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# the illusion of competition
- URL: https://meetingplace.bogbodiespress.com/the-illusion-of-competition/
- Published: 2024-09-18T14:10:39.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-21T13:29:09.000Z
- Description: what we learned and what we bought at the fair to end all fairs
- Author: bog bodies press
- Tags: Newsletter, #Migrated-1792589186246, #Import 2026-10-21 13:27

at the start of september, we joined more than 140 publishers and lots more readers in a very very hot warehouse for indiecon - an independent publishing festival that ended up being one of our favourites that we’ve ever attended.

in this substack, we’ll go over the specifics of what made indiecon stand out for us, what we learned from the other publishers there and show you some of the incredible publications we brought home with us.

![](https://meetingplace.bogbodiespress.com/content/images/2026/10/169e178b-6f30-44af-92ff-d1130071acaa_1179x1494-jpeg.jpg)

#### why indiecon?

we spent less time behind our table at indiecon than we have at any other fair. when you think of the purpose of a book fair that might not sound so good, but indiecon offers a trade programme where publishers can meet and exchange. they had roundtables, lectures and workshops focused on pushing the industry further, and collectively sharing our experience and knowledge.

we learned so much that our heads were spinning for a week afterwards. (more on that later.)

the world of independent publishing is centred around the sharing of information, but the sharing of information between publishers is rarely given space at book fairs. in hindsight, it seems like a wasted opportunity not to foster exchange when you have so many people passionate about the same subject in the same place for a few days.

there was also such a brilliant variety in the exhibitors and visitors to indiecon. from very established publishing houses and nonprofits to people who hand-make zines for friends to people thinking about starting their own publications. we had such wonderful discussions at our table, in the roundtable spaces and outside with a beer after the fair closed.

#### what did we learn?

the first roundtable we attended was about pricing, commerciality and advertising in independent publishing. the diversity in participants was really valuable, and we got to hear from publishers with monthly printruns in the tens of thousands as well as from people who were still in the pre-launch phase of their magazine.

here, we learned that there’s so much strength in transparency - the independent publishing world could be so much better off if we had more spaces in which to exchange practical information and support about keeping our presses afloat. we want newsstands full of interesting and diverse publications, and that roundtable reminded us of the strength in community. everyone wants print to thrive, and none of us can do that alone.

in another roundtable we talked about memberships - how they can be implemented for the mutual benefit of your readership and the press, and how we have to think creatively to keep independent publishing houses in business. we talked a lot about the desire to have our work be accessible financially and also to be able to continue to publish, and how to reconcile the two. it was so lovely to bounce ideas off of one another, and to be reminded that everyone has the same internal debates. (therapy for publishers?)

there was also an entire programme of lectures and talks, where we heard from fascinating initiatives and organisations about their journeys and work, and ultimately where independent publishing is going.

we left so very inspired by the people we met, with an ever-stronger desire to keep finding new ways through which print can thrive and to combine forces with other presses whenever wherever we can!

![](https://meetingplace.bogbodiespress.com/content/images/2026/10/0440c7b5-37c5-45db-8b2d-1ba3157ebd27_1179x1414-jpeg.jpg)

#### what books did we bring home?

we met elio ferrario, simone allevi and marta adamkowska of [c’èlacrisi editore](https://www.instagram.com/celacrisi%5Feditore/?ref=meetingplace.bogbodiespress.com), and bought some beautiful, playful illustrated books as well as their magazine il.leggibile.

![](https://meetingplace.bogbodiespress.com/content/images/2026/10/6421950f-2b17-49e1-bbbd-64cd21a17ff3_5712x4284-heic.jpg)

we brought home three fascinating titles from the groundworks series, courtesy of daniel kent from [pioneer works](https://pioneerworks.org/?ref=meetingplace.bogbodiespress.com).

![](https://meetingplace.bogbodiespress.com/content/images/2026/10/5b6baba1-42b8-4cba-8160-c285cadae0a4_5634x4225-heic.jpg)

we got the latest issue of the [new york review of architecture](https://nyra.nyc/?ref=meetingplace.bogbodiespress.com) (and réi got a free tshirt!) at a roundtable with the founder, nicholas kemper.

![](https://meetingplace.bogbodiespress.com/content/images/2026/10/0cb52b98-ebf1-4cc3-a0bd-8f859eaf2120_5513x4008-heic.jpg)

laura gómez of [gótico tropical books](https://goticotropicalbooks.com/?ref=meetingplace.bogbodiespress.com) gave us a thought-provoking zine on nadaism.

![](https://meetingplace.bogbodiespress.com/content/images/2026/10/727f776d-3701-4bd4-86c3-e0724f457e3c_5493x4019-heic.jpg)

we got the first two publications from martin and margrit barner of [sabotage l.a. publishing](https://www.sabotagelapublishing.com/?ref=meetingplace.bogbodiespress.com).

![](https://meetingplace.bogbodiespress.com/content/images/2026/10/eea0ad80-8b6b-4978-97fe-e16cc0312cd8_5712x4284-heic.jpg)

brilliantly on theme, moritz grünke of [gloria glitzer](https://gloriaglitzer.de/?ref=meetingplace.bogbodiespress.com) gave us an essay on art book festivals and we bought some other gorgeous graphic publications from his table.

![](https://meetingplace.bogbodiespress.com/content/images/2026/10/9e51be92-fd20-4b63-875e-8209d9232e83_5655x4241-heic.jpg)

[Subscribe now](#/portal/signup)

thank you so much for reading! see you at the next indiecon?

bisou

lilou & réi