The Economics of Furry Book Publishing
We recently got the chance to speak with Kit Silver and ask some questions about some of the business aspects of Furry Book Publishing.
Kit Silver is a seasoned business wolf who spent years navigating the Silicon Valley rat race before shifting his focus to creative ventures. A board member of Sofawolf Press, Kit co-founded the Sofawolf Academy with Jeff Eddy, CEO of Sofawolf Press, to foster a space where Furry writers—both new and established—can grow their voices. Currently working with 24 Carat Words, Kit develops new business, promotes the works of author Kyell Gold, and advocates for the power of storytelling and the importance of media literacy.
Buddy: Hi Kit, thanks for taking the time to chat with us! I don’t really know much about the world of publishing.
When I go to buy a book from an independent author online, I’m always wondering how the platform I buy from impacts the authors downstream. Are different platforms/storefronts more profitable for independent authors than others? Does that vary between formats?
Kit: Great question! The answer is a bit complicated, but I can give you a quick rundown from my experience working with small presses and indie publishing.
Paperbacks tend to be the least lucrative format. Printing costs are constantly rising, and you also have to factor in storage and shipping expenses. If you're working with a publisher, they'll handle logistics, but that means they take a higher percentage of the sale to cover their business costs. Using IngramSpark is an option—it functions like print-on-demand, allowing retailers and libraries access to your books without requiring you to manage inventory. However, shipping costs still apply if you order copies for yourself.
Audiobooks are typically the most profitable per unit sold, but they require a significant upfront investment for narrators and post-production engineers. The cheapest option is for an author to record and edit their own audiobook, but that comes with its own challenges. For distribution, some platforms like Audible offer higher royalties for exclusivity, which also grants access to certain marketing opportunities. However, this locks you into their monopolistic ecosystem. Alternatively, you can choose a lower royalty rate on Amazon to retain the ability to distribute through other channels, like Author's Republic.
eBooks fall somewhere in the middle in terms of profitability. Like audiobooks, Amazon offers better rates for exclusivity, but this means buying into their ecosystem and DRM policies. Recently, Amazon removed the ability to download and transfer Kindle books via USB, further locking readers into their platform.
Buddy: Are there any alternatives to the major platforms that you mentioned?
Kit: Yes! There are now services like BookFunnel that allow authors to host and distribute eBooks and audiobooks directly, giving them control over their own storefronts. This avoids reliance on platforms like Amazon, but it also means missing out on their massive audience and reach.
In the Furry Publishing Community specifically, both BadDogBooks (FurPlanet) and Fenris Publishing have expressed interest in expanding its audiobook distribution in the future.
Buddy: What's the most important thing for new authors to know about the publishing aspect of their work?
Kit: What I'm learning is that publishing isn't a "set it and forget it" process. No matter the format, authors must continuously market and promote their books to keep them visible and selling.
Authors need to consider how much time and effort they can invest and where they want to focus. Ideally, using multiple channels—including one's own storefront—can provide the best long-term sustainability. Just as important is the ongoing effort to grow one's readership.
Buddy: As a reader, what's the best way to support authors?
Kit: The best way to support authors is to help champion their works when you read or listen to something you like. Write reviews. Tell your friends. Recommend for reading groups. Post on social media. The Furry Community is such a distributed and multi-channel community that word of mouth is the best way to market. For those artistically gifted, drawing fan art is also helpful! We're a very visual community.
Buddy: So, spreading the word is the most impactful way to support authors. Does it matter which platform people use to buy the book?
Kit: Well, my personal preference would be purchasing from other Furry-Owned Businesses (like Furplanet Productions, Argyll Productions, Fenris Publishing, Armoured Fox Press) or directly from the indie authors themselves.
But there is additional overhead to managing those relationships, and I know some authors just don't have the time so they use Amazon/Audible. I'm not aware of a Furry Author Marketplace, so to speak, but it'd be great to have one!
But yes, spreading the love and word is what helps best long term!
