Advice for writers
for writers
Do You Need an Ebook? Print vs. Ebook for Authors
Why Most Books Belong on Screens and Shelves
There’s nothing quite like holding a printed copy of your book. But many of your potential readers will never pick up a print book at all. They read on Kindles, phones, tablets, and library apps, often late at night, on commutes, or the moment a friend recommends a title.
For most authors, the question isn’t print or ebook. It’s how to make the most of both. This guide covers the ebook market, the benefits of publishing an ebook, when ebooks matter most (and when print matters more), formatting and distribution decisions, and pricing basics.
The ebook market in numbers
U.S. publishers earned $2.2 billion from ebooks in 2025, up 3.2% from the year before. (AAP)
Libraries recorded 379.4 million ebook checkouts through OverDrive and Libby in 2025. (OverDrive)
Print still accounts for about half of publisher revenue, so the two formats complement each other rather than compete. (AAP)
More data: Publishing Industry Statistics
The benefits of publishing an ebook
➜ Reach readers who prefer digital. Many readers, especially heavy readers in popular genres, buy mostly or only ebooks.
➜ Instant, global availability. Readers anywhere can buy and start reading your book in seconds, with no shipping costs or delays.
➜ A lower price point for readers. Ebooks typically cost less than print editions, making it easier for new readers to take a chance on an unfamiliar author.
➜ Strong royalties. Amazon KDP pays 70% royalties on ebooks priced between $2.99 and $12.99 (minus a small delivery fee), far more per sale than most print editions. (Atmosphere: KDP ebook pricing)
➜ Library lending. Ebooks can reach library patrons through platforms like OverDrive/Libby and Hoopla.
➜ Accessibility. Adjustable text size, fonts, screen readers, and built-in dictionaries make ebooks accessible to many readers who struggle with print.
➜ Promotional flexibility. Ebook prices can be changed quickly for limited-time discounts and promotions, a powerful marketing tool.
➜ A longer life. Ebooks never go out of print or out of stock.
➜ Lower environmental impact per copy, with no printing, warehousing, or shipping.
When an ebook matters most
An ebook is especially important if:
➜ you write genre fiction, such as romance, fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, or thrillers, where many readers read primarily in digital
➜ you’re writing a series, since readers who finish book one can buy book two instantly
➜ your readers use Kindle Unlimited or other subscription services
➜ you want international readers, without shipping costs and delays
➜ you plan to run price promotions to build an audience
When print matters more
Print remains essential, and sometimes primary, for:
➜ children’s picture books, which are mostly bought in print
➜ gift books, cookbooks, and coffee-table books
➜ highly illustrated or design-heavy books
➜ books sold at events, signings, and speaking engagements
➜ bookstore and local sales
Even in these cases, an ebook can still reach additional readers. It just may not be the main format.
Ebook production: what to know
Reflowable vs. fixed-layout formatting
➜ Reflowable ebooks let text adjust to any screen size and the reader’s font settings. This is standard for novels, memoirs, and most text-based nonfiction.
➜ Fixed-layout ebooks preserve the exact page design. They’re necessary for picture books, cookbooks, and heavily illustrated books, but less flexible on small screens.
Other production considerations
➜ Professional formatting: Clean ebook formatting, with working tables of contents, consistent styles, and properly sized images, makes a big difference in reviews.
➜ ISBN: Amazon doesn’t require an ISBN for Kindle ebooks, but many other retailers and distributors do. Each format should have its own ISBN if you assign one.
➜ Cover: Your ebook cover should be readable as a small thumbnail. Ebook covers are front-cover only.
➜ Accessibility: Descriptive alt text for images and properly structured headings improve the experience for all readers.
Exclusive (KDP Select) or wide?
One of the biggest ebook decisions is where to sell.
KDP Select (Amazon exclusive)
➜ Your ebook is enrolled in Kindle Unlimited, and you earn from pages read.
➜ It’s eligible for Amazon promotional tools.
➜ It requires 90-day exclusivity for the ebook.
➜ Since September 2025, KDP Select terms allow distribution to public libraries as well, but not to other retailers. (Atmosphere: KDP Select and libraries)
Wide distribution
➜ Sell on Amazon and Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and more.
➜ Reach readers outside Amazon and in markets where other retailers are strong.
➜ No Kindle Unlimited income.
Which is better? KDP Select often works well for genre fiction with strong Kindle Unlimited readership. Going wide often suits literary fiction, nonfiction, and authors with international or library-focused audiences. Many authors test one approach, then reassess.
Ebook pricing basics
✦ Most ebooks are priced within the 70% royalty range on Amazon ($2.99–$12.99).
✦ Debut and first-in-series books are often priced lower to encourage discovery.
✦ Specialized nonfiction and established series can often support higher prices.
✦ Promotions: temporary price drops can boost visibility and reviews.
For a deeper look: Amazon KDP Ebook Pricing: Should You Raise Your Ebook Price?
Print, ebook, hardcover, or audio? Formats at a glance
| Format | Best for | Key advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Paperback | Most books, bookstores, events | Affordable print copy, widely available |
| Hardcover | Gift books, libraries, literary fiction, nonfiction | Durability, prestige, higher price |
| Ebook | Genre fiction, series, international and price-sensitive readers | Instant access, high royalties, flexible pricing |
| Audiobook | Listeners, commuters, memoir, nonfiction, series | Fast-growing market, library audio demand |
Related: Should You Make an Audiobook?
Ebook vs. Print Book FAQ
Do I need an ebook if I already have a print book?
For most books, yes. An ebook reaches readers who rarely buy print, makes your book instantly available worldwide, and can earn strong royalties. Picture books and highly visual books are the main exceptions where print usually leads.
Do ebooks hurt print sales?
Generally no. Many readers stick to one format, so an ebook usually adds readers rather than taking them away from print.
Do I need an ISBN for my ebook?
Not on Amazon KDP, which assigns its own identifier. Many other retailers and distributors require an ISBN, and each format should have its own.
Should I enroll in KDP Select?
It depends on your genre and goals. Kindle Unlimited can be valuable for genre fiction, while distributing wide reaches readers on other platforms. KDP Select now allows library distribution, but not other retailers.
How much should I charge for my ebook?
Many ebooks are priced between $2.99 and $12.99 to qualify for Amazon’s 70% royalty rate, with lower prices for debuts or first-in-series books and higher prices for specialized nonfiction.
Can picture books be published as ebooks?
Yes, using fixed-layout formatting, which keeps the illustrations and text positioned as designed. Most picture book sales are still in print, though.
Publish in every format your readers want
Readers choose formats the way they choose books: by habit, convenience, and preference. Offering your book in print and ebook, and possibly hardcover and audio, ensures that every reader who wants your book can read it the way they like.
Every Atmosphere Press publishing package includes professional print and ebook production with global distribution, so your book reaches readers in bookstores, online, and on screens around the world. Packages can also include hardcover and audiobook editions.
Related reading: Can KDP Select Books Go to Libraries Now? · How to Get Your Book Into Libraries · Publishing Industry Statistics
Atmosphere Press is a selective hybrid publisher founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. Our books have won dozens of awards and sold tens of thousands of copies. If you’re interested in learning more, or seeking publication for your own work, please explore the links below.