Trad and Indie

So there's a whole lot going on in these two threads here on twitter:

Cirsova's /// Clawsons

Which compares/contrasts indies vs trad publishing outlets like B&N.

Indies:

• Can work in whatever genre cross splat you want, even if its niche
• No deadlines, go at your own pace, be your own boss. 
• Decide if you want to be more business oriented or Hobby oriented.
• By publishing yourself, you don't have to appeal to an industry house editor or publisher, you can go through the process yourself and put up whatever you wish

Drawbacks:

• Lots of research about how to format, looking into covers, editing steps
• Lots of heavy lifting if you want to launch your books correctly
• Building your network or readership
• Finishing what you started (Esp. if its a series)

Trads:

• Get paid upfront if a manuscript is accepted.
• If you manage to gain recognition, it might lead to more deals.
• Built in Editing and Marketing(To a Point)
• Inroads with Trad Outlets 
• Built in Reader Base b/c of Brand Recognition

Drawbacks:

• Writing for Market that they prefer.
• Trad Pub Editorial mandates or qoutas or styling
• Sometimes that advance isn't enough and you have to make enough sales to get into royalties ranges.

There are drawbacks to both, different levels of gate keeping and political factors for some, but ultimately what will become of stores in the next decade or so.

Will they go more Hobby based like Books-a-Million? With all sorts of board games, tabletop, other various novelties? Will more Mom and Pop Shops crop up to fill a market? Heck, I've even seen books at Dollar Stores. 

When I was a kid, there was Borders, Walden Books, B&N, BAM, many of them thriving in malls. No need to have separate individual buildings. Plus in the Tampa area alone there were a plethora of used book stores. Due to the USF campus in some cases but lots of them had old table top books as well.

Also, you could find all sorts of story magazines outside of traditional book stores. Its long gone now but Pharmore had all sorts of fun stuff. Including comics off spin racks and Analog alongside rows of magazines. Even gas stations used to have a section for comics/pulps. Alterna does have the right idea, get your favorite medium out there, in the usual spots but in areas that people also frequent. Like gas stations and grocery stores.

Nets are important but what kind do you want to toss? That's why I'm doing all this side research into publishing even if my Major wasn't marketing. XD

Part of me is wondering if some will go the way of the Dodo like Blockbuster vs Redbox or even how bookstores will have to re-invent themselves. Even my grandmother doesn't get out too much unless we drive her somewhere. So she gets audio books in cassette tape form of all things from the disability foundation. As you finish one book you send it back and they will mail another from her list. Some formats are still in use.

Guess that will be the same for books. There's even a library still in use near grandma's house. She has me drive her there too. These days she has to read with some assistance but that's why I got that magnifying tablet sized light reader for her.

Now this reader must be off to work. Because work means I have have more entertainment. Even if it drives me even more Fl Woman.