I'm sometimes a semi-intense reader of SF, but I always buy paperback simply because the hardcover form factor is completely and utterly impractical.
For years, my main reading environment was on the subway, commuting to college and (later) work. A paperback is trivial to stuff into a bag, while many of the hardcover editions that come out first look as if they're supposed to be in the Grand Temple of Reading, preferably on a dedicated 100% smooth marble table or something.
I don't know how many times I've been to my preferred SF bookshop, spotted instance n of book series m finally on the shelves, hefted it, and though "nope, this is unusable, I'll wait". Then, six months later the paperback is out, and gets bought.
I think (I don't know since I've never tried it) I would be ready to pay more for a paperback at the date the hardcover is out. Maybe not hardcover price, but perhaps 50-80% more than what the paperback will cost, once out.
I'm sometimes a semi-intense reader of SF, but I always buy paperback simply because the hardcover form factor is completely and utterly impractical.
For years, my main reading environment was on the subway, commuting to college and (later) work. A paperback is trivial to stuff into a bag, while many of the hardcover editions that come out first look as if they're supposed to be in the Grand Temple of Reading, preferably on a dedicated 100% smooth marble table or something.
I don't know how many times I've been to my preferred SF bookshop, spotted instance n of book series m finally on the shelves, hefted it, and though "nope, this is unusable, I'll wait". Then, six months later the paperback is out, and gets bought.
I think (I don't know since I've never tried it) I would be ready to pay more for a paperback at the date the hardcover is out. Maybe not hardcover price, but perhaps 50-80% more than what the paperback will cost, once out.