an indie publisher. You would need to build a following and a reputation. If people begin to trust your recommendations and/or your editing then you can funnel readers to 'approved' ebooks.
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