Which do you prefer?
I love the feel of a good book, the hard cover, crisp new pages, that fresh smell of ink on paper. Or in the case of older books, there is the subtle yellowing of the pages, the musty, dusty smell from years of accumulated dust and wear.
There is something about a print book that beckons to you from the shelf as your eyes move across the rows and rows of titles, searching for that one book you must have for your evening’s entertainment.
Sometimes you’re looking for an old friend, something comfortable with no surprises. You’ve been here before and enjoyed the journey.
Other times you hope for excitement, romance, a little mystery. Maybe there’s a new world out there to visit, or a hidden corner on this one with a delectable little tale to tell.
But what about eBooks?
They have their advantages. If you travel for a living, or if your headed out for a couple of weeks, it can be difficult to carry the books you hope to read. In some places, it can be difficult to find books written in your language. If you don’t read the language of the region, you may be short of reading material.
My husband travels for work and is a voracious reader. He would need at least one extra checked bag just for books–which would get expensive.
His e-Reader is a lifesaver! He can take a whole library with him and pick and choose what he wants to read, from old favorites to new acquaintances. He isn’t destined to reread those same three books he’s been reading for the past month.
All of his favorite authors are represented, in all their genres.
When I travel with him, we each have our favorites and our to-reads with us, so we’re never without something to read. I can read at the airport while waiting to depart, read on the plane, and have something new to read around the pool when I arrive at the hotel.
Do I like eBooks? The stories are the same, no matter the format. I love being able to bring a wide assortment of books with me when I travel.
Do I prefer eBooks? No. They like the intimacy of the print books for me. There are no book covers begging to be caressed as I read. There is no scent adding to the experience of text on paper. There are no little identifying marks from where someone dripped coffee on the page while reading at the breakfast table.
Nowhere are there bite marks from the cat seeking attention, or wisps of fur between the pages from a friend who passed long ago.
Are print books a thing of the past? I hope not.
Do I offer my books in e-Format?
Yes.
There are too many reasons why people use eBooks in this day and age not to do so. Limiting your readers to a choice of either one or the other cuts you out of a good portion of the market.
Jareth, First Lord is now available for Kindle at Amazon. Watch for Viviane, First Lady for Kindle later this week.
Both are currently available in paperback as well.
What’s next? Keep your eyes open for Mistaken Identity, a romantic intrigue set in a distant star system on the verge of war.
After Mistaken Identity watch for Master of the Fleet, an alternate timeline of America, where elemental magic rules the world.
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One with laughter, drama, temper, and tears? But with a happy ending?
