It’s a perfect moment.
You pull the first book out of the top of the box. The smell of fresh cut paper hits you. You crack open the book and breath in the smell.
It’s finally real. Your book is published and it’s here. Time to send a copy to your Mom and siblings. It’s always a special moment, not matter how many books I publish.
One of the most common questions my students ask is “should I print my book?” With the world moving to Kindle and ebook formats, it’s a reasonable debate.
My answer is always “yes.” You don’t want to rob yourself of that moment when the book becomes fully real. It’s one of those truly joyous moments in life. So always print at least a few copies of your book.
That is not the only question you should be asking though. The better question to ask is “should I be running my bestseller campaign on the printed version of my book.” The answer to this question requires more consideration.
What to look at:
1. Is price an important consideration? Ebook versions can be moved a much lower cost. In fact many people post their ebook for free or highly reduced price during their campaign.
2. Are you going for International Bestseller status? Kindle does not have a country associated with it, unlike Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.uk. etc. So if you run your campaign on the kindle version, the opportunity to gain bestseller status in more than one country is lost.
3. If you’re running your campaign on a print version, I’d recommend either using fulfilment by Amazon and running it on the softcover or working with a distribution house where the costs are clearly cover by the wholesale costs of the book. Many writers find themselves in a loose money proposition when they realize Amazon is wanting books couriered to distribution houses all over the US a few books at a time.
Very useful and interesting article !! Thanks to share !!!
Amazing insight and so true:
“yes.” You don’t want to rob yourself of that moment when the book becomes fully real. It’s one of those truly joyous moments in life. So always print at least a few copies of your book.
Great post thanks!
Really thought provoking and thanks.
I know!!!
First, CONGRATS!!!!!!
I remember that feeling when I got my books in and saw my own name, face and title IN PRINT! I held my own published book of poetry and it is an AWESOME feeling that never goes away. And more–there’s NOTHING like your first.
Congrats again1
Thank you, it is good to know these things before starting a project
Sehr interessant
Gruß Kay
Sehr interessanter Kommentar. Gruß kay
Sehr interessanter Artikel. ich werde ihn weiter empfehlen
Sehr gute Ausführung
A very interesting article and sound advice to any budding writers out there. Good stuff!
Nice Post Teresa
Great tradeoffs
Great tradeoffs.
Delicious Wholesome Advice!
Opening the first book of newly printed books is so exciting, the cost to self publish is very inexpensive. You owe it to yourself to do this.
In the movie “The Jerk” with Steve Martin when the new phone books arrived and he ran around yelling “The new phone books are here” that is the feeling I had when opening my first box.
I also have it in e-book format on Nook and Kindle. The next book will be the same way to reach different audiences. besides how are you going to autograph the e-book?
Nicely written, very compelling argument. Good job!
Thanks for sharing the wisdom Teresa. There are not necessarily easy answers and of course, there are trade offs. Since my book has a large journaling/exercise component, I will definitely be printing hard copies in addition to an eBook format. So grateful that you are a part of my team! Thanks for the great coaching!
Blessings,
Valerie