Ep 492: What book format benefits authors most?

Ep 492: What book format benefits authors most?

From #AmWriting by KJ

February 20, 2026 · 23 min · Episode 492

About this episode

In this episode, Sarina Bowen discusses which book formats are most profitable for authors.

Hello and welcome to Nerd Corner with Sarina and Jess! I love these episodes because I will never, ever know as much about the publishing industry as Sarina Bowen, and I learn so much from her. This week, she answers a question she got from a listener, paraphrased thusly: Dear Sarina, I want to support you and your work, so which format of your books do you profit from most? The fact that we live in a world where any reader is interested in the answer to this question soothes my troubled soul. So let’s break it down: hardcover, paperback, audio, ebook? What about borrowing from the library? What about subscription services such as Kindle Unlimited? Here are a few helpful links that expand on the topics we discuss in this episode: The Top Five Reasons Pre-Orders Matter This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

People in this episode

Guest: Sarina Bowen

Topics covered

  • publishing industry
  • book formats
  • author profits
  • library borrowing
  • subscription services

Keywords

  • hardcover
  • paperback
  • audio
  • ebook
  • Kindle Unlimited

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Kindle Unlimited, hardcover, paperback, audio, ebook

Books & works: Nerd Corner with, The Top Five Reasons Pre-Orders Matter

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