“A hardcover book will cost $1.50 to $3 more to produce than a trade paper…but the cover price will rise $7 to $10. So the return on the investment in hardcover is greater. Simply put, ‘We make more money per book when we sell hardcover books.’ BUT we’ll also sell fewer books, since the price tag will keep many buyers from purchasing until it comes out in paper.” Chip MacGregor (MacGregor Literary)
Book connoisseurs collect hardcover copies. Collectors like to keep them pristine. Most people have some of both hard and soft covers and possibly a few of what they used to call “dime” paperbacks because, if I’m not mistaken, they used to cost a dime in drug stores many years ago.
While I understand the practical aspect of the costs of creating a hardcover versus a soft cover book, I am not one who prefers a hardbound book. I will pay the accelerated price for my favorite authors if I must, but that hummer better have a high word count and preferably a sale price. I buy far too many books to want to spend top dollar for every one of them, especially if the stories within them become less than memorable.
Dee Henderson wrote a bestselling series featuring each adult member of a “family” assembled by young “inmates” at an orphanage who pledged to always look out for and take care of one another. There are six novels in the series and a prequel to the first in the series. A few years ago this series appeared in one very large hardbound book, but I believe there were a limited number of copies produced. Similar large hardcover books have been put together containing a few of Karen Kingsbury’s serial novels. If I’d only read a portion of either series, I’d definitely be tempted to purchase one of the big books. Unfortunately, I bought and read all the books before they appeared in this form. However, I thought it was a good idea, a neat way to have the collection in one big book.
I prefer the soft cover books because I buy so many of them. And as I said before, if I don’t particularly like the novel, I would rather have paid less for it than more.
So, do you have a preference? Why?
Father, you created all kinds of book lovers and all kinds of books. Your creations are expressed in so many ways through so many of your people. Thank you for meeting the creative needs of your people and using their talents for your kingdom. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
*Please remember Kristy Dykes and her family in your prayers.*
Into the Fire 
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