Should Indie Authors Publish E-Books, Print, or Both?

So, you’ve finished your manuscript. (Cue the confetti!) Now comes the big question: how do you share your story with the world? Do you go digital and drop your book onto e-readers everywhere, or do you give readers that satisfying crack of a paperback spine? Maybe you’re wondering if you should just do both and call it a day.

Publishing your debut book is definitely thrilling and something to celebrate (cheesecake, anyone?), but it can also feel overwhelming. After all, writing, revising, and editing the manuscript was only half the battle. Now comes the business side of being an author: deciding how to package your story, where to publish it, and how to actually get it into readers’ hands. Should you launch an e-book first? Do you invest in a paperback? Or do you try both and double your chances of reaching readers?

For many new writers, the sheer number of choices can feel paralyzing. Every path has its pros and cons, and what works for one author may not work for another. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to figure it out blindly. By weighing the advantages and drawbacks of each format, you can choose the publishing strategy that fits your budget, your audience, and your goals as a writer.

The truth is, each option has its own quirks. Some are great, some not-so-great. Below are some of the pros and cons for both paperback and print options as a new indie author.

The Case for Paperbacks

There’s something timeless about holding a book in your hands. The weight, the feel of the pages, even the smell of fresh ink—it’s an experience that e-books just can’t replicate. For many readers, paperbacks aren’t just a preference; they’re part of the reading ritual. That’s why offering a physical edition can add legitimacy to your work and help you connect with audiences who value the tangible side of storytelling.

Pros

• Broader Appeal: Some readers won’t touch an e-reader, so having a paperback version means you’re reaching more people.

• More Affordable Than Hardcovers: While most indie authors skip hardcovers, paperbacks are a cost-effective physical option.

• Design Freedom: With trim sizes and back-cover space, you get more room to play with design and blurbs. (Don’t worry; we all hate writing blurbs.)

• Marketing Tool: Sending paperbacks to ARC readers or book bloggers can make for eye-catching PR packages.

• Legitimacy in Bookstores: If you dream of having your book displayed on a shelf in a bookstore someday, print is the way to go about attaining that dream.

• Distribution Options: Ship signed copies yourself for a personal touch (though shipping costs add up) and get the thrill of practicing your autograph.

Cons

• Higher Production Costs: Printing, cover art, and shipping eat into your margins.

• Risk of Damage: Physical books are vulnerable to bent corners and shipping mishaps.

• Platform Limitations: Many bookstores won’t accept KDP-printed paperbacks, as these tend to be viewed as “not real books” by some stores. Found a store that accepts KDP-printed books? Great! Just bear in mind that this doesn’t hold true for all bookstores.

• KDP Select Headaches: If you use another service for paperbacks while your e-book is in Kindle Unlimited, KDP can flag your book for “copyright issues.” This can cause a lot of frustration, especially if you ever need to update your ebook files down the road.

• ARC Logistics: Getting paperbacks to reviewers means handling inventory and postage. This means time, effort, and money.

Pro Tip: If bookstores are part of your dream, invest in your own ISBN through Bowker. It’s viewed as more professional and makes your paperbacks easier to stock.

The Case for E-Books

E-books, on the other hand, have thrived in the digital age. With just a few clicks, your story can travel across the world and land on someone’s Kindle, tablet, or phone in minutes. For many readers, the convenience of carrying an entire library in their pocket is unbeatable. And for indie authors, e-books often mean lower costs, faster distribution, and greater accessibility—making them an attractive option for a debut release.

Pros

• Low Upfront Investment: E-book formatting and cover design are cheaper and quicker.

• Instant Distribution: Your book can be in readers’ hands worldwide within hours.

• Bigger Profit Margins: No printing or shipping costs to worry about.

• Accessibility Features: Screen readers, font adjustments, and text-to-speech make your book available to more people.

• Attractive Price Point: Lower pricing makes it easier for new readers to take a chance on an unknown author.

• Convenience: Readers can carry a library in their pocket—perfect for travel or commutes.

Cons

• Saturated Market: With thousands of e-books released daily, visibility is tough. It can be difficult to even get your book seen.

• Tech Barriers: Not everyone owns an e-reader or has Wi-Fi access.

• Platform Overload: Between Kindle, Nook, Apple Books, Smashwords, the options can feel overwhelming if you don’t know the nuances of the different platforms or where you should publish your digital book.

• ASIN Limitations: Amazon’s ID system can make it harder to distribute outside their ecosystem.

Pro Tip: Use e-book promotions to your advantage. Limited-time discounts or free days (through KDP Select or other platforms) can boost visibility, earn reviews, and help you climb the rankings—especially useful for new authors trying to get noticed. Smashwords runs a few different “e-book weeks/months,” and you can garner more downloads with free promotions on that particular platform. If you’re still unsure, KDP is probably the easiest way to get started. Just remember to consider purchasing an ISBN through Bowker if you’re going to publish on Amazon or even Kindle Unlimited. (Bear in mind that KDP Select/Kindle Unlimited has an exclusivity clause. Your e-book can’t be published on any other platform while enrolled in Kindle Unlimited.)

Should Authors Consider Both?

Here’s the thing: the “right” choice depends on your time, budget, and goals. E-books are cheaper, faster, and accessible worldwide, but paperbacks bring credibility—especially if you’re eyeing bookstore shelves or want to do signings.

Your audience matters too. Younger, tech-savvy readers tend to lean toward digital, while older readers often stick with print. Certain genres, like romance or thrillers, thrive on e-readers, while fantasy and special edition collectors love the tactile joy of a physical book.

For many indie authors, the sweet spot is doing both: release an e-book for instant reach and pair it with a paperback for legitimacy and marketing opportunities.

Pro Tip: You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with the format that best fits your budget and add the other later when sales or funding allow.

The Bottom Line? Think Ahead.

Publishing your book is exciting, but it’s also a business decision. That means you need to think about your future as an indie author and where you want to go with it. Whether you choose e-book, paperback, or both, remember this: the format won’t sell your book for you. You will. Marketing, building connections, and showing up for your readers are what make the difference.

So, don’t stress too much about which path you take first. Start where your budget and audience make the most sense, and grow from there. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that your story makes it into readers’ hands, no matter if that’s in the glow of a Kindle screen or the dog-eared pages of a paperback.

All my articles are free, and I’m happy to share the things I’ve learned along this very long road of publishing and marketing I’ve been on. (I still cringe when I think of the 2013 NaNoWriMo “book” I self-published, not knowing a damn thing about any of it. It was the very first piece of writing I put out under my legal maiden name. It wasn’t even a full book—it was 30k words, and believe me when I say it was bad.) But consider signing up for my newsletter! I'm looking to feature indie authors in every newsletter, so please reach out to me at allieharperauthor@gmail.com if you're interested in a free feature. No cost, no requirements; I'm simply looking to support more indie authors.

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