Maybe we should get rid of publishers and the editor (or editor collective) should serve as the imprint. They would still serve as a filter and quality control, but their diminished role compared to publishing houses would allow the autor to retain a fair share from their labours. Authors who forego editing would still exist, aa true indies.

It is hard to see a role for publishers in the electronic era though because publicity, duplication, and distribution are largely being picked up by the retailer. That leaves filtering and editing. Quite frankly, the autor can contract that out rather than being the contractee themselves.