Dilemmas, Questions, Known and Unknown

First I need to clear a few things up.  A few people have asked me exactly what I want.  I know what I want but then there is a lot I don't know having never "created a book".

I know:

-I want brave women willing to share their stories with Postpartum Depression.  It can be a story of what they went through, what they are going through, a poem, a drawing.  Anything but photography since the photography will be from what I shoot.

-I will do a free photo session for each submission within the Los Angeles area

-The person submitting will get (1) 8x10 print of their choice photo and (1) print of the final page with photos that will be in the book

-I have amazing support and encouragement that keeps the "movement" forward

-I have a deadline

I don't know:

-Where or how to self publish a book.  I have gotten some leads and one great site but why is it everyone is afraid of giving out phone numbers?  I can't call the company because they don't have a number.  They quote "it's easier to streamline requests via email". Or something like that.

-What size the book will be

-How many pages it will be

-How many words each submission should be.  I originally thought that I would publish them the way they come in  but then I realized I wanted some uniformity.  However, someone edited down their piece and I didn't think it was as moving. they weren't able to get to the  heart of their experience and I felt cut off.  It was still a great piece of writing however, I know what it was edited own from and it just didn't feel the same.  So, I am working on figuring out the guidelines. 

As I work on this project more and more, it seems like the more questions come up.

Any insight is greatly appreciated.