Monday, November 2, 2009

How did you decide to buy your last book? Vote in the poll! ===>

I'm doing some unscientific research about how people made the decision to buy their most recently read book. Take a moment to respond to the poll, and click on the most important factor that made you buy your most recently read book. I may change this later, but right now I'm only counting books that were purchased, not checked out from the library.

Add your notes in the comments--if you picked "Other," it would be helpful if you explain how you made your purchase. You can also suggest how the poll can be improved, and make suggestions for additional polls. Thanks!
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12 comments:

  1. Kathryn L.November 3, 2009 at 6:53 AM

    I heard a retired coach talking about his book on TV, and they showed it on camera. I sought it out after that.

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  2. Mark TerryNovember 3, 2009 at 9:25 AM

    Complicating factors for me are that I used to review books and publishers still send me books. Yay, me! Recently, one of the blogs I visit regularly noted that a Subterranean Press was offering free copies of Boneshaker by Cherie Priest for people who might review it or mention it on their blog. So, since the cover was pretty cool, I e-mailed them to offer. They sent me the book. So I mentioned it on my blog. Now I'm reading it and will probably review it on my blog. But the last book I bought was a bestseller, the new book by Jonathan Kellerman, and he's one of maybe a dozen authors, many of them bestsellers, that I routinely buy in hardcover.

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  3. Venus de HiloNovember 3, 2009 at 10:23 AM

    The last time I purchased a (fiction) book I downloaded it from Amazon to my Kindle. I don't see that option on your poll.

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  4. Kathryn LilleyNovember 3, 2009 at 1:16 PM

    Venus, you've pointed out a flaw in my poll! I forgot all about Kindle. Dang, I can't edit the poll now that it's got votes, but Kindle could be Amazon, new copy (even though it merits its own category), or Other. I'll refine my results in a future poll. Thank you for your comment!

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  5. Camille MinichinoNovember 3, 2009 at 10:11 PM

    These days I can't imagine buying a new hardcover by an author I hadn't read before, unless a very trusted friend with the same taste as mine recommended it.

    Good idea to do this poll, Kathryn.

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  6. Kathryn LilleyNovember 4, 2009 at 7:03 AM

    I'm the same, Camille--although I do buy books I hear reviewed on NPR, or in the NYT or LA Times. That doesn't bode well for unknown authors breaking into the biz, does it? What is going to take the place of the old system, where publishers built author brands over a number of years? The picture hasn't emerged yet. So far, my poll results indicate that people buy based on what they've read before. Again, not encouraging for newbies.

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  7. FaithNovember 5, 2009 at 6:18 AM

    The last book I bought was by an author I'd read before... because it was the second book in the series! But several books before that I bought because I'd read about them on the author's blog (and never read anything else by them before) or on the strength of the blurb & cover (books I order out of Scholastic Press Inc.'s book orders). I use a wide range of sources to choose books, and definitely enjoy finding new authors.

    Faith @ Literary Coldcuts on Toasty Buns

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  8. Kathryn LilleyNovember 5, 2009 at 8:04 AM

    Faith, it's wonderful that you are willing to try out new authors. It's getting harder and harder for new authors to break through in today's publishing business model and market. Thanks for your comment!

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  9. Terri CoopNovember 5, 2009 at 9:05 AM

    For hardcovers, the tried and true is the rule for me. The next hardcover I buy will be Stephen King's newest which drops next week.

    I do buy some new(er)authors, but it is usually after I read one of their works in the library and then seek out their other books.

    My number two choice on your poll would be social media and blogs. I have an Amazon gift certificate burning a virtual hole in my virtual pocket right now and I am going to spend it on some new authors (well, new-to-me) authors I have been following on blogs like Killzone.

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  10. Kathryn LilleyNovember 6, 2009 at 3:18 PM

    Thanks for the good words about the Kill Zone, Terri! I also find new authors through blogs.

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  11. kathy dNovember 8, 2009 at 5:07 PM

    sometimes i feel like a truffle pig.....snuffling out any new author.....digging until i find one....then i like to find the writings in their "early years". i like seeing how their writing style changes. i rely on my book club....friends.....book critics and reviews {tho' i am very suspicious of them quite frequently!} for instance, you shouldn't recommend nora roberts next book just because she's so established...please, someone read it and recommend it based on it's merit....not her name! i do enjoy indie stores....there's so much more of an intimate feel to them. persistance has paid off for me in my never ending hunt for new authors....ps....thanks for the blog....it's really interesting to hear the writer's side of "wassup" in the literary world. kathryn d.

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  12. Kathryn LilleyNovember 9, 2009 at 7:56 AM

    "Truffle pig"--I love that phrase! Like you, I love finding the writing of authors from their early years. Right now I'm reading a memoir by Stephen King where he shows repros of the school newspaper he created as a young boy, and it's amazing to hear his "voice" breaking through, even though he was incredibly young!

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