One of the things I’m mulling over this month are all the writing projects I’ve got. I feel contracted because I’m planning to publish whichever I go ahead with as eBooks. Only I rarely read eBooks. I’m a physical book gal, through and through. Sometimes it’s convenient to have an eBook, but it’s not my preference.
So can I publish something that’s not in a format I like? Well, reality aka my budget will dictate a giant YES, but I’m not sure that sits well with me. It feels hypocritical. It’s logical and a sound business decision, but writing isn’t only a business, it’s a personal creative practice.
Do I go for a Print on Demand service? Because I’m a physical book gal I would like to have hard copies of books I write – for bookshelf bragging, for gifts, to donate copies to local libraries…many reasons.
I would love to know your thoughts on this.
Do you read eBooks?
Would you buy a physical book if it cost a lot more than the eBook?
Do you think authors should publish in both formats?
I much prefer ‘real’ books, but because I do book reviews, I mostly receive access to eBooks (for a limited time period usually). Which means I get super excited if a publisher ever sends me a book.
Once upon a time I bought stacks of books, then I cut back and was only allowed to buy them for special occasions / holidays / long weekends. Of course now I only work a little so I’m really not allowed to buy any!!!
Alas!
There is something about paper…but then at the same time I often wish I had an eBook copy of paper books when I want to read a few but not carry them all.
I read books off my Kindle mainly. I’ve never downloaded an eBook off a website, I’m a bit scared because I don’t know how to do it. I’m sure once I learn I’ll be doing it all the time. (That’s supposing you can download them onto your Kindle? I don’t think I’d bother reading them on my computer and I don’t have an iPad. I like real books too, but it’s just so convenient with the Kindle. Especially for getting my monthly book club books at the right price and quickly.
Most eBooks from websites are pdfs, so you can open them on pretty much anything. But that does bring up a good point – trust in the data/source is higher on a site like Amazon/using Kindle.
If I had a Kindle I would but I don’t so stick to hardback, I also like holding a book more than staring at screen as I star at screens ALL DAY.
I think that’s what puts me off of eBooks – my day job keeps me in front of a screen enough!
I like both. I’ve been reading real books the last few ice read, and I do enjoy it, but I also like my kobo. One thing that’s good is that you can eat while reading, because you’re not trying to hold a really heavy book open whilst using a knife and fork. 🙂
Ah, now I developed the book reading and eating skill when I was about 6 or 7 haha.
I love my Kindle. I love that I can read it in the dark while I’m putting my 2-year-old to sleep (which can take a long time). Mostly I buy ebooks and I only buy physical books if 1) I’m likely to refer back to the book a lot 2) It’s not available as an ebook 3) it has artwork in it that I want to look at.
That’s a great point – the handy nature of reading in the dark is useful!
I swing both ways with my books – I like to have a choice. I will buy a real book if I know I am going to love it. If it is a ‘fling’ book, than electronic is fine. I like to have the choice though, so I say do both.
The price of eBooks does make it easier to get some ‘fling’ books (love that term haha). The standard prices on places like Amazon do make me wonder if there’s any profit there for me in selling on those platforms though.