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Ebooks VS Books

LittleHearseDriver
Posts: 2,677 Member
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.
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.
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Replies
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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!0
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funeral director and embalmer ?
no brainer...
coloring book!3 -
Real books all the way I don't even look at ebooks I disregard their content straight away!0
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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.3 -
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.1 -
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!0 -
LittleHearseDriver wrote: »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).
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I'm an avid reader. I prefer Ebooks. I love having all my books with me at all times.0
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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.
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LittleHearseDriver wrote: »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)
there was a remake:
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I like both digital and hardcovers, but I travel often and always take my Nookie with me0
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Motorsheen wrote: »
Shhh, that one too, don't get me busted0 -
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.2
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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.0
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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 exactly0 -
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.0
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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.0
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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!0 -
I like both. equally.0
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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 paper0 -
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.0 -
I am old school so I love real books. But why can't you do both?0
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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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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.1
This discussion has been closed.
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