by Jay Hartman
Q: With the advent of ebooks and ebook readers, is there really any reason to make my book available in large print?
A: Oh heck, yeah.
One of the common misunderstandings about ebooks is they’re ideal for everyone who can’t see well enough to read traditional print books. I’d have to argue that’s not true.
For example, the Kobo Reading app for tablets and other devices limits how large you can make the font. I love Kobo compared to Kindle, but not being able to get the font large enough for my use is a deal-breaker. The Libby app for Overdrive library checkouts does an exceptional job at font size but is limited by the font the publisher chose. If the publisher didn’t anticipate readers need to adjust font size, style, and create a locked EPUB, the experience will disappoint.
Then, there’s sunlight. Ever tried to read on an ebook device or tablet while out in the sun? Definitely not the best experience. Heat and electronics are a bad combination.
There’s a basic truth—sometimes, you want to hold a print book. I miss paperbacks. My shelves are full of titles I can no longer read because my eyes can’t manage the print size.
I look to my local libraries for large print material and I’m not alone. A 2017 study showed 97% of rural libraries provide large print materials for their patrons, not limited to the elderly or those with poor eyesight.
Readers say large print is faster to read, easier to use, and is still legible under poor lighting conditions.
Publishers such as Thorndike Press invest significant funds into large print, as they release 1,100 adult books and 1,000 young adult titles annually.
If you publish through Amazon and/or Ingram, the good news is both KDP and Ingram are set up to accept and produce large print in paperback or hardcover. Adjust your margins and font sizes to ensure the best possible format. My recommendation is to use the guidelines from the American Council of the Blind that we followed at Untreed Reads.
Then, advertise the heck out of your large print editions. Make sure your local libraries know they’re available. Promote at senior centers, ESL classes, and schools. Ensure promotional materials you create for your book mention large print availability.
Looking to get The Publisher Perspective? Send your questions to jhartman@thejayhartmanagency.com with TPP in your subject line. If your question is used, we’ll send you a free ebook from Untreed Reads.
Jay A. Hartman, founder of Untreed Reads Publishing, promotes ebooks with an emphasis on independent authors and publishers. He’s written about the ebook industry for fifteen years and previously served as content editor for KnowBetter.com, one of the internet’s oldest sites reporting on ebooks and epublishing.
