Variations
Manage different formats of your book—ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook. Each variation can have its own cover, pricing, and publication details.
What are Variations?
A Variation represents a specific format of your book. While a Title is your book as a creative work, Variations are the different ways readers can purchase and consume it.
Terminology Note
In publishing, Variation means format (ebook, paperback, etc.), while Edition means version (1st edition, revised edition). StorytellerOS uses "Variation" for formats to avoid confusion.
Variation Types
StorytellerOS supports these variation types:
| Type | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Ebook | Digital format (Kindle, ePub, etc.) | Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo |
| Paperback | Soft cover print edition | Amazon KDP Print, IngramSpark |
| Hardcover | Hard cover print edition | IngramSpark, special editions |
| Audiobook | Audio narration | ACX, Findaway Voices |
| Large Print | Larger font for accessibility | Libraries, accessibility needs |
Creating Variations
To add a variation to your book:
- Open your Title in the Project Studio
- Click the Variations tab
- Click + Add Variation
- Select the variation type (Ebook, Paperback, etc.)
- Fill in the format-specific details
Tip
Start with your primary format (usually Ebook) and add others as you publish them. You do not need to create all variations upfront.
Variation Details
Each variation tracks format-specific information:
All Variations
- ASIN/ISBN — Unique identifier for the format
- Price — List price for this format
- Publication Date — When this format was published
- Cover Image — Format-specific cover (dimensions may vary)
- Status — Draft, Published, or Out of Print
Print Variations (Paperback, Hardcover)
- Page Count — Total pages in this print edition
- Trim Size — Physical dimensions (e.g., 6x9)
- Paper Type — Cream, white, etc.
- Print Cost — Per-unit printing cost
Audiobook Variations
- Duration — Total runtime
- Narrator — Voice actor name
- Production Cost — Total production expense
A Format in Its Own Series
Some editions are the same book sold in a series of their own, such as a “Large Print Editions” or “Dyslexic-Friendly Editions” series. When you add or edit a format, choose that series under Series for This Format and give its book number. The book itself stays in its original series. The series page lists these formats under Formats in this series.
Note
This is for organizing your catalog. Books you generate in Publishing Studio and store listings still use the book's own series.
Translations
A translated edition has its own Translated Title, Translated Subtitle, Translated Series Title and Book Number in Translated Series. When you add a translation by its ASIN, or click Auto-fill from Amazon, these are filled from that country's Amazon store, along with the publication date. The format is named in the translation's language, for example “Heilung für ihr Herz - Taschenbuch (German)”.
Files
The Files card on a format holds its ePub, print PDFs and the source file you build it from (Vellum, Scrivener, InDesign or a .zip). Click a slot to choose a file, or drag a file onto it. Downloads keep a meaningful name: a source file downloads with the name it had when you uploaded it, and other files are named after the format, such as “Healing for Her Heart - Ebook - ePub.epub”.
Cover Images
Each variation can have its own cover image. While the content is the same, covers may differ in:
- Dimensions (ebook vs. print proportions)
- Spine text (print only)
- Badge or label ("Audiobook", "Large Print")
Note
If a variation does not have its own cover, StorytellerOS will use the Title's main cover image as a fallback.
Pricing by Variation
Each variation has its own price, which typically varies by format:
| Format | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|
| Ebook | $2.99 – $9.99 |
| Paperback | $12.99 – $18.99 |
| Hardcover | $24.99 – $34.99 |
| Audiobook | $14.99 – $29.99 |
Tip
The Sales Studio can help you track actual sales and royalties across all your variations. See Sales Analytics for more.
Variations vs. Editions
A common point of confusion:
- Variation = Different format (ebook vs. paperback). Same content, different delivery method.
- Edition = Different version (1st edition vs. 2nd edition). The content has changed (revisions, updates, new material).
In StorytellerOS, you create a new Variation for each format. If you significantly revise your book, you would update the manuscript and note the edition change in the metadata.
Next Steps
- Characters — Create character profiles for your book
- Products — Manage product listings for your variations
- Pricing Strategies — Learn about pricing your formats