This is a common question, and a necessary one, as you educate yourself on the merits of both.

For starters, neither is necessarily better than the other. There is no correct option. Choosing one depends on what you are trying to achieve by getting published, your current skill set, and the funds allocated for this project. Inevitably, however, you must choose one for your first effort to become a published author.

After careful analysis, only you can decide which option is best for you, but I recommend eBooks for the following reasons:

• E-books are ecologically responsible
• Ebooks are instantly accessible
• E-books can be created, marketed, and sold in a very short period of time.
• Ebooks can be created, marketed, and sold on your own schedule.
• E-books can be created, marketed, and sold without extensive knowledge of the complex book publishing industry.
• E-books can be traded in places where they might not normally be traded, such as online bookstores.
• Ebooks easily and quickly establish you as an expert in your field
• Ebooks allow you to further explore and share your passion for a subject than with articles or your website.
• Short eBooks can be used for free giveaways, incentives, or as bonus items (the most common way they are used is to build your subscriber list)

If you’re unsure about any aspect of the book writing process, writing an eBook is a great way to familiarize yourself with the nuts and bolts of developing a system that works for you. Start small with a special report or mini-eBook. Although this does not officially qualify as authorship, the exercise builds clarity and confidence.

With the ability to publish an eBook at no monetary cost, it’s a great way to jump-start your writing career.