Wednesday, December 12, 2012

What's up with Ebooks? PLUS a Christmas giveaway!


Like many authors today, I’ve been keeping a close watch on how ebooks are changing both the publishing world and the way we read. Two years ago, my husband gave me a Kindle as an anniversary present, and at the time I wasn’t sure I would use it. I was wrong. Today, I love the fact that I can buy a book when I need it both for my personal reading and my kids schooling without having to visit the nearest bookstore (which for us is a loooong, day’s drive). I also love the fact that I don’t have to lug a pile of books on vacation or to the beach.

I recently did a poll on our blog here for our readers to learn what you think about ebooks and if those opinions had changed since last year when I did a similar poll.  

One of the things I found interesting is that last year, 59% of those who responded said that they owned an ebook reader. Today the number is much higher at 87.5%. Today, the majority of you, 56.3% buy one to two books a month, while 31.3% buy 3-5 books a month.

Last year, 61% said they downloaded free books. This year, 50% said they download more than 6 free books per month, but only 28.6% read all of those books.

What about a fair, ebook price? Last year, the majority said $1.99-$3.99, but this year, 46.7%, by far the majority, said $3.99-5.99.

One thing that hasn’t changed, is that with an ebook reader, people are buying more books. 71.4% of you said you buy more with an ebook reader. I definitely find the same to be true for me.

Another thing that has stayed the same is what motivates you to actually buy a book. The top reason, both years, was the blurb followed by the author.

While this poll was by no means intended to be scientific in anyway, I find it interesting to see now technology is changing the way we read and buy our books. And for myself, beside the ease of reading an ebook, I’m also in the process of putting up some of my backlist as ebooks, something that I couldn’t even have imagined a few years ago.



YOUR TURN!

I’m currently reading The Secret Keeper by Sandra Byrd and Soul Detox by Craig Groeschel—both on my Kindle. What are you reading this holiday season, and it is an ebook or a good, old-fashioned paperback? (Which I still love, BTW!)



P.S. GIVEAWAY!

As a fun extra, since Christmas is coming soon, I’d like to give away four ebook copies of my Christmas novella, Undercover Cowboy. Leave a comment below with your email address. Drawing closes Friday at midnight PST, December 14th)

Merry Christmas to all of you and thanks for dropping by our blog!


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LISA HARRIS is a Christy Award nominated author who has over twenty novels and novella collections in print. She and her husband, Scott, along with their three children, live near the Indian Ocean in Mozambique as missionaries. As a homeschooling mom, life can get hectic, but she sees her writing as an extension of her ministry which also includes running a non-profit organization The ECHO Project. To find out more about her books you can visit her website.





Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

11 comments:

  1. Great post! I have a Kindle, my daughter save me for Mother's Day a couple of years ago,and I love it. While, there is nothing like a print book,e-books are easier to carry and you can take so many with you at your fingertips. I am reading both an old fashioned print copy and e-book copy. Some prices are a little high to me considering they are e-book copy,but that is the way it is. I would love to win a copy of UNDERCOVER COWBOY!
    Thank you for sharing.

    MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
    AprilR
    tarenn98 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  2. Glad you're enjoying your Kindle, though you're right. I still love my row of print books on my shelves with their beautiful colors. At least we can read both ways. :-) Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. How do the rights for e-books work, I wonder, for those of us who are pulished internationally? My book of prayers for women 'It's Just You and me Lord' was published in the US this October, at the moment in hard copy only. But it is to be published in the UK and British commonwealth in 'Englsh' [as opposed to 'American'!!] by a British publisher. Which version would can the ebook be? Can you have two books, that differ only in spelling selling a ebooks at the same time? Any one else had experience of this? Thankfully I have an agent whose headache this will be, but ...! For the drawing Lisa my email is candlecomm@ntlworld.com

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  4. Congrats on the new book, Marion! That is a great question and one you should definitely look into. Since you will have to print versions with the two 'languages' I would think it makes sense to have the ebook versions reflect the same two versions as long as it was clear to the reader. You're right, though that your agent should be able to guide you through this, but things have gotten more complicated (and better in many ways) with ebooks, haven't they!

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  5. Hi Lisa,
    sorry for the delay in posting. I voted in both poles. I do tend to buy alot on the kindle due to the fact I can get them like you when ever I want as the bookshop is to far away or they are not in Australia. I find it so much easier. I still buy real books but love the kindle. I am also not downloading all free books now.
    What am I reading I have been reading christmas books but this year they all seem to have a hero or heroine who has lost a parent, spouse etc. so I spend my time crying while reaading. The last was Jingle Bell Bride by Jillian Hart. I am now reading Mail order Holiday brides by Jillian and Janet Tronstad. both paper but I have a few on the kindle also.

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  6. Thanks for you input, Jenny! Your in the same situation as I am with regards to not being able just to run to the bookstore and buy the book needed, which makes ebooks such a blessing. And I too have completely limited my downloading of the free books unless I know I will read it. My kindle is full of ones I did download before I realized I would never be able to read them all. LOL Happy reading!

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  7. Lisa mine is also. I am finding I am now getting some of the free ones I have the hard copy of and either donating the hard copy or giving it away. Just wish I could get LI books on it but because mills and boons have rights I cant get them til they are 2 years old.

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  8. That is frustrating, but maybe that will change over time and you won't have to wait. Two years is a long time. You would think they would want the books available as not only is it great for readers, it's income as well!

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  9. They do have them in other forms from Mills and boon but only LIH and they are not compatible with the kindle and reading of the computer isn't fun. But one day I hope we do get them in kindle form here. But on the bright side can add them to the church library.

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  10. Congratulations to April, Marion, and Jenny! I'll be contacting you soon with info on how you can receive your free copy of Cowboy Christmas! Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. Thanks Lisa look forward to hearing from you.

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