Do I have to have a paperback, hardback, and an e-book as well as an audiobook? 

No one is required to publish in all formats, but offering multiple formats can broaden your potential audience and increase sales. How you choose to publish your manuscript is entirely up to you, unless you are published by a traditional publisher.

The first thing to consider is your overall strategy and publishing goals. Then your budget, and which format your audience prefers. The strategy you choose will inform the budget requirements. If you do not have the funds readily available, you have the opportunity to go after the budget. With multiple ways you can fund your book, you don’t always have to rely on your salary or savings.

One of the most cost-effective ways to publish is to release the e-book on pre-order day, followed up with the paperback on ‘Launch Day’. Large traditional publishers will launch with a hardback copy, but this option may not be possible for you. We tend to launch hardbacks around an anniversary, international day, or a month later at a ‘post-launch party’.

Why?

Because this gives those who have already ordered the e-book and paperback version time to read and review it. Invite readers to the post-launch party to share their love, insights and questions, giving them a VIP feeling. Launching the hardback at this special event also gives those who have not yet ordered a choice of the three formats. This is all happening whilst the audio book is being recorded and uploaded to ACX and other audiobook platforms.

ACX have a fluctuating schedule and can take months to approve audio files. Releasing your book into multiple formats prior to the audiobook release keeps that momentum, awareness and sales growing!

You may only be interested in publishing an e-book. If your book is low on text and heavy on blank spaces, then e-books will not be an option – unless you get creative with the publishing methods.

If you wish to discuss the various strategies and publishing options available to you, book a consultation call with Dawn – and make sure you have something to write with, because she will give you more ideas than you bargained for!