It seems a given: you’re about to publish and, naturally, will release both an eBook and paperback version. Think again. Should you release in both formats?
Art Costs Vary. Design costs for an eBook’s cover art are much lower—or nonexistent if you’re adept at design. You’ll encounter much higher costs for a full front-and-back paperback cover. If you’re on a tight budget, this is a serious consideration.
Time from Pen to Publication is greatly reduced if you only release in eFormat. You won’t spend hours proofing a paperback or coordinating work between your graphic designer and print-on-demand (POD) publisher.
The Flexibility of an eBook allows for fast edits if, God forbid, your first book reviewers catch errors you somehow missed. Similarly, if readers mention how much they wish you’d given more play to a certain character, or if they think you ended a novel too quickly (or in the wrong place) you can quickly revise then upload again. Yes, you can correct a paperback that arrived hot off the press two months ago, but you’ll pay for the privilege.
eBook, Free Book Some authors opt to release shorter works in eFormat only as a way to drive sales to their longer, more lucrative books. They run free promotions. They price at 99 cents. They do this to build a readership quickly while avoiding expense.
Convinced you don’t need a paperback to garner an ever-widening readership? Wait. There are good reasons to release in both formats.
What about Contests? Many highly publicized contests only accept paperback copies from entrants. Have you written a book you’re confident breaks new ground in your genre? Did your Beta Readers rave that they couldn’t put the book down? A contest win gives you bragging rights, higher visibility and a compelling lead sentence in your query letter to book review sites.
GoodReads Giveaway? With a paperback, you can run a GoodReads giveaway over several months to introduce your name to thousands of potential readers. Often, many of the people who enter but don’t win will go on to purchase your book. If you have other releases, those happy readers may purchase those books too.
Paperback Builds Credibility with Reviewers Most book reviewers will accept eFormats but some will only review paperbacks. Without a physical version of your book, you’ll cut down on the avenues for exposure.
Indie Bookstores? While most independent authors find it impossible to secure placement in chain bookstores, some writers earn a significant income through Independent Bookstores.
What About the Library? If your book garners excellent reviews from a variety of sources, including traditional book critics like The Midwest Book Review, libraries may choose to shelve your book.
Whatever you decide, be aware that most Indie Authors earn the bulk of their income through eBooks but many choose to also release some or all of their books in paperback for many of the reasons cited above.
Photo: From Christian’s semester in Europe
I love e-books for ease and space, and I broke down at Christmas and got a Nook (I’m loyal to B&N). My husband and I are both English Majors, and the books are quite literally falling off our shelves (we posted “Beware!” signs). However, to me there is nothing quite like the texture or smell of a physical book (yes, old and new books have different scents) and sometimes you just want to feel the weight of an old treasured or an exciting new book in your hands. So, I say do not abandon the paperback! I think it is worth it to try to publish in both mediums. Thank you for this thought-provoking post, Christine.
Lori, I hope you continue to enjoy books in all formats! Recently I attended a writer’s group and the speaker had just retired from her position as a NY editor. She suggested that the cost of hardback books had risen so high, they’d all but disappear in the next few years. Listening, I felt awful–even though I was packing an iPad in my purse!
Many thanks for reading along.
I love e-books for ease and space, and I broke down at Christmas and got a Nook (I’m loyal to B&N). My husband and I are both English Majors, and the books are quite literally falling off our shelves (we posted “Beware!” signs). However, to me there is nothing quite like the texture or smell of a physical book (yes, old and new books have different scents) and sometimes you just want to feel the weight of an old treasured or an exciting new book in your hands. So, I say do not abandon the paperback! I think it is worth it to try to publish in both mediums. Thank you for this thought-provoking post, Christine.
Lori, I hope you continue to enjoy books in all formats! Recently I attended a writer’s group and the speaker had just retired from her position as a NY editor. She suggested that the cost of hardback books had risen so high, they’d all but disappear in the next few years. Listening, I felt awful–even though I was packing an iPad in my purse!
Many thanks for reading along.
Without a doubt an ebook is cheaper and quicker to produce. Almost certainly they are cheaper to purchase, and will definitely sell more copies than the traditional paperback. Spending out a few pence (I’m in the UK) or cents on an ebook that you read and absolutely hate is not a big deal. However spending out 10, 11, 12 dollars (or pounds) on a paperback that disappoints can be upsetting. Having said all of that I much prefer holding a proper paperback. The smell of the paper, the feel of a book. And to actually see your published work in your hand, or on the shelf of a library, or bookshop, is a great feeling. So I would always choose to publish my works in both formats and hope that teh paperback will be around for a long time to come.
John, I certainly agree that nothing delights like the experience of holding your finished paperback in your hands, or seeing it shelved in a bookstore or a library. Even so, many Indie authors do publish some or all of their works in eBook only, no doubt in response to the question, “How do I earn my royalties?” For many, the answer is, “Through eBook sales.”
Many thanks for leaving a comment. Wishing you all the best with your book–in both formats!
Without a doubt an ebook is cheaper and quicker to produce. Almost certainly they are cheaper to purchase, and will definitely sell more copies than the traditional paperback. Spending out a few pence (I’m in the UK) or cents on an ebook that you read and absolutely hate is not a big deal. However spending out 10, 11, 12 dollars (or pounds) on a paperback that disappoints can be upsetting. Having said all of that I much prefer holding a proper paperback. The smell of the paper, the feel of a book. And to actually see your published work in your hand, or on the shelf of a library, or bookshop, is a great feeling. So I would always choose to publish my works in both formats and hope that teh paperback will be around for a long time to come.
John, I certainly agree that nothing delights like the experience of holding your finished paperback in your hands, or seeing it shelved in a bookstore or a library. Even so, many Indie authors do publish some or all of their works in eBook only, no doubt in response to the question, “How do I earn my royalties?” For many, the answer is, “Through eBook sales.”
Many thanks for leaving a comment. Wishing you all the best with your book–in both formats!
Great post! I also think that e-books allow an independent author a great deal of creative freedom. I’ve recently become addicted to Kindle shorts. Most of these smaller works wouldn’t see the light of day at a traditional publisher simply because of their length. If a story is complete at 50 pages why waste my time with 150 more of filler? I like the idea of stories being able to unfold just as they were intended.
I agree, Jon. The advent of ePublishing allows for more creativity, and readers can easily download short stories as well as novels and nonfiction. Even poets are finding new readers in the electronic marketplace.
Many thanks for reading along.
Great post! I also think that e-books allow an independent author a great deal of creative freedom. I’ve recently become addicted to Kindle shorts. Most of these smaller works wouldn’t see the light of day at a traditional publisher simply because of their length. If a story is complete at 50 pages why waste my time with 150 more of filler? I like the idea of stories being able to unfold just as they were intended.
I agree, Jon. The advent of ePublishing allows for more creativity, and readers can easily download short stories as well as novels and nonfiction. Even poets are finding new readers in the electronic marketplace.
Many thanks for reading along.
There is value in both. I print paperbacks through Createspace and it is very reasonable. I go to boutiques and have local businesses display and sell my books. Also, I don’t like sending out ebooks for reviews or free promotions. The ebook can be emailed and emailed out and no one has to buy it. A paperback limits the sharing of a free giveaway or sample for a review.
Wonderful points, Karen. I feel the same way about paperback, and prefer to mail a copy of a book for review.
Many thanks for reading along.
There is value in both. I print paperbacks through Createspace and it is very reasonable. I go to boutiques and have local businesses display and sell my books. Also, I don’t like sending out ebooks for reviews or free promotions. The ebook can be emailed and emailed out and no one has to buy it. A paperback limits the sharing of a free giveaway or sample for a review.
Wonderful points, Karen. I feel the same way about paperback, and prefer to mail a copy of a book for review.
Many thanks for reading along.
From a business standpoint — and indie writers are business people — I believe it’s important to use all available means to generate income (I’m not totally mercenary — the more income, the more freedom to write). I’m on an extremely low budget, but my first four releases (a novel, a novella, a short story collection, and another novel) will all be initially released as an e-book. But, if I’m fortunate enough to see sales and a bit of income, that first money will go back into the business in the form of printed editions of my work. Again, simply more avenues to attract readers, and generate that all-important income.
John, this is the issue for the majority of Indie writers. Let’s face it: most of us don’t have oodles of cash to invest in publishing. We must use our investment wisely. At the same time, we must continue to produce that all-important backlist. Your solution makes perfect sense: release the eVersions, wait for sales to arrive, then move to print.
Thank you for adding great points to the conversation.
From a business standpoint — and indie writers are business people — I believe it’s important to use all available means to generate income (I’m not totally mercenary — the more income, the more freedom to write). I’m on an extremely low budget, but my first four releases (a novel, a novella, a short story collection, and another novel) will all be initially released as an e-book. But, if I’m fortunate enough to see sales and a bit of income, that first money will go back into the business in the form of printed editions of my work. Again, simply more avenues to attract readers, and generate that all-important income.
John, this is the issue for the majority of Indie writers. Let’s face it: most of us don’t have oodles of cash to invest in publishing. We must use our investment wisely. At the same time, we must continue to produce that all-important backlist. Your solution makes perfect sense: release the eVersions, wait for sales to arrive, then move to print.
Thank you for adding great points to the conversation.
So far, I have only released ebooks but that is because my entire catalogue to date consists of short stories so it is not cost effective to produce them in paperback. However, I am currently working on a novel and fully intend to release it in paperback for precisely the reasons you mention.
With regard to the drawbacks, with the exception of the cost implications of producing a front and back cover, these can be overcome by releasing the ebook in advance of the paperback.
You make some good points though. I think it is something that indie authors ought to think carefully about and make a careful decision for each release.
Mary, I couldn’t agree more. Indie authors should make a cost-benefit analysis for each project.
Wishing you all the best with your novel and short stories.
I agree with John.
Maybe release the ebook and see what kind of reaction you get before investing lots of the green stuff =)
In the end, each journey is our own!
Great point. Many authors release the eBook first, wait for reviews to roll in then decide to either revise or release the paperback. Not that all books should appear in both formats–keep in mind that most independent authors continue to garner the most sales from eBooks.
Thanks for weighing in, Ann Marie.
I agree with John.
Maybe release the ebook and see what kind of reaction you get before investing lots of the green stuff =)
In the end, each journey is our own!
Great point. Many authors release the eBook first, wait for reviews to roll in then decide to either revise or release the paperback. Not that all books should appear in both formats–keep in mind that most independent authors continue to garner the most sales from eBooks.
Thanks for weighing in, Ann Marie.
You’re more or less obliged to release both as an e-book and as a printed book. But that should not be seen as a problem. It’s an advantage. When a movie leaves the theater, it has a second life on Blu-Ray, a third on cable TV, and a fourth on broadcast TV. There’s an audience for each. Same deal here. E-books are definitely where you find/build an audience for your book. That’s your first stop. If that works out, you have a platform from which you can either self-publish your hard copy OR with a demonstrable audience in your pocket, cut a deal with a conventional publisher. Either way, you get an opportunity to relaunch your book to a new readership.
Jeff, I couldn’t have said it better. Authors publishing on a limited budget can build eSales before making the investment in paperback.
Thank you for weighing in.
You’re more or less obliged to release both as an e-book and as a printed book. But that should not be seen as a problem. It’s an advantage. When a movie leaves the theater, it has a second life on Blu-Ray, a third on cable TV, and a fourth on broadcast TV. There’s an audience for each. Same deal here. E-books are definitely where you find/build an audience for your book. That’s your first stop. If that works out, you have a platform from which you can either self-publish your hard copy OR with a demonstrable audience in your pocket, cut a deal with a conventional publisher. Either way, you get an opportunity to relaunch your book to a new readership.
I published in both ebook and paper for the simple reason my family don’t “do” ebooks. Excellent article as always, Ms. Nolfi!
Hi Greg,
No doubt many readers will continue to prefer reading a physical book despite the increase in digital offerings. I suspect this is especially true with older readers.
Many thanks for reading along.
I published in both ebook and paper for the simple reason my family don’t “do” ebooks. Excellent article as always, Ms. Nolfi!
Hi Greg,
No doubt many readers will continue to prefer reading a physical book despite the increase in digital offerings. I suspect this is especially true with older readers.
Many thanks for reading along.
Mary, I couldn’t agree more. Indie authors should make a cost-benefit analysis for each project.
Wishing you all the best with your novel and short stories.