An Overview of the Formats in Which Your Book Will Be Sold
You know the content of your book inside and out. After spending months working on perfecting every aspect of it, your book is going to be released. When your book hits the market, it can be available in a variety of printing types and formats. Each format has its unique perks and uses, but all are ways to get your writing out to the world.
The most common formats in the modern publishing industry are paperback, hardcover, digital, and audio. These give consumers a wide range of ways to read your story and engage with their communities. This article will review the ways in which your readers can buy your book.
Paperback Books
The most common book format on the market today is paperback. These are traditional, softcover books. Paperbacks have front and back covers that are made of bendable paper. These non-stiff covers can be easily taken on the go for wherever readers are going.
In addition to being easy and accessible for travel, paperbacks are also cheaper to produce. Due to the cheaper production costs, paperback books are often less expensive than other types of books. Your audience will appreciate the accessibility that a lower purchase price allows.
There are two major types of paperbacks: trade and mass market.
Mass Market Paperbacks
Mass market paperbacks are typically smaller than others. They often measure 4 inches x 7 inches, making them easy to handle and bring on the go. Readers can even read mass market paperbacks with one hand.
The biggest perk of releasing mass market paperbacks is the cost. These are the cheapest print books to create because of their size. It is the most efficient way to get the same amount of words on the page. This appeals to extremely price-conscious readers.
One of the biggest drawbacks of mass market paperbacks is the tighter typeset on each page. This is to make the whole text fit on the smaller pages, but it can be harder to read. Another limitation is that not all books are published in mass market paperback. Certain pulp fiction genres are more likely to receive this accessible format, mainly romance, crime, horror, fantasy, and science fiction. It is an easy and cheap way to read pulpy stories without worrying about wear and tear.
Trade Paperbacks
The other primary type of paperback book is trade paperbacks. These are the most common type of book on the market and account for most sales. Most bookstores will likely be well stocked with these kinds of paperbacks. Nearly every book will be released in trade paperback either immediately or shortly after it is published.
The trade covers are similar to mass market paperbacks, but they can be a bit more dignified and higher quality. They are also slightly bigger, often around 5.5 or 6 inches x 8.5 or 9 inches. Trade paperbacks are still easy to transport and might be a little more durable than mass market.
At Cloverly Christian, your book will always be released in trade paperback. You will be involved in the entire creative process of designing your book for release. This is the most common format, and will likely be a majority of your print sales.
Hardcover Books
The other type of print book is hardcover, with stiff binding around the pages. Dust jackets often accompany these books to protect the book from wear, but hardcovers are sturdy. Visually, hardcover books often look nicer than paperbacks. Libraries often stock hardcover books to keep books in rotation after countless uses.
With the high quality of a hardcover book comes higher costs for both the publisher and consumer. This makes sense for books with higher profiles when they are first released because it adds a level of prestige. It also makes the retail price higher to maximize sales. Readers can often find hardcover books at a discount at used bookstores, it may require waiting for availability.
For interested authors, Cloverly Christian offers the potential to release hardcover books. As mentioned, paperbacks are more common in the market, so those are prioritized. However, upon request, your book can also be published in hardcover at a higher cost.
Digital Books
The easiest format to release a book is digitally. Digital eBooks are simply documents of your book sold through online retailers. Once a consumer buys the eBook, they can read it on any of their eReaders (Kindle, Nook, etc.). The production cost of an eBook is extremely low, so more of the purchase price becomes profit.
There is a huge market out there for eBooks. Many people prefer the ease and convenience of carrying a full library of books in their pocket. They get the same text as a print book in a digital format without taking up space on a bookshelf.
When you publish with Cloverly Christian, your book will always be available to purchase as an eBook. This will make sure your book is truly accessible to every interested reader.
Audiobooks
Audiobooks are fully narrated recordings of a book. This allows interested readers to become listeners and listen to your book. Listening to an audiobook provides the same content as a print book, with less strain on the eyes. People can even listen to audiobooks on their daily commutes.
When crafting an audiobook for release, there are production costs separate from a print book. The biggest expenses are the narration and the production. If you are creating an audiobook, it is always best to hire a professional voice artist to professionally record it. After it is recorded, audio engineers mix the files to create a perfect final cut. This will be released to the market on all online audiobook platforms.
To cover the increased expenses of audiobook production, retail prices are often higher. But, there is a huge market of people who prefer to listen to audiobooks. Cloverly Christian has an entire division dedicated to creating audiobooks. Whether converting a previously-published book or a new release, our team will create an audiobook that fits your book perfectly.
