THE Group for Authors! discussion
Publishing and Promoting
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eBook vs. Softbound vs. Hardback
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Linda: My assumption is that there are two reader groups -- those who want to read print and those who want digital. Within the print crowd, the percentage that only read hardbound has to be tiny. So, I'm okay personally with only offering my book(s) in paperback and digital formats. Further, we can assume that younger readers are more likely to prefer digital, while older readers still go for print.
In terms of marketing, you need to make an educated guess as to how to reach your target audience(s) as well as what vehicles are open to you. If you are self-published, you'll find it hard to get newspapers to review your books. Bookstores are also less likely to accept them unless there's a strong local connection. That's why so many self-published authors are trying to promote their books via social media and the web.
Since I'm 76 and have been an avid reader since I was 3, I certainly don't qualify as a "younger reader." I read about 5 books a week on average--and I love my e-reader. No books to shelve and dust. It's easy to take with me on my rounds, and there's always a selection of books and stories to read wherever I am, not to mention the joy of magazines (I have a color -reader). Not only are the pictures even better than in print, but I don't have the problem of where to put back issues, how to throw away those old National Geographics or Discover copies.I am not the only older person I know who has--and loves--an e-reader. My question is when will e-books take over paper ones, and what will happen to the publishing houses?
As for the original question, how do you know who buys your books? Does your publisher provide a reader profile? I only know how many books have sold, not to whom.
The already are overtaking print books. B&N and Amazon both report higher EBook sales than printed and the AAP today said print sales have dropped while EBook sales soared more than 160 percent during first four months of this year.
Peter wrote: "Linda: My assumption is that there are two reader groups -- those who want to read print and those who want digital. Within the print crowd, the percentage that only read hardbound has to be tiny...."I don't think you can assume that older readers prefer print. On her return from a cruise, a friend said everyone there who looked over 50 had an e-reader, and most of the younger ones. The type sizes and convenience are the big selling points, in my opinion. I read both print and eBooks, but I prefer eBooks. So much easier to get, carry, and store.
Linda wrote: "I'd like to ask a question to all authors who are published (if you're willing to share). What's the percentage of your sales that are eBooks, softbound print, and hardback books? I'm printing ..."
When I released a new book last summer, friends, workmates, and a few others bought the print books, but that was before the Christmas surge in e-readers. Since then, almost all sales have been Kindle. (I haven't managed to get it on any other places yet.) Sales are still coming along, not huge, but steady. My new book, which is a reprint of an out-of-print mystery with a terrific new cover, is only on Kindle. I don't plan to put it in print.
Linda, I'm now trying to pay attention to sales following various kinds of promotion, hoping to figure out which are more effective. I wonder if genre makes a difference, if, say, mystery readers respond to some things and romance readers to others. Does anyone write in more than one area and have any experience?
Talking of genre? What comments about 'true stories' does anyone feel truth may be more popular than fiction?
I'm at the brink of counting, as well. My hardcover thriller TERMINAL POLICY came out 1+ year ago, and the first of my 5 e-Book series THE RAKER CHRONICLES is being released as we speak, to almost 20 venues...so when I have some comparison numbers, I'll share! Book I, Hidden Agenda, was just put on www.digi-tall-media.com this morning; Kindle and others will follow!
My book 'Reluctant Hero' is a true story and was published on Smashwords in April this year. So far it has sold 9 copies from 40 downloads. It's in the premium catalogue but I've had no feedback to date on that? Anybody out there, want to comment?
My novel, "Fornax Rising" has had the most sales for the Kindle. I've sold a few copies via Smashwords and a few paperbacks through Amazon.
Thanks for this great thread Linda. Since I'm debuting in August this is something that has really been on my mind. Great feedback everyone! My book will be available in all formats and I'll be sure to stop back by and let you know how it's faring in each one.
My first novel in paperback sold a few hundred copies. (Ireland mostly.) I've gone to eBooks only now. Four months ago.
Sales on Amazon Kindle alone have already outstripped the paperback and that with little promotion and no giveaways or 99c stuff.
My latest are priced at 3.99 and 2.99 are doing better than the intros at 1.99.
For me eBooks is the future because I can get all my work out there and see steady sales increases for work considered too genre-difficult for the mainstream.
Sorry I know I've given no percentages but I hope this helps.
Regards David Rory O'Neill
Sales on Amazon Kindle alone have already outstripped the paperback and that with little promotion and no giveaways or 99c stuff.
My latest are priced at 3.99 and 2.99 are doing better than the intros at 1.99.
For me eBooks is the future because I can get all my work out there and see steady sales increases for work considered too genre-difficult for the mainstream.
Sorry I know I've given no percentages but I hope this helps.
Regards David Rory O'Neill
I didn't immediately jump into the e-book market since I write YA fantasy. However, Christmas of 2010 saw a dramatic increase of sales of Kindle and e-readers for kids! That gave me another avenue.
The argument of which format is good, better or best, is moot compared to widening your audience. I don't look at sales percentages - rather if the books are selling at all.