In my last post, I asked readers if they purchased books from author websites (ebooks and/or print books and/or audiobooks. In addition to comments on the post, I invited readers to answer a survey. So for this post, I thought I would share the results. And if you participated, thanks so much.
My first question was to see if readers are taking advantage of these offerings. I know it is happening in certain genres and age groups, so I was interested to see if readers of Christian women’s and romantic fiction (represented by the authors of this blog and, therefore, I assume the readers of the blog) were doing so. The results: 41% have purchased directly from authors and 59% have not done so to date.
My next question was for those who have purchased directly from an author website. Would they recommend it to others? Most (86%) would recommend it. Only 14% would not.
Finally, I invited comments (pros and cons). Here is a sampling:
- I love that authors have more control and they get paid more. I miss the fact that bookbub doesn’t know when they are having sales on their personal websites because I love how I can mark a book on my wishlist there and wait for a sale. This helps my budget soo much!
- I really enjoy being able to buy both paperback and e-books direct from the author. A lot of times they’ll have a Media Mail ship rate too which is nice because its cheaper than buying from elsewhere sometimes.
- I like being able to control delivery dates on Amazon for new books. I have trouble getting my computer to work with some websites.
- Pro: Happy to give the author more of the money for their efforts.
Cons: I often have “digital credits” from Amazon and my husband, who does most of our online shopping, gives me exclusive use of them. It, of course, goes all to book buying. - 99% of my books are on Kindle. Buying direct from the author works well enough. Although, sometimes the Bookfunnel app doesn’t download to kindle as neatly as kindle formatted books do.
- I buy primarily through Amazon because of the convenience of getting a gift card and applying it to my account, I feel it is safer than having my account information all over everywhere. I have not taken advantage of authors’ stores. I do use Bookfunnel when I have won books or as part of a street team and that’s how the books are delivered. I mainly load those to my Kindle.
- I didn’t realize many authors were doing this, but I will certainly look into it. I’d rather support an author directly than Amazon.
- So far I haven’t done that, except for the odd free story here and there. I am good with Amazon, but would probably let other people know that the author website is an option. I also keep gift cards stocked in my account and draw from those when I order a new ebook from Amazon. Having all the books in one place is helpful too. For paperbacks from particular authors, I’ve been using Baker Books for my pre-orders. I love the free shipping option. If they aren’t a Baker Books author, then I use Amazon or Christian Book Distributors.
- I am fortunate to help some Christian fiction and nonfiction authors with copy editing on their indie books, so I get many books that way and am probably not the best to answer these questions. But some of these nonfiction authors have been blocked from some sale sites for supposed controversial topics — ah, so much for open discourse! I do not buy anything from that major online retailer of books — whether books or other items — unless they are the only source, or I was given a gift card, or I need to buy from someone’s gift registry if the items are not easily available otherwise. That site has too many objectionable items and books, and I am all about supporting mom-and-pop stores, or Christian sites like BakerBookHouse.com (especially for used books–this site is my go-to) or ChristianBook.com.
- I have over 6000 books on my kindle. I have downloaded several books from bookfunnel but I’m limited in what I can do with those books. Several times I have just opted to skip when offered free books on bookfunnel. I can’t just download them from my device and pick them up again and my kindle gets very full as you can imagine. Once the bookfunnel books are on my kindle, I have to keep them or trash them. No other choices. I can understand the author’s frustration with Amazon, but it is an Amazon device and they make it work for their company.
- I’m mostly purchasing via Amazon, Baker BookHouse and Christian Book Distributors.
- I prefer paperbacks, and not all authors sell the paperbacks in their websites. I frequently see ebooks only. On occasion, I’ll buy an ebook, but most of the time looking for the paperback. I would choose a signed book from the author website over amazon, even if it was a little more expensive.
- I would not mind trying it, but I like being able to go to one place to buy my digital books
- I’m still old school. I drive to a book store and purchase paperback books with cash. Not sure if this info is helpful, but I hope it is.
Thanks again to all who participated in my little survey. I hope, however you get your books, that you’ll enjoy many wonderful stories in the weeks and months to come.
~robin
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Robin Lee Hatcher
Author
Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her 90+ books have won multiple awards, including the RITA, the Christy, the Carol, the FHL Reader's Choice, and the National Reader's Choice Awards. Robin makes her home in Idaho.
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Fascinating responses! Thanks for sharing them, Robin.
😀