Print books vs. E-books

Where to start?

First, I’d like to start by saying, I’m working on getting The Broken H into print as quickly as possible. I’m a firm believer in having my books in ebook as well as print. So, those of you who’ve written me, I promise I am working on it. Please be patient with me. Just know if it was solely up to me, I’d have it in print already.

Now, why do I want both print and ebook? Any e-book author out there knows the prejudices against e-book authors. So, why do I have e-books?

I have e-books, and will always have e-books, for several reasons. The first most important reason is because having my books in ebook format allows readers, who would otherwise not be able to read them, to read them. There is a surprisingly low number of books in audio and/or Braille. Through the use of a screen reader, visually impaired readers can read my books.

Also, as a reader, I love e-books. I have so many print books that I’m running out of room. E-books are so much easier to store. I only have so much wall space that can be taken up with book shelves.

But what about the prestige? Why remain in ebook, when you can go into print? Yes, I’ve had those questions asked a number of times. I started out in e-books in the hopes of one day getting into print, because I too like so many others was under the misconception that somehow ebook writers weren’t as good as print authors and that it was easier to get into e-book than print. And yes, I’d say from my experience it is easier to get into e-book than in print. Are the authors less talented? Absolutely not! In fact, as a reader, I’d have to say there are far more talented and imaginative writers in ebook format than in print. It seems to me that e-books (we are talking reputable presses here) are only easier to get into because they allow their authors the freedom to express themselves the way they want to. Now, that said, I must admit I’ve never encountered that problem in print, but I’ve heard from others, big NY published authors, that yes there is a certain amount of censorship. You have editors telling you no you can’t do that. Which leads me to my next point.

Editors. Ebook editors are lousy. WHAT? No, they aren’t, I challenge anyone to read one of my books and say my editors are lousy. Are there unqualified editors in e-books? Yes, probably. In fact, yes I know there are, I’ve read a few books and said to myself, “Did they even have an editor?” However, I’ve seen just as many print books lately where I’ve asked myself the same thing. Usually, I find it more obvious in very popular author’s works. After reading some of my favorite authors, I seem to be constantly thinking, “I hope I never get so big where an editor is afraid to call me on something” or “I hope I never get so big I won’t listen to an editor’s advice.” And yes I realize this blog entry could probably use an editor:-). I do make my editors earn their money. And I adore them both, they make me look good.

Ah, but what about print? Don’t you like having print books? It would seem to some readers, book and certain organizations, feel that you are not published unless you have a print book. I really hate that attitude. Many of my favorite authors are e-book authors and they can certainly hold their own with any other author, famous or otherwise It is nice to be able to hold up a print book to those people and say, “see I am published,” but is it the end all be all? No. I honestly see as much quality in e-books as in print lately.

So, why do I care if I’m in print? Because I want to be able to reach as many people as possible. There are different audiences. And not everyone who only reads print is some sort of snob who thinks e-books don’t count. There are many reasons people read one format over another. There is neither a right nor a wrong, it’s just different. Does it say anything about the quality of the author? NO way! And before you argue. I’m not even considering myself in the equation, I’m looking at it from a reader stand point. There are just as many talented authors in print as in e-book. Ebook or Print, we are all authors.

Written by JL Langley

JL is a full-time writer, with over ten novels to her credit. Among her hobbies she includes reading, practicing her marksmanship (she happens to be a great shot), gardening, working out (although she despises cardio), searching for the perfect chocolate dessert (so far as she can tell ALL chocolate is perfect, but it requires more research)
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