Publishing: Traditional vs. Independant

Traditional publishing versus independent publishing: it's a debate I've had to deal with a lot as of late, yet it must be addressed.

For those not in the know, traditional publishing involved established publishers (most of whom seem to live in New York for some reason) accepting your book and taking over printing, selling, and sometimes marketing your book. On the other side is the independent publishing business, which freely accepts and publishes most submissions (though vulgarity isn't an issue for all independents), but leave marketing in the hands of the author.

Before I even get started, let me say that both sides have merit. Traditional publishing is, to put it bluntly, traditional. These publishers are established companies with years of experience in the industry. What Independent publishers lack in experience, they make up for in versatility; an independent author has complete control over his or her work; the cover, the format, the font ... every aspect of the novel can be tailored to the author's specifications.

Good; now that that's out of the way, it's time to tear these publishers a new one.

Traditional publishing gets glowing praise (from authors who were traditionally published. Gee, imagine that.), but getting a book published can be a massive undertaking.

For the sake of this comparison, let's say that I've written a book called 'Jabbernits', and spent years proofing and editing until it's as good as I can possibly get it.
I want to publish Jabbernits with a traditional publisher, as I have little or no sales experience and hate proof-reading with a passion. I look around online for fantasy publishers and discover the TWIT publishing group. After carefully researching submission guidelines and formatting, I prepare a snappy submission package, send it on its way, then wait two to six months for the response (the traditional publishing industry seems to frown on simultaneous submissions). Half a year passes, and I recieve a letter. My heart is all pitter-patter as I open the eagerly anticipated letter, only to discover a photocopied sheet that begins 'Dear Author:'. The letter thanks me for my submission, but regrets to inform me that they are choosing not to support my book at this time.

Undaunted, I find another publishing company and try again. Another half a year later, I receive another photocopied 'Dear Author' reply. After taking a few months to look over my work for any mistakes or changes that need to be made, I try again. Again, I get another photocopied response. In frustration, I sent out dozens of submissions to publishers all over the country. For each hand-crafted submission that costs me money to send, I receive a photocopied response that can't even bother to spell out my name.

I decide to try getting an agent, only to discover that in this backwards world, I can't get an agent without getting published, and I can't get published without getting an agent. More submissions are sent, more emotionless photocopied replies are received until I begin to wonder if I should give up writing.

Then I hear about independant publishing; all I have to do is format and submit my book to Createspace or Lulu, and I can sell your book myself, bypassing the stodgy traditional publishing altogether! I format the book, give it another good shine, and get it submitted. Now my book is available in hardback, paperback, and digital download, with a modest four-dollar royalty for me for every copy sold. It's like a dream come true ... that is, until a few months later when I look at my sales and realize I haven't sold a single copy. In my eagerness to get publishing, I forgot that marketing is just as important, if not more so, than the act of publishing itself.

So which is better? the traditionals who only seem to throw a great deal of good books to the trash because they are not marketable enough, or the independents who struggle to make their work known? Please, tell me your thoughts on this.