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This article just popped up on Indies Unlimited:

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/0...

It discusses options available for publishing your book in hardcover format. Frankly--and this is my opinion--the investment is so great, and the price of the books to the consumer (let alone you!) so high--as to make this option untenable for the independent author/publisher. I can't even conceive of asking something in the $20s (plus shipping) for a hardback copy of my children's books when it's almost impossible to get people to open their wallets for the much lower-priced paperback edition on Amazon.com

Am I missing something? I'd be interested in your thoughts.

I agree with you, Ted, it's too expensive, and it's too bad for children's books, hard cover would last longer, and libraries probably prefer them..

I did them on Ingram when I moved them off of Createspace. That little project ran a fortune. I had to put new ISBNS in the interior and the covers had to be reformatted. They are selling in mass distribution. Not as much as the paperbacks, but they are moving. I was shocked at what they ended up costing, but I've sold a nice bunch of them.

I have no way of knowing- they don't mention who is buying- but I think libraries are inclined to buy hardcovers.

Thanks, Judy and Carole.

I suspect you are correct, Carole...libraries are probably the only ones who would pay those prices. I once priced out hardcover prices for my YA novel...I would have to sell it for almost $27 to make a buck. Just ridiculous. Needless to say, I didn't do it. And I can't even imagine attempting it with my children's books.

Ted, at $20 it's probably still cheaper than a hardcover from one of the big traditional publishers. Interestingly enough, I just interviewed an indie author (writing supernatural thrillers) who sold 250,000. copies of his first selfpublished novel, and was of the opinion that publishing in every format available shows you are serious about your work, and are prepared to stand behind it, and that counts with readers. If you're interested, my blogs based on my interview with him are the two most recent posts on www.joannaelm.com.

Joanna wrote: "Ted, at $20 it's probably still cheaper than a hardcover from one of the big traditional publishers. Interestingly enough, I just interviewed an indie author (writing supernatural thrillers) who so..."

Thanks, Joanna. I just read your interview. It was very good. That said, the author's literary background was extensive, and his work in his genre is formidable...above and beyond, I dare say, 99% of indie writers today.

Just for grins, I would be interested in knowing how much money and effort he put into marketing during the first six months after FORSAKEN, for example, was published.

Regardless, I remain unconvinced that publishing indie books in hardcover is a worthwhile use of resources. Marketing still remains the major obstacle (to my mind) in the indie author's path, assuming his or her product is viable.

For me, anything has to be cost effective. As a business woman I've never thrown money at anything unless I could see a possible positive outcome. It didn't need to be a sure thing, just possibly helpful. (I have however thrown plenty of money at things that should have worked and never did, but that's business!)

Hardcovers for fiction above school age, as far as I'm aware are not readily available on UK bookshelves. Go into any Smiths as I do with my teenage daughter and it's paperback all the way until you get to the children's books where you'll find a mixture. Hardcovers are in UK libraries. So if I was desperately aiming for libraries I'd consider hardcover. But to produce hardcovers books purely on the grounds that the option exists therefore I should-if the cost is too high-nope.

I do agree that having books available in various formats does show the intent of the author. But for anyone not making any money, if I'd wanted to spend £2300 on getting one book out I would have signed the contract I was offered with the vanity publisher. Just because it's available doesn't mean you have to throw money at it.

Theodore wrote: "This article just popped up on Indies Unlimited:

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/0...

It discusses options available for publishing your book in..."

Hi Ted, I always considered hard covers to be a vanity project of sorts. It's nice to see your work bound in hard cover but as you say the investment makes turning a profit seem unlikely. But hey... you never know right ;)

Eldon wrote: "Theodore wrote: "This article just popped up on Indies Unlimited:

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/0...

It discusses options available for publis..."

Years ago I (and one other author) published a book that was brought out in paperback, and the publisher presented us with hardbound copies to celebrate the release. It was a nice gift.

Theodore wrote: "Eldon wrote: "Theodore wrote: "This article just popped up on Indies Unlimited:

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/0...

It discusses options availa..."

That is a nice gift :D

I did a laminate hard cover for one of my books, and a dust jacket for the other. I had two reasons, of which only one is applicable here. I wanted them for promotions. I think the hardback is more impressive than a paperback.

Libraries are more apt to buy a hard cover.