Which
format should authors publish their books in – and why?
Many
authors will simultaneously release a book in multiple formats. At the very least, they will have a print and
digital edition published at the same time.
Others will do an audiobook, perhaps a little later on. Some will publish hardcover and trade paper
at the same time while some may only do a mass market paperback edition. There are also publishers who release a
print-on-demand version while selling the digital and audio book editions.
What
makes sense for you?
More
formats increase your chances of selling a book, as it becomes available in
different venues, appeals to various modes of learning and provides different
price points. But it also means that you
only get one shot to sell and promote your book.
If
you, say, print the hardcover but wait 6-12 months to release a cheaper
paperback version, you get two chances to sell and market your book.
Some
publishers will package formats together, where you can get the audiobook with
an e-book version of the same title, or a print and digital version come
together for one price.
Hardcover
appeals to people who like to feel the book they’re reading is important, new,
and substantial. These readers pay a
premium willingly. Some libraries may
also offer a durable hard-cover edition.
Ebooks
appeal to those who like all things digital, from seniors who enjoy controlling
the font size to younger people who grew up with digital to business travelers
who prefer not to carry heavy books everywhere.
Plus ebooks are inexpensive for the budget-weary.
Audio
appeals to people who drive often, enjoy being read to, or who like to take in
a story with their eyes closed.
Publishers
and authors are experimenting on which formats to publish in – and when to
strategically release a variety of editions.
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula that perfectly fits authors of all
genres or publishers of all sizes.
Some
authers will sell the rights to their books, such as foreign rights or movie
rights, but others will also sell off various formats, such as audio rights or,
if they publish the hardcover edition they’ll sell the trade paper rights to
another publisher.
Whatever
the format that you choose to publish in just remember it still takes heavy
marketing and promoting to be successful. That will not
change even if the format does.
DON't MISS!
Study this exclusive author media training video from T J
Walker
What does it really take to land on a best-seller list?
Can
you sell 10 copies of your book every day?
Great
book PR lessons from kids, clergy, women, contractors & sportscasters
How do
authors get on TV?
Here’s
the 2017 Author Book PR & Marketing Toolkit
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.