Are printed books worth the effort?

My answer is yes.  You need to feel the real book in your hands and see it with your eyes.  To know that you have a book that makes you a published author is worth all the work you have put into writing that story(s).  It is one thing to see your story(s) online, but it's not the same!  There is no substitute psychologically or spiritually, and the euphoria that brings joy, builds confidence, and creates a sense of accomplishment.  That is why you need to have the real book, your book, in your hands.  

A real book is a selling tool that can be displayed and shown to others who are your consumer.  I know online books are big and less expensive, but don't take away what a 'real book' can do for you financially and the notoriety it brings that you want as an author.

I think having print books is important for events so that you can sign them and have giveaways. I do sell some print versions on Amazon because there are readers who will always want a print version, so you should at least have them available as POD print-on-demand.

Printed books are useful in that many book bloggers and reviewers with big followings will only review a physical copy, not an ebook. They're also useful if you want to to signings or to give to libraries or to businesses. For example, if your book relates to crafts in some way, you might be able to convince the local Hobby Lobby to put it in their store for sale. Through platforms like Kindle Direct publishing, you can publish your print version for the cost of the cover design.

I only review printed books and all of my titles are in print. There is something magical holding a book in your hand and entering the world of each character and experiencing the struggles, conflicts and resolutions. Print and the cover that entices readers to explore the inside makes it worthwhile. For children to read a colorful book and hold it in their hands can be exciting and reading it over and over again can be fun. 

Both digital and printed books are needed for all of the listed reasons. Nonetheless, I really do enjoy cuddling up and reading printed books. For me, printed books are tangible treasures that bring readers enormous pleasure. And yes, authors get to sign them at events. Without a doubt, I will always offer the printed version of my books and purchase the printed books of other authors. It is truly romantic to cradle a paperback and have an enjoyable read. And although I enjoy digitals and will buy them, I prefer, and revere printed books and love seeing and touching them on my bookshelves. Printed books are worth the effort even if sold in small quantities. My hope is that readers will continue to buy the printed versions of our books since we labor over both the digital and printed version to have a meaningful impact on readers.

I love printed books for many reasons. As a teacher, I stress the importance of going back to check for foreshadowing and other references. An author/child psychiatrist shared with me once that we first comprehend the world in 3D. That makes so much sense to me as I can vaguely remember the location of a reference on a page and which side of the page it was on. That helps me go back to find it. It's impossible to do in a digital book. Also, when I review books, I can insert post-it notes for the review. And, I just enjoy reading real books. I find that I can remember which books I have to review when I see them physically on my shelf. That doesn't happen with digital books. They sit there, on my digital bookshelf, sight unseen.

Yes. And because of print on demand they don't cost you anything. It is still important to have paper copies of your book. Not only will you make the most money on them, it is key that you are able to give a friend, relative or a fan, a hard copy. 

I love real books.  That said, I wouldn't bother to print my own books on my own nickel because not enough would sell to even break even!

Print books are vitally important for an author. Readers love to meet authors and enjoy buying an autographed book. When service organizations look for speakers, authors make interesting speakers about topics on which they write. Attendees like to buy books from interesting, engaging people they have heard speak.  

I really don't know, but I hope the "printed" word will also hold a place in the hearts, minds, and souls of those who read -- and maybe even find notice in the lives of those people who don't ever bother to buy a book, magazine, or newspaper. As a writer for the past 40 years, I have seen my words on both the printed page and on the computer screen. I enjoy the ease that I can "share" my words with other people by simply copying and pasting a link. But for the real thrill, I open the physical magazine and see my byline. #BySteveWong. It is tangible; I can hold it. I cut it out and could send it to my mother via snail mail when she was still alive. I have a box of clippings in the back of my closet, physical proof that I wrote something, according to editors, that was worth the paper and ink. Now, I have a computer file of links to things I've written online. Some of those stories and articles have never been printed, and some of them suck. They really weren't worth the bytes of data used to scatter them to the digital winds that blow through the short attention spans of today's impatient minds. Those words can simply be deleted with a click. Paper and ink are not forever, but they are more permanent than flickers of light. I hope the things I write are worth more than a flicker and a click.