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Ebooks VS Books

LittleHearseDriver
LittleHearseDriver Posts: 2,677 Member
edited November 2024 in Chit-Chat
I'm in the process of writing a book about my job as a funeral director and embalmer. I'm having a hard time deciding if I should publish my novel as an Kindle eBook or to go through a traditional publisher. I want my book to reach out to as many people as possible.

Ebook Pros
I can self publish at little to no cost and pass on the savings to the readers.
I don't have to worry about publishers rejecting it.
Many people read via electronic devices.

Ebook Cons
Unable to publish in stores.
Excludes those who do not own a Kindle.



What are your thoughts? Please share any other pros and cons that you can think of.

Replies

  • suruda
    suruda Posts: 1,233 Member
    Would you potentially get more circulation if it went through a publisher? Is it worth trying? I have no idea if it is even a possibility but given how much people have loved your Q&A thread, I would think there's a market for it!
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,506 Member
    funeral director and embalmer ?

    no brainer...

    coloring book!
  • katiepoo22
    katiepoo22 Posts: 58 Member
    Real books all the way I don't even look at ebooks I disregard their content straight away!
  • everher
    everher Posts: 909 Member
    I don't see why you couldn't try a few (in reality a few dozen) traditional publishers and then publish as an ebook if it isn't picked up.

    I know some authors have actually been picked up from Amazon if their books did well, but I don't know how likely that is.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-self-publish-an-ebook/

    I buy and read mostly e-books these days. I probably wouldn't buy a paper book from an unknown author.
  • LittleHearseDriver
    LittleHearseDriver Posts: 2,677 Member
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    funeral director and embalmer ?

    no brainer...

    coloring book!

    You are brilliant! That's a million dollar idea. You and I could cash in on the adult coloring book craze!
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    Ebook Cons
    Unable to publish in stores.
    Excludes those who do not own a Kindle.

    Isn't there a kindle app for most devices? I've got one on my phone and tablet (both Android).
  • Tabbycat00
    Tabbycat00 Posts: 146 Member
    I'm an avid reader. I prefer Ebooks. I love having all my books with me at all times.
  • LittleHearseDriver
    LittleHearseDriver Posts: 2,677 Member
    everher wrote: »
    I don't see why you couldn't try a few (in reality a few dozen) traditional publishers and then publish as an ebook if it isn't picked up.

    I know some authors have actually been picked up from Amazon if their books did well, but I don't know how likely that is.
    That's a good point
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,506 Member
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    funeral director and embalmer ?

    no brainer...

    coloring book!

    You are brilliant! That's a million dollar idea. You and I could cash in on the adult coloring book craze!

    right?

    there was a traditional kids' book titled: Pat the Bunny (it was great,kids loved it)

    patthebunny2.jpg


    there was a remake:

    pat-the-zombie.jpg
  • dc8066
    dc8066 Posts: 1,439 Member
    I like both digital and hardcovers, but I travel often and always take my Nookie with me
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,506 Member
    dc6088 wrote: »
    I ] always take my Nookie with me

    I bet you do.

  • dc8066
    dc8066 Posts: 1,439 Member
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    dc6088 wrote: »
    I ] always take my Nookie with me

    I bet you do.

    Shhh, that one too, don't get me busted
  • whirlyruns
    whirlyruns Posts: 23 Member
    What are the differences from an advertising and marketing perspective? It seems like a traditional publisher would be a great help there. I buy both ebooks and print books on a regular basis, but I tend to ignore self published ebooks as they are often crap.
  • LittleHearseDriver
    LittleHearseDriver Posts: 2,677 Member
    The writer would be soley responsible for advertising and promoting their eBook. I think it would be extremely difficult to promote it well on my own.
  • alyssa0061
    alyssa0061 Posts: 652 Member
    whirlyruns wrote: »
    What are the differences from an advertising and marketing perspective? It seems like a traditional publisher would be a great help there. I buy both ebooks and print books on a regular basis, but I tend to ignore self published ebooks as they are often crap.

    My thoughts exactly
  • keodell1966
    keodell1966 Posts: 141 Member
    I read a ton on my phone and tablet. If its not a major author ,I'd say go self publish. I buy ebooks all the time! Let us know what you decide. I'd buy for sure.
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  • sw33tp3a1
    sw33tp3a1 Posts: 5,065 Member
    I read a lot of ebooks. I collect paperbacks of books I've read through Kindle. A version of an ebook would be easier as most starting writers start that way to spread their work but I think try for the publisher if that doesn't work try the e-thing.
  • Reaverie
    Reaverie Posts: 405 Member
    I have to second a coloring book. It would attract the sadistic.
    First off.. Eww. Im Goth and I wouldnt go for a book like that! (Though taxidermy a human corpse and we will see..)

    Second.. Everyone is different. I could go either way. I LOVE my hard covers, but I rarely read them. I want them to stay nice. So I use the kindle app or adobe reader to read books. I dont have an app to open certain files so I convert them online to open up in adobe. You may get a bigger response from readers if you offered PDF WITH your EPUB.

    Third.. If you DO do coloring books...make hard copy AND online version to upload into an art pad app! I would so buy that... Even with the words!
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    I like both. equally.
  • annaskiski
    annaskiski Posts: 1,212 Member
    Honestly, I love paper books, and am sad that I'm quite sure that they are going away. I used to love wandering through a library or Barnes and Noble, but....

    I only buy ebooks these days. Why?
    -Because I can have 15 queued up on my reader.
    -Most of my read time is on the treadmill these days (can't hold the book open, but the reader lies flat)
    -After I read the book, it just becomes more clutter in my house. << this is actually a big deal to me.
    -I have access to the book on two readers (one at home, one in my gym bag) and my phone. I can read anytime I am unexpectedly stuck waiting somewhere.

    The only time I need paper these days is reading in the hot tub....which is why I still get some magazines on paper :)
  • annaskiski
    annaskiski Posts: 1,212 Member
    And btw, you can get a kindle app on any device. You don't actually need to own a kindle.

    I personally am a Nook fan (I still want to support Barnes and Noble), but I have kindle apps on my ipad for some books only available on kindle.
  • dbanks80
    dbanks80 Posts: 3,685 Member
    I am old school so I love real books. But why can't you do both?
  • manderson27
    manderson27 Posts: 3,511 Member
    I am an avid reader and I never thought I would change to E books but I am definitely a convert. I love my kindle it affords me the chance to try unknown authors who are writing some really good and different books (like yourself perhaps) without it costing me too much. I have found some great reads for little or no cost.

    If I do buy a book now it has to be by an author I already like as I don't want to spend £7 or so on a book I might not enjoy.

    I am by no means and expert in any of this but I think publishing online gives you an incredibly wide audience however there is also huge amount of competition out there so getting your book to your audience will be key.

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  • denversillygoose
    denversillygoose Posts: 708 Member
    I usually only read ebooks, but I NEVER look at the strictly e published books. I'm judgey and don't give them a chance. I'm sure a lot of them are great, but I'm a snob. That's my $.2 regarding wider appeal.
This discussion has been closed.