The publishing world offers authors many options: traditional, self, and hybrid. All follow the golden rule; He puts up the gold rules.
There are many considerations, all determined by who is footing the bill. You are either being paid (through advances and royalties) and your product is owned by a publisher, or you are assuming all knowledge, responsibility, and costs, or you are paying for experience and expertise, retaining ownership and editorial input.
Scary, yes. Navigable, absolutely. You will leave with understanding and a direction for your publishing project.