Adding that qualifier "hobbyiest" makes all the difference and in that we agree. If this is a hobby to you, you shouldn't sink too much money into it because you won't get it back. Of course if you have money to burn, then by all means sink away.

But what you say about publishers is true but even then it's a risk. After all, they may find it fun and it won't sell or they may find it boring and it will sale. There is no guaranteed way to know what a product will do and therein lies the risk. I'm only taking exception to your comment that it is ZERO risk to the publisher when there is alway risk.