A Guide to Reading Formats

There is a lot of talk within the bookish community on particular reading preference. The format options of a book are something that can make or break the sale of your book. But do you know why? Are you interested in learning the different formats I’m talking about? Read on to learn about reading formats you should utilize.

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You see, there are millions of readers in the world. With the advancement of technology, it has further advanced the way we read. As a self-published author, it can be a lot to take in. You think well everyone likes a physical copy of a book so that is what I’ll offer my readers. But you need to take a second and think.

Not all readers like physical books. Some people have difficulty holding a book for long periods of time. Others prefer the convenience eBooks have to offer. Many people have busy lives but they can listen to your words. There are tons of examples of the benefits to having multiple book formats.

Now what are these reading formats your may be asking. I’m here to tell you that they are all doable and can pay off if you take the time to learn.

1. Physical Book

The most obvious answer here is a physical book. When you were first introduced to reading, weren’t you given a physical book? Many people like being able to flip the pages of a book to get a real feel of the progress they make while reading.

It’s a familiar and trusted option when it comes to reading. You never have to worry about a device dying on you and you’re able to read in the sun without an annoying glare. Being able to feel the paper beneath your fingertips is also a major benefit.

However, there are some drawbacks of physical books that you should consider. Physical books can be heavy especially if they are on the larger side. They also can get wet if it rains or you’re sitting by the pool and get splashed. You also are limited to the number of physical books you can bring along with you as they take up much more space.

One final downside is the amount of time it takes to format a physical book. There is a lot that goes into formatting a physical book to make sure the text is laid out correctly. It can take several proof copies to get the formatting right. In my guest post over on Elgee Writes, I discuss the key elements to look for when formatting your book.

Physical books share a large space in reader’s hearts which is why they are a good option to provide readers. Sometimes readers just prefer having a physical book to read.

2. eBooks

On the opposite end of the reading spectrum we have eBooks. These books can be read anywhere as long as you have an app on your device or an eReader. eBooks are popular because you can carry hundreds of books with you without the weight of physical books. Doesn’t that sound great?!

eBooks are a great and fast way to get your book out into the world. They take the least amount of formatting which is a great time saver when it comes to publishing your book.

However, it’s not all that great with eBooks. You see because all eReaders have a battery limit. Once you reach that limit you’re no longer able to read your books. It also can’t get wet or it could potentially ruin the device you’re reading on.

eBooks are fantastic for those who travel light or want to read without the lights on at night. They are easy to format which saves you time when it comes to publishing your book. By having an eBook ready for purchase, you are able to reach anyone that has a device to read on.

3. Audiobooks

The final format for readers is audiobooks. These books are something you must work with a narrator or record yourself reading your novel. Audiobooks are gaining popularity as people’s lives are getting busier. The convenience of being able to multi-task while listening to a book has great appeal.

Audiobooks are a great way to enhance your readership because you are opening your book up to a new and growing possibility. As audiobooks become readily available, it is very likely that more people will start to utilize this method of reading.

However, audiobooks are a listen only form of reading. This can be a problem with understanding the book as you can’t go back to reread what you missed or didn’t understand. People may also be turned off by the narrator of your book. If this happens, people may feel like your book isn’t good and stop reading it.

Audiobooks are a great revolution in reading that is worth taking advantage of now while the industry is still growing. Unless you’re narrating yourself, crafting an audiobook takes almost no effort on your part besides marketing. If you’re interested in creating an audiobook for your book, check out my Amazon ACX Audiobook post where I explain how to create your own audiobook.

You have the right to choose how people can read your book. For some books certain formats don’t make sense and that’s alright. But by being aware of the formats out there allows you to decide how you can best reach your audience. Remember your audience is the way you make your sales so their preferences for certain reading formats are important.