No, there are many fewer authors
Self-published books are not "authored" and don't count. If one cannot get at least a small press to publish one's book, it is not a book -- it is a term paper, a journal, an English assignment, etc.
My view does not mean that there are not industry overlooked masterpieces that have been self-published. Such has been the historical case, probably usually caused by the author's death before completion, since it took so long to write a book before PCs existed. For example, a larger portion of the Bible was probably lost than published.
The real publishers simply sold out as prices to produce books exponentially increased. I have no doubt that there are many great books in their slush piles and that will never see the light of day.
How many brand new industry published authors can you name during the last decade? Soon, it will be one or two a year, or none, as the industry, including film, finds ways to put new twists on old works that have shown profit in the past. I boycott books and movies, for example, about vampires, werewolfs, Batman, Spiderman,........... I'd probably puke in the aisle if I attended a sword and sorcery film.
The only upside to self-publishing has been the expansion of small business into seminars, editing services, advertising services, and other promises to the ego driven "authors" that they will be recognized as an author if they just spend enough money to earn the title. Hopefully, these businesses are paying taxes.
