Reviewing the Formats in Which Your Book Could be Published
After spending months writing and perfecting your book, it is time for your book to be published. However, how will your book look on the shelf? All books have nearly the same information on the outside of a book: cover art, title, author, blurb, quotes, etc. However, the binding is what differentiates the print formats, while some have no physical binding at all.
There are a few common formats for books in the modern-day publishing industry. These are paperback, hardcover, digital, and audiobook. Each format and binding have their purposes in the market. This article will outline how each of these formats is used in the publishing world.
Paperbacks
Paperbook books make up a majority of the book sales today. These books are the ones whose bindings are flexible. When you hold a paperback book, you can bend the cover. The cover is also typically only a little thicker than the inside pages. The soft cover makes these perfect for taking on the go.
Paperback books are the cheaper form of physical book to produce. This lower production cost means that the retail cost is lower. That makes paperback a more economical option for consumers.
In the subset of paperback books, there are trade and mass market paperbacks. They are often similar to most consumers, but they have technical distinctions.
Trade Paperbacks
Trade paperbacks are the most common type of paperback book. These are the standard paperbacks that look similar to their hardcover counterparts, just with soft binding. The cover art is often identical to hardcovers and are printed as a first or second edition. There is not one uniform size for trade paperbacks; they are typically between 5-6 inches by 8.5-9 inches.
Mass Market Paperbacks
Mass market paperbacks are often recognizable because they are smaller than trade paperbacks. They often measure around 4.25 inches by 6.87 inches, making them much more compact than trade. These are the most accessible books for readers looking to read outside the home; they fit in nearly any bag. They are also the cheapest to produce and therefore the cheapest to purchase.
Despite the accessibility, mass market paperbacks have some trade-offs compared to trade paperbacks. Primarily, the font of the text is tighter and smaller to fit on the more compact pages. Mass market paperbacks also are typically limited to certain “pulp” genres: romance, science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, etc. As a result, the covers of these books are often more showy and not as refined as other books.
Hardcovers
Hardcover books have the same exact content as paperback books, but the binding is rigid and inflexible. These are more durable and have higher reuse value than paperbacks. Hardcovers are perfect for libraries. There are often dust jackets to go around the front and back covers to protect the book itself.
The major limitation of hardcover publishing is the higher cost. It is significantly more expensive to produce hardcover books, which then is passed on to the consumer. Some readers may prefer hardcover books, especially when they plan on rereading or displaying it. Not every book is best suited to being published in hardcover, but it greatly benefits more established authors.
eBooks
The first non-print format your book can be published in is as a digital eBook. This is a digital file of your book that can be read on an eReader: Nook, Kindle, iPad, etc. The content of the eBook is exactly what is printed in paperbacks or hardcovers, just digitally. Consumers can purchase this eEbook directly from the online retailer of their choosing. Since there is no significant production cost, digital books result in the greatest profit per purchase for the author.
Consumers of eBooks are typically loyal to the format. There is the most flexibility because anyone can bring their entire library of books anywhere. Individual eReaders can also have accessibility features that make reading easier, such as different font sizes and colors.
Audiobooks
The final potential non-print format your book may be published in is as an audiobook. This is a fully recorded and produced narration of your book, from the first page to the last. The audiobook market is not new, but it has been gaining steam in the digital age. Anyone can listen to audiobooks wherever they go, whether driving, commuting to work, or on a plane. It lets them “read” with their eyes closed, which is easier and more convenient for some people.
Audiobooks often carry a significant production cost. That goes into hiring professional narrators and audio engineers to create the highest-quality product. Therefore, the retail cost of an audiobook can be higher than print. But, the people who like audiobooks are devoted to the format.
When you convert your book to an audiobook, Cloverly Audiobook will be there every step of the way. We help you select narrators, finalize the final recordings, and put it up for sale. You will have total input at every point, and you will be proud of the final product.
