Do I Need an Editor Before an Agent?
September 14, 2022
In the digitalization era, authors and publishers are constantly asking themselves: “Do ebooks sell more than print books?” The question, as straightforward as it appears, has a complex response based on genre, audience demographics, and publishing models.
The Current State of Ebook vs. Print Sales
Publishing has evolved tremendously since the advent of ebooks. Although the majority believed that physical books would be a thing of the past, reality has been otherwise. Do ebooks actually sell more than print books? Let’s find out.
According to the Association of American Publishers, print books retain a big segment of the market in 2024, though ebooks account for a big share of overall book sales. The division between them differs extensively along various segments in the market.
Market Segments Where Ebooks Dominated Print
Compared to print, however, some book genres have stronger sales in ebooks:
- Romance novels – The romance genre always has higher ebook sales compared to print, with certain publishers reporting 70-80% of romance novels selling more in digital form
- Science fiction and fantasy – These are technology-embracing audiences that more likely read digital formats
- Thrillers and mysteries – The “binge-reading” tendencies of these book types make ebooks so handy for readers
- Self-published titles – For authors selling directly through our Author Hub platform, ebooks often outsell print editions thanks to reduced production cost and increased royalty rates
For the independent author considering the self-publishing path, it’s important to know about these market forces. Our Author Hub offers in-depth tools to ensure maximum ebook and print book potential.
The question isn't whether ebooks sell more than print books—it's about understanding which format best serves your specific readers and publishing goals.
Where Print Books Continue to Reign
Despite digital growth, print books continue to reign in certain major categories:
- Kids’ books – Physical books remain the kid’s favorite, particularly picture books and early readers
- Art and cookbooks – Visually dense books thrive in physical form
- Gift books – Print books are still a gift favorite
- Academic and educational resources – Though changing, many schools continue to utilize lots of physical textbooks
A Pew Research Center poll states that approximately 65% of Americans have read a print book over the past year, whereas 30% have read an ebook, demonstrating that print is still experiencing higher overall readership.
Hybrid Reading Habits
In examining “do ebooks sell more than print books?”, it’s useful to recognize that readers tend to be format-agile. A survey by BookNet Canada discovered that over 40% of book buyers buy in more than one format—often buying both digital and print versions of the same book.
This trend makes the question no longer necessarily which format outsells the other, ebooks or print books, but how the formats interact together in the new world of reading.
Publisher Revenue Considerations
Unit sales are one thing, but revenue is a different tale. Even if ebooks surpass print books in unit sales volume, print tends to bring in more revenue because of its higher prices. The typical ebook retails between $3.99-$9.99, whereas print books usually sell between $14.99-$29.99.
This difference in revenue necessitates that publishers and authors carefully determine their format and pricing strategy. Visit our Author Hub for detailed revenue calculators that can help in planning the optimal publishing strategy for your specific title.
The Impact of Audiobooks
No consideration of whether ebooks sell more than print books would be comprehensive without including audiobooks—the fastest-growing segment in the publishing business. According to the Audio Publishers Association, audiobook sales have been expanding at a rate of roughly 25% annually, transforming the debate from a two-format decision to a three-format market.
Most authors find their books performing well across all three formats, each one accessing a different part of the audience. Our Author Hub platform provides full distribution channels for ebook, print, and audio formats.
Self-Publishing Trends
For indie authors, the question “do ebooks sell more than print books?” has a more conclusive answer. The digital-first approach remains the dominant approach to self-publishing, with ebooks typically accounting for 70-80% of indie author sales based on Draft2Digital.
Self-published authors benefit from:
- Higher ebook royalty rates (usually 70% vs 25% for print)
- Lower production costs
- Easier international distribution
- More control over pricing
Learn more about streamlining your self-publishing strategy with our comprehensive Author Hub resources.
Geographic Variations
When asking “do ebooks sell more than print books?”, geography is a significant factor. The US, UK, and Australia have higher ebook acceptance, while the majority of European and Asian markets are print-based.
According to Statista, ebook market penetration varies from over 30% in the US to under 10% in some European countries, creating varied opportunities depending on your target audience.
The Future Outlook
Future of publishing, according to the prediction of the experts, is the continuing coexistence of formats rather than one determining whether ebooks sell more than print books. Frankfurt Book Fair industry forecast is that print books will continue to have cultural significance while ebooks offer convenience and accessibility.
Successful authors are increasingly format-agnostic, publishing their work in whichever format their readers prefer. Our Author Hub platform is configured to make this multi-format publishing strategy easier.
Conclusion: So Do Ebooks Sell More Than Print Books?
The answer to “do ebooks sell more than print books?” remains: it depends. While ebooks dominate some genres and self-publishing, print books still enjoy decent readership and income in many genres. The best publishing strategies embrace both formats, aware of their relative strong points and audiences.
For personalized advice on your publishing journey in every format, visit our Author Hub to access a wealth of resources, distribution options, and expert advice tailored to your writing goals.
What has been your experience with ebook vs print sales? Have you been noticing one format is outselling the other consistently? Share with us in the comments below!
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