>>I've also been following self publishing probably for about four years. Not as long as you, probably, but considering that I haven't actually published a book yet, it's a considerable period of time I think.<<

That's an excellent start. Many people are only noticing now that it's starting to make waves.

>>I've listened to writing podcasts as authors literally went from warning against ever self-publishing to cautiously saying that self-publishing is something to consider, to announcing that they are no longer going to be going with traditional publishing at all, and moving exclusively to self-publishing.<<

I've tracked articles rather than podcasting, but have seen a similar trend.

>>Thank you for turning me on to the crowdfunding community! I've heard of something like this happening in a few different places and I'll likely join.<<

Please do! We'd love to have you. crowdfunding is a great place for creators and patrons to hang out. People ask questions, share ideas, and talk about the projects they are doing or supporting. Once a month there is a Creative Jam where everyone can post prompts and create stuff based on whatever ideas come in. That's a lot of fun.

>>I've also heard of Kickstarter as something that several authors have done, for example, to determine whether they'll write a further book in an old series on their backlist.<<

That's a popular one, although there are many other sites too. I have a list of them:
http://penultimateproductions.weebly.com/websites-for-crowdfunding-projects.html

lwe is doing his second crowdfunded Ethshar novel. It was on the second chapter, last I saw.

>>This is one of the reasons I started a blog, for sure, so I could participate in the discussion and learn as well.<<

Same here. My LiveJournal audience is very enthusiastic. The one here on DW is still building momentum.