Many self-publishers only publish e-books and don't consider or want to publish a print edition. Many feel that e-books will soon surpass paper books and believe it too bothersome to format their book to be printed. Many believe it would not sell because readers won't buy a self-published print book.
Can I say they are wrong? No. Can is say they are right. No again.
I don't know if e-books will ever surpass paper books, they might, probably maybe, but it is not sure. What is sure right now is that paper books still dominate the marketplace and e-books are catching up.
Paper book is more difficult to format for some, but to others it's much the same difficulty as formatting an e-book. Like e-book formatting, print book formatting requires an initial investment of time to figure out how to do it. It's a skill that once figured out is easier the next time you do it.
Do people buy books from self publishers? I know is that the
books I published on Createspace sell less than those I published on
KDP, however they do sell. If I can sell a print book without much promotion, so can any other writer.
Still, being able to publish a print book and sell a few copies is not the only reason why I do it. I love the idea that someone has a physical book I wrote in their hands and reading it, it makes me smile every time I think about it. (Am smiling while writing this.) Another reason is that I want to tap both markets. The print market share is just too large to just ignore. I want to cater to all readers. And by doing so I increase my chances for one of my books to get off and be discovered by the masses. Not publishing in print you'll miss out on all those readers who don't want to read from a screen. Another thing why I do it, is that a print book, in the hands of a reader, promotes itself to those around the reader. Unlike an e-book, when a reader reads a print book in a public space, people will see the book-cover, and hopefully also the title, and might get intrigued which might spur them to buy a copy of their own.
So yeah, I would recommend getting a print version, even if it just for your own ego to fill your bookcase with your own books.
