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PAM JENOFF | Hard or Soft...How Do You Like Yours?
March 24, 2010
Books, that is. One of the topics authors, agents and editors spend a lot of
time discussing is the publication of a book in hardcover or paperback. Like
many new authors, I had long imagined walking into a bookstore for the first
time and seeing that shiny hardcover on the shelf. So I was a little
disappointed when I learned that the publisher had decided to publish my first
novel, THE KOMMANDANT’S
GIRL, as a trade paperback instead. The reason was simple: numbers. The
sales force had discovered they could get a lot more books into the stores in
trade paperback format than hardcover. For me, the decision turned out to be a winner. Not only were we able to get
more books into the stores, but we were able to get into stores that only have a
limited book selection and tend to take more paperbacks, such as Sam’s Club,
which otherwise might not have been possible. Trade paperbacks seem to be a
natural fit for book clubs and other reading groups, too. And let’s face it, it
is far easier to ask family and friends to shell out $12-$15 for a trade
paperback than $20 plus for a hardcover. So I was quite happy to have my second
novel, THE DIPLOMAT’S
WIFE, published as a trade paperback as well. For my third novel, ALMOST
HOME, the publisher decided to go with a hardcover. I discovered there were
advantages to that approach as well. Libraries seem to prefer hardcover books,
since they hold up better against all of the frequent borrowing and handling.
Hardcover books also seem to generate more attention for book reviews. And with
hardcover, there is usually a paperback at some point down the line, so you get
two bites at the apple. My informal survey of reader preferences suggests that they are all over the
map. Some prefer hardcover for its sturdiness or as a permanent addition to a
book collection. Others like trade paperback for the cost and ease of transport
on commute or vacation. And this debate doesn’t even take into account mass
market paperbacks (the smaller sized paperback you often see in supermarkets and
airports.) At this point, I’m indifferent - I just enjoy being published and read. And if
I earn more per book with hardcover, I sell more copies with trade paperback, so
that seems to be a wash too. But I’m curious: as readers, which format do you
prefer and why? Let me know here or email me through my website.
Comments
17 comments posted.
Re: PAM JENOFF | Hard or Soft...How Do You Like Yours?
I'm on a VERY tight budget and I try to buy as many books as I can because I donate them all to a the local state-run nursing home, so I prefer paperbacks because they're cheaper and I get more for my money.
(Donna Holmberg 1:46am March 24, 2010)
I prefer mass-market paperbacks. I can stuff them into my bag or backpack more easily.
Most of my reading for pleasure is done in bed late at night. But paperbacks are easier to handle if, at the same time, I'm cuddling one of my cats.
(Mary Anne Landers 2:27am March 24, 2010)
I prefer paperbacks but buy some keeper books in hardback, too.
(Marlene Breakfield 8:55am March 24, 2010)
Yes. Basically, if I've been anxiously waiting for the next book in a series, I'll take it any way I can get it. Otherwise, paper is fine, whether it's a TB or an MMB, which do fit in my purse better than the TB's do, I must admit!
Later,
Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 2:10pm March 24, 2010)
As a reader, I prefer the trade size paperback. They are easier on my arhritic hands and the print is easier on the eyes....Gads I'm getting old....But I do love to collect some of my all time favorites in hardcover for my bookshelf.
(Mitzi Hinkey 2:41pm March 24, 2010)
I prefer paperbacks both the mass & trade sizes. I have a handful of hardcover books & I got them on sale everytime...they are just too expensive for me to justify buying one book at a price when I could get 2 or more for the same cost.
(Anna Hoque 2:46pm March 24, 2010)
At home I like hardbacks, but when on the go, like the light weight of paperbacks. As a teen, I took a lot of books on my first backpack trip. After about an hour, my shoulders were groaning and those hard books got farmed out to everybody else, so we could get on with the hike. I've never forgotten the trip or how "heavy" books can be.
(Alyson Widen 4:17pm March 24, 2010)
If I am collecting & intend to keep a series I buy hardback. Otherwise paperback satisfies.
(Mary Preston 4:58pm March 24, 2010)
Like them both, but paperbacks are easier to read while you are eating. TeeHee!
(Kelli Jo Calvert 5:10pm March 24, 2010)
Either one is ok with me. Just as long as I get the books I want to read! LOL
(JoAnn White 6:29pm March 24, 2010)
Soft is easier for me to hold, whether riding in the car, soaking in the tub, or resting.
(Karin Tillotson 6:45pm March 24, 2010)
Like others here, I'm on a very tight budget, but I also have too little space. That means that my shelves have to be set so that they will just accommodate regular paperbacks. I'll often read a book in hardcover when it first comes out and then get a keeper paperback. In addition I have problems with my hands and a paperback is lighter to hold.
(Sigrun Schulz 7:27pm March 24, 2010)
MMP- I can two of them for the
price of a trade size and
almost 4 of them for the price
of a HB. I don't reread or
keep them. I pass them on so I
go with the MMP
or buy them used if only available as a HB or trade
size.
(Lisa Richards 9:26pm March 24, 2010)
I prefer mm paperbacks, cause of the price!! I will by trade-size pbs, tho. Hardcovers, I try to get from the library!!
(Martha Lawson 9:40pm March 24, 2010)
What is the difference between a trade paperback and a norman paperback? I like paperback books, but am unfamiliar with the prior one.
(Gladys Paradowski 10:30pm March 24, 2010)
I usually like the paperback since it will fit easily in my purse. But if a book is coming out in hardback by one of my autobuys and I know that it will be at least 6 months I will buy it. I have no patience in waiting to see what happens in a story.
(Cindy Olp 12:11pm March 25, 2010)
I prefer mass market paperback because they take up less space, but will get trade size if that's what comes out first. There are only three authors I read that I will buy in hardcover. And that's only because they changed to hardcover well into the series and I don't want to wait the extra year to get the story.
(Carol Cobun 3:50am March 25, 2010)
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