[On 12/28/12] Publishers Weekly sent out the latest figures for ebook vs print book usage and readership in general between last year and this year based on a survey by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project:
Adult readers fell from 78% to 75%.
16 year old and up readers of ebooks rose from 16% to 23%.
Print book readers fell from 72% to 67%.
Owners of readers/tablets rose from 18% to 33%.
Library borrowers of ebooks rose from 3% to 5%.
Library users aware that ebooks are available to borrow rose from 24% to 31%.
We’re headed toward the inevitable future of ebooks. As the owner of an independent bookstore, this does not bode well for us. I am beginning to feel like I’m sitting in the middle of a buggy whip factory in 1900. All this points out the importance of self-publishing authors learning facility in turning their works into the ebook formats and environments. More than ever, authors must become self-promoting business people to get their products seen and accepted.
May 2013 become a successful year for you!
This is a reprint from Bob Spear’s Book Trends blog.