Ebooks vs Printed Books Part 3

To gather more insight into the ebook versus printed book debate, take a moment to participate in the poll below:

Note: I apologize but there is an error on the 4th line of the first poll question. It should just say "Read or plan to predominately read ebooks". Unfortunately, blogger doesn't give me a good way to fix this without starting over.

Do you...

Indicate any of the following factors that would motivate you to read ebooks over printed books:

Indicate any of the following factors that would motivate you to read printed books over ebooks:

If you read or plan to read both printed content and digital content, indicate for which of the following areas you would most likely use an ebook reader:

If you read or plan to read both printed content and digital content, indicate for which of the following areas you would most likely read printed content:

Ebooks vs Printed Books Part 2

As I’ve gathered information on what motivates people towards printed books instead of ebooks, I’ve found that many of the motivators are intangible or emotional in nature that will probably make it difficult for ebooks to completely overcome print books. I’ve summarized below the different responses that I have received on my blog as well as on the different social networks I participate in.

Here you go:

• Some people love the feel, texture, weight and smell of printed books
• Some people like being able to see the attractive cover of a book while it’s on their nightstand, table, or bookshelf
• Some people have an emotional, nostalgic feeling toward printed books
• Printed books do not require batteries
• Printed books can be read on an airplane during the entire flight, and don’t need to be turned off like ebook readers during take-off and landings
• ebooks are yet one more electronic appliance that requires a charger that people don’t want to have to deal with.
• Printed books are more convenient than ebooks for some people
• More printed books are available from more libraries than ebooks
• Printed books are easier on the eyes than some ebook readers for some people, especially for long periods of time
• Printed books are easier to read outside in bright daylight than some ebook readers
• Some printed books are less expensive than ebooks
• Some people don’t like having to learn how to use a new gadget just to read a book
• Printed books can easily be loaned to or from friends
• Used printed books can often be bought for less than ebooks
• The probability of malfunction, breakage, or loss of an ebook reader can make them much more expensive than print books
• It’s more enjoyable to curl up with a good book on a cushy chair or sofa, an experience that would not be as emotionally satisfying with an ebook reader
• Physically turning or flipping through the pages of a printed book is more satisfying than scrolling the screen of an ebook reader
• Being able to see the physical representation of pages read is more satisfying
• Printed books promote shared reading and the close, emotional bond that can be created between parent and child sitting together to read a book
• Printed books are more accessible and easier to make available to small children
• Ebooks cannot replicate the emotional feeling and entertainment value that comes from turning the pages of a printed picture book or early reader that is being read aloud to a child
• With printed books you don’t have the worry that you have with the potential for your ebook reader to crash, causing your entire library to disappear until you can buy a new reader and hopefully recover all your lost ebooks
• With printed books you don’t have the worry that your ebook vendor might accidentally (or even purposefully) remove from your reader ebooks that you have purchased
• Some people don’t want to trust their entire library of books to a digital network or storage
• Some people simply love being surrounded by lots of real books or looking at bookshelves full of past books they’ve enjoyed reading
• It’s easier for some people to make notes in, mark, or underline text in printed books
• Ebooks cannot adequately measure up to a beautifully illustrated printed children's book
• Referring back to previous pages of text with illustrations in printed books is easier for some people
• People using large font sizes on ebooks have to turn the page more frequently than they do for large type printed books
• For some people the simplicity of the traditional printed book is much more beautiful and emotionally appealing

Did I miss anything else?

Ebooks vs Printed Books Part 1

On my last post I asked for feedback on what motivates people towards ebooks or printed books. I learned a lot from the numerous responses received here and on the different social networks I participate in. I’ve summarized below some of the motivations towards ebooks.

Here's why some people might choose an ebook over a printed book:

- Ebooks save space and don’t require shelf space
- Ebooks are quickly and easily accessible
- Ebooks have the potential to stay in print longer
- Ebooks can be less expensive than print books.
- You can borrow some ebooks from the library with some ebook readers
- Some ebook readers are smaller than some printed books making them easier to carry
- You can store hundreds of ebooks on a single reader, making it easier to bring a large number of books with you
- Ebooks are more environmentally friendly
- You can increase the font size of ebooks making them easier to read with some readers
- Music, audio books, and games can be used on some ebook readers
- Ebooks are easier to read on a crowded commute than print books
- It’s easy to mark your place on ebooks
- Ebooks are more convenient
- Ebook readers have built in dictionaries that make it easy to look up unknown words.
- School textbooks in ebook format would eliminate the need for students to heft so many books in their backpacks
- Ebooks makes it easier to bring more books with you when traveling
- For some people, some ebook readers are less tiring on the eyes than reading printed books
- Easier on the hand, arm, and shoulder muscles to hold than a printed book.
- In other countries (or even rural areas), ebooks in your native language can be more accessible than printed books in your native language
- Using an ebook reader can make it easier to multi-task, such as checking e-mail, making notes, looking up information, and doing research.
- Some ebook readers are easier to read in the dark
- Ebooks are easier to read while lying on your back in bed
- Ebooks are cool!

In my upcoming blogs, I’ll summarize the motivations for printed books, as well as the motivations against ebooks and printed books.

e-Reader Influencers?

I have never used an e-reader before and I’m not sure I ever will. I like holding a book in my hands when I read. But at the gym the other morning I saw a woman reading with an e-reader while she used the elliptical machine. I thought, now that’s a great use for an e-reader. You don’t have to mess with the pages flipping over on their own or keeping them flat. If you want, you can magnify the size of the letters to make it easier to read. I could see myself using an e-reader in that situation.

Another situation where I could see myself using an e-reader was if I was commuting by train or bus to work. When I was in D.C. last summer I saw a number of commuters on the metro reading with their e-readers. Reading from the bulky pages of a book can be a little difficult when standing on a crowded train. An e-reader minimizes that difficulty.

Still, I’m not certain that I’ll ever embrace e-readers, but I can see their value. In the coming days, I plan to post a survey on my blog that asks people about their tendencies toward e-readers vs paper books, and what types of things might or might not influence them toward or away from e-readers.  To do that, I need a list a potential motivations or questions to ask about. If you have any ideas, I’d love to hear them in the comments below

Giving Thanks to Writing Mentors

Becoming a successful writer often requires the help of others. That help can come in the form of presentations at writer’s conferences, support and advice from fellow writing critique group members, other writers’ blogs, and sometimes just a good friend or mentor. As I’ve developed my writing over the past 23 years, I’ve received help from all those sources. However, the greatest impact to my writing development came from two individuals who to a significant degree became my writing mentors in my early years.

The first of these is my good friend Dave Wolverton (aka David Farland of Runelords fame). I met Dave when I first starting writing seriously and just as his career was beginning to take off. He was always willing to share helpful advice, provide kind criticism, and give encouragement. He helped spark inside me the confidence I needed to keep at it and to give me valuable insights on how to improve my writing and career. Dave continues to provide advice and encouragement to thousands of other writers through his “Daily Kick” e-newsletter that anybody can sign up for at www.davidfarland.net.

My second writing mentor is another good friend, picture book author, Rick Walton. When I first started writing picture books, Rick invited me to participate in a critique group that gave me my first glimpse at the essentials of picture book writing. Over the years Rick has continued to be a good friend, selflessly doing what he could to help me and other fellow children’s authors. While Rick is a prolific writer with over 50 books published (more info at www.rickwalton.com) that’s not what makes him unique. Rick has nurtured or contributed in some way to the writing efforts of probably every published and aspiring children’s author with ties to the state of Utah. To some degree the same might be said for many of my fellow Utah children’s authors, but I’m fairly certain that most of them would agree that Rick stands out on top as one who has selflessly given his time and energy to help all the aspiring or published children’s authors he meets.

With this being the month of Thanksgiving, I thought it appropriate to give a shout out of thanks to these two individuals that, whether they realize it or not, have had a significant influence and positive impact on my writing career. So, a gigantic thanks to Dave and Rick for all you’ve done for me and the many others you’ve helped.

Okay, time to name names and give thanks. What individuals have had the most positive impact on your writing efforts or career?

Do Teen and Pre-Teen Boys Like to Read?

I'm conducting an informal survey of why teen and pre-teen boys (ages 10-19) do or do not like to read. If you're a boy ages 10 to 19, please complete the survey below. Please only complete the survey once.

I'll be running the survey until the end of the month. Please share the link to this blog poll with others and encourage the teen and pre-teen boys you know to participate. Thanks.

Do you like to read?

I would read more if:

Books that interest me include:

Cow Can't Sleep

Just signed the contracts for my picture book, "Cow Can't Sleep", which will be published by Marshall Cavendish in Spring 2013.