Abstract:

The logic of independent publications production and distribution can be revealed by their external
characteristics which reflect the social, technical and economical structure of the publishing industry. The
convention as a conceptual tool is introduced to analyze the external characteristics（format, page numbers
and binding） of 633 publications listed in the Small Press Records of Books（1968） . Through the comparison
of the different conventions between the independent and trade publications, the duality which is constructed
by the convention as intermediary in the publishing industry will be explained.