Since I am preparing several manuscripts for release soon, I did a series of Twitter polls on the preferred format of release. The results are as follows below. While these are not ‘scientific’, unlike say, nothing, they seem right, and while results no doubt vary by field, this seems mostly right.

 

For a new book, do you prefer:

— David M. Levinson (@trnsprtst) September 23, 2017

 

For a book with lots of pictures, do you prefer

— David M. Levinson (@trnsprtst) September 23, 2017

 

For a book with paper distribution, which do you prefer:

— David M. Levinson (@trnsprtst) September 23, 2017

 

For a book with electronic distribution. Which would you prefer at the same price (ePub w/ flowing text, PDF w/fixed format) …

— David M. Levinson (@trnsprtst) September 23, 2017

 

In short, for paper, you clearly want softcover AND color. You probably want cheaper paper, but I suspect this really depends. A slim majority prefer PDF to ePub format at the same price.

So you will get softcover AND color, and I will fret about whether the paper/image quality from the higher cost is worthwhile. If there is demand, there may be hardcover too, but I don’t think anyone but my mom and maybe a library will get it.

You will get PDF, and maybe ePub too if I’m feeling either generous or obsessive.