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You are reading: Types of paperback books
overview Here is an explanation of the differences between the two main types of paperbacks: mass market paperbacks and trade paperbacks. As a self-publisher, these are the two formats you’ll typically deal with most often. therefore, you must be familiar with and understand the similarities and differences. therefore, here is a quick discussion and explanation of mass market paperbacks and trade paperbacks.
what you will learn in this publication 1. you will learn the important features of mass market paperbacks and trade paperbacks. 2. You will learn how each type of these pocket books are similar and different. 3. You will learn how British paperbacks compare with those in the United States.
Introduction In the United States, the most common formats for printed fiction and nonfiction books fall into three main categories:
1. hard-cover; 2. trade paperback; and 3. mass market paperback.
each of them can be divided into several more categories. but here, we are concerned with understanding the differences between the two types of paperbacks. As a self-publisher, these are the two formats you’ll typically deal with most often. therefore, you must be familiar with and understand the similarities and differences.
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Here is a quick discussion and explanation of mass market paperbacks and trade paperbacks:
1. mass market paperbacks summary for the masses on a budget. A mass-market paperback is a smaller, usually non-illustrated, less expensive binding format. the standard size is 6.75″ high x 4.25″ wide, and often uses a smaller font, leading (pronounced: ledding), and line spacing. when they are sold by big publishers, they are often published after the hardcover edition. and are best known for being sold in non-traditional book sales venues such as airports, newsstands, pharmacies, supermarkets, etc. some people refer to them informally as “pocket books”.
and are best known for being sold in non-traditional book sales venues such as airports, newsstands, pharmacies, supermarkets, etc. some people refer to them informally as “pocket books”.
a. sales and distribution books in non-traditional locations are generally within the periodical distribution industry. These books are distributed by the same companies that place magazines in these places. by contrast, trade paperbacks are distributed through book wholesalers and distributors, or trade channels, hence the name “trade paperbacks.”
b. Detachable and non-detachable mass-market paperbacks are also distinguished from hardcover and trade paperbacks by the different business practices that publishers and booksellers apply to them. mass markets are “detachable”. this means that bookstores can tear off the cover and return only the cover for full credit from the distributor. book retailers are supposed to destroy the rest of the book. conversely, trade paperbacks cannot be taken apart. therefore, book retailers must return the entire book, not just the cover.
“Understanding the differences between the ‘mass market paperback’ and ‘trade paperback’ formats will help you start to feel and sound like a real book publisher.” (tweet)
c. self-publishers when self-publishers publish their fiction books, they are usually only published in the mass market format. this format helps keep the cover price low, making these books more attractive to a wider audience in a very competitive market. these books will generally never receive a hardcover printing.
2. trade paperbacks overview trade paperbacks are the least expensive version of the hardcover edition. They are usually the same size as hardcover books, but slightly smaller because the binding is done differently. they usually have a thicker cover than mass market books. and they don’t have the extra thickness, width, and height of a hardcover. You will know if a book is a trade paperback or not by looking at the back cover and title page. here you would normally find the removable notice.
a. Cover Sizes and Prices Self-publishers who write and publish nonfiction often publish trade paperbacks. and these will typically be 5.5” x 8.5” or 6” x 9”, and less common 8.5” x 11”. the retail price is almost always higher than mass market books and lower than hardcover editions.
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b. French flap An interesting recent feature of trade paperbacks is the “French flap” or gatefold. this feature is an extension of the front and back cover with a section that folds back on itself, much like the paper wrappers or dust jacket normally found on hardcover books. it is intended to make the trade paperback more like a hardcover edition, but with a lower cover price.
3. a quick note on uk paperback formats “a format” is usually 110mm x 178mm (4.33″ x 7.01″), similar to the standard market paperback mass usa uu.; the “b format” is usually 130mm x 198mm (5.12″ x 7.80″), similar to the large mass market us paperback. uu. or to the little trade paperback; “Format C” is typically 135mm x 216mm (5.32″ x 8.51″), similar to the standard US trade paperback. uu.
conclusion understanding the differences between these two standard book formats will help you start to feel and sound like a real book publisher. Plus, when you browse bookstore shelves for design ideas for your book, you’ll now have a better understanding of what you’re looking at.
This new knowledge will help you make a more informed decision about what your book should look like and how you want it to look. Hopefully, you are now one step closer to designing and creating a professional-looking book that you can be very proud of creating.
Questions for us to reflect and discuss 1. Have you taken the time to explore the different formats of books while browsing a large bookstore? 2. What struck you about the differences and similarities?
• this article is also published on linkedin.com • this article is also published on ezinearticles.com
mass market paperbacks vs trade paperbacks: a guide for self-publishers https://t.co/vyqx1fn8od via @jckunzjr a bit long but interesting and informative! #galleryfourhamdenct
– gallery 4 (@gallery4ct) July 9, 2020
hashtags: #selfpublishing #bookmarketing
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