**For my most up-to-date happenings, check out my Tumblr page: sararaasch.tumblr.com.**

Monday, March 8, 2010

HELP! And 100+ Followers? WOA

So, exciting stuff happens during blogging hiatuses.

Firstly, I now have more than 100 FOLLOWERS. *insert wide-eyed, gaping-mouth stare*

Secondly, I have a book-related school project that I need YOUR HELP with.

I'm a CAPS LOCK mood, apparently.

Being a creative being, I think I shall combine the two into some sort of super-exciting contest. Yes? Yes. First things first though -- that school project. I'm doing a needs assessment paper on the "wicked" problem (no, not that Wicked) of eBooks vs. Real Books. What I need YOUR HELP with is filling out a brief survey. See, I need 30 people to fill out this survey. And since I have 100+ FOLLOWERS now, that should be easy, yes?

Yes?

That's why I'll make it a contest too. From the people who fill out the survey (30! Please!), I will do random drawings with the handy dandy random number generator and gift prizes to, oh, let's say 3 of the 30 people. That's 1 for every 10. And what will the prizes be, you ask? Well, since the project is about eBooks vs Real Books, it seems fitting that the prizes are Real Books. So:

Third Place: The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Second Place: As You Wish by Jackson Pearce
First Place: Candor by Pam Bachorz

Sound good? Good. Now, here be the survey; please, please, PLEASE be one of the lucky 30 who fills it out and gets entered to win 1 of 3 OUTSTANDING books. Please. Don't make me beg.

You can put your answers in the comments section, or email them to me at seesarawrite(at)gmail(dot)com.

Real Books versus eBooks: What Next?

Directions: Please help me understand your needs/concerns/ideas related to the eBook revolution.

1. Role (select all that apply) a) Writer/Author b) Editor/Agent

c) Other Publishing Professional d) Reader

2. Have you purchased or do you own an eBook Reader such as the Kindle, Nook, or Sony Reader?

a) Yes b) Not yet; plan on purchasing

c) Not yet; no plans of purchasing

3. If you answered A or B to question 2, please evaluate the statements below:

Statement

True(T) --- Unsure(U) --- False(F)

I still or will still purchase hard copies of books.

T --- U --- F

I still or will still purchase hard copies of the eBooks I have on my eReader.

T --- U --- F

I only purchase or will only purchase hard copies of books I do not have on my eReader.

T --- U --- F

4. If you answered C to question 2, please evaluate the statements below:

Statement

True(T) --- Unsure(U) --- False(F)

I have tried an eReader and prefer hard copies of books.

T --- U --- F

I have not tried an eReader.

T --- U --- F

I will never purchase an eReader.

T --- U --- F

I would like to try an eReader.

T --- U --- F

5. What is your position on eBooks vs Real Books?





31 comments:

Courtney Barr - The Southern Princess said...

So fun!
I just emailed you the survey!

Congrats on the followers!

Visit My Kingdom Anytime

Unknown said...

Sara,

1)a
2)b

Statement 1.
T,U,T

Statement 2.
F,F,F,T

All the best on your school project and congrats on reaching 100!

ChristaCarol Jones said...

Anything for you, Sara! E-mailing you once I fill them out.

Speech Delay Mamma said...

Emailing you now!
And is there a deadline on this?

Tiffany Schmidt said...

1)a
2)a

3) Statement 1: T,
Statement 2: T (some, not all)
Statement 3: F

4) n/a

5) I love eBooks for working out and traveling, but they'll never entirely replace paper books for me. If I really love an ebook, I buy a paper copy as well. Or, I'll buy someone else a paper copy and demand they read it right NOW so we can discuss.

Good luck with your class!

CLPolly said...

a)writer/author

d) Reader

b) Not yet; plan on purchasing

I still or will still purchase hard copies of books.
T

I still or will still purchase hard copies of the eBooks I have on my eReader.
F

I only purchase or will only purchase hard copies of books I do not have on my eReader.
U

I like e-books vs Real books because of how easy they are to carry.
I like to always have a book with me, and an e-reader does not limit me to only one book, but it allows me to carry various books with me at all times

Amparo Ortiz said...

1) a

2) b

3)T, U, T

5) I believe "real" books are irreplaceable and should still be considered the top choice for readers of every genre. People should always buy the "real" book, and consider the Ebook as the travel-size version for taking on trips or reading somewhere that's not their homes (like at the office, when no one's looking!).


Good luck with your project!!

Editor Cassandra said...

1. A & C (i'm an agent intern)

2. B. I use my iphone for now, but when the price comes down i'll get one.

3. T, F, T

4. n/a

5. I have no problem with eBooks, however, I find that purchasing and reading eBooks without a reader is difficult. In the economy, ebooks may be slightly cheaper (plus they have that "impulse purchase/immediate gratification factor) but there is a HUGE demographic out there that cannot afford them. We'll just sit in our libraries for now and read paper books.

I would hate to see paper books go away (and I don't think they ever will) but there will be a time of finding a balance between ebooks and paper books. (kinda like how some DVD's include a digital copy of the film.)

Anonymous said...

Fun times! Good luck with your project.

1. A D
2. C (maybe someday, maybe not)
4. U
T
U
T

5. I like having real books. I like the way they feel, the way they smell, the way they look on my shelves. I will always buy real books. BUT. I am not opposed to e-books at all; I just don't have any need for them at this point. If I am ever in a position where I am traveling a lot and flying frequently, I would buy an e-reader in a heartbeat. The ability to carry many books in such a small amount of space is great.

Anonymous said...

1. D
2. A (Sony)
3. T T U

My heart will always belong to "real" books, but I do love my eReader for convenience. I own most of my favorite books as an eBook, but I have ALL of my favorites in hard copy format. If I am recommended a book by someone and cannot find it locally, there's a chance I will just buy it as an eBook. However, if I like a book enough that I've purchased as an eBook, I definitely order the "real" book.

Anonymous said...

1. Role: A, Writer

2. B, plan on purchasing

3. T, U, U

eBooks vs Real Books: Current position is that I won't consider purchasing an eReader until it goes down significantly in price as well as having more options (color, etc.). I also hope that eBooks don't completely take over as I think we should always have hard copy of something and becoming completely reliant on technology and electricity like we are is partially detrimental to our society as it makes it harder for us to be more self reliant. Anyway, that's a whole other tangent I'm going off on...

I will eventually buy an eReader but I also hope that it doesn't become the "only" way to read a book.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sara- Happy to help! (and maybe get a book)

1- A, D
2- B
3a- T
3b- F
c- F

5- There is nothing like the smell and feel of a real book. That being said, the ease of use of an eBook reader makes it very appealing. Being able to have a wide variety of work at my fingertips, in something that fits in my purse, has major benefits. Still, wouldn't my beautiful bookcases look so lonely with just an empty Kindle box?

Larissa said...

1. Role
a) Writer/Author
d) Reader

2. Have you purchased or do you own an eBook Reader such as the Kindle, Nook, or Sony Reader?
c) Not yet; no plans of purchasing

3. If you answered A or B to question 2, please evaluate the statements below:
N/A

4. If you answered C to question 2, please evaluate the statements below:

I have tried an eReader and prefer hard copies of books.

F

I have not tried an eReader.

T

I will never purchase an eReader.

U

I would like to try an eReader.

T

5. What is your position on eBooks vs Real Books?

I cannot imagine myself getting rid of real books altogether, but I have not yet tried an ereader, so I am not positive about that. I do see the appeal. (Plus, my husband would LOVE it if I got one. He complains about the # of books I own.)

lchardesty at yahoo dot com

Jade said...

1) a. & d.
2) c.
4) T, F, U, U

I have no problems with them but I still prefer Real Books if only because I like the feel of the paper in my hands.

Natalie Whipple said...

First, I miss you. Second, of course I'll do your homework for you!

1. A.
2. C.

4. T, F, U, F

5. I think both are great—whatever gets people reading. One of the major reasons why I haven't considered buying an eReader is because I can't afford it right now and I'm not sure I would use it enough to justify the purchase. (Hi, I'm a slow reader.) That, and printed books are pretty.

Heather said...

Congrats on the followers!

1. a (unpublished) so also d
2. b (but plans are far off)
3. T; U; T
4. n/a
5. I think eBooks are definitely the future, so it would be silly not to eventually embrace them. However, right now I don't commute or travel a lot, so an eBook doesn't hold a lot of appeal for me. If there was an eBook that had an audio component, that would be cool, because I listen to books in the car quite often. For now, I'm happy to feel the book in my hand and watch as my bookshelves fill with books - but I know one day I'll be glad to make the switch!

Molly said...

Good luck on your project!

1. A, D
2. C
4. U
5. I like both eBooks and Real books, but tend to prefer real books, in that I love the feeling of holding the paper and ink copy in my hands. I DO have an eReader app (Stanza) on my iTouch that I use pretty regularly, which basically eliminates my need for a specific eBook reading device. If given the option to purchase a real book versus a digital copy, I would choose the real book, which I can loan to people and read, no batteries required. :)

seeyouupside said...

Hi Sara! I'm a new follower *waves* I'm a sophomore in college and an aspiring author (since I was 8 I wanted to be JK Rowling. Hasn't worked out yet...)

Okay survey time! :D

1. D- reader
2. C- not planning to purchase one
3. I still or will still purchase hard copies of books.
True
4. I have tried an eReader and prefer hard copies of books.
False- haven't tried one yet but <3 hardcover books!
I have not tried an eReader.
True
I will never purchase an eReader.
True (hopefully LOL)
I would like to try an eReader.
False
5. What is your position on eBooks vs Real Books?

I prefer real books because I love the smell. *nerdy* I think that holding a book and reading from the actual text --not on a screen-- is very important. Imagine if you'd read one of your childhood favorites on an e-reader, it would NOT be the same . You probably wouldn't feel the same way you do. That is how I feel. I also think you can loan people real books easier than an e-reader.

Good luck with the contest and congrats on having so many followers!
--Rachel

K. M. Walton said...

1. a,d
2. c
4. F, T, U, T
5. I am not against eReaders it just that I prefer the real book. The cracking of the spine, the turning of the pages...the feel of the book in my hands. However, I would like to try out one of the electronic devices at some point.

Lindsey Petrucci said...

1. d) Reader
2. c) Not yet; no plans of purchasing
4. TFTF
5. I find comfort in holding a book and flipping the pages and would not like to lose that.

xollinzolox@aim.com

Bridgid said...

I've emailed my responses. Good luck with the survey! I'd be interested in seeing the results as well...

Bridgid
inkyfreshpress.com

CKHB said...

1. Role: a) Writer/Author d) Reader

2. Have you purchased or do you own an eBook Reader: c) Not yet; no plans of purchasing

3. n/a

4. If you answered C to question 2, please evaluate the statements below:

I have tried an eReader and prefer hard copies of books. T

I have not tried an eReader. F

I will never purchase an eReader. U

I would like to try an eReader. T (meaning, I'd like to try OTHERS than I already have tried)

5. What is your position on eBooks vs Real Books?

eBooks only interest me for purposes of travel, to reduce weight of actual texts. Until eReaders are cheap enough to make it worth my while to buy one for such limited usage, or until they're built into a product I already use (Kindle iPhone!) I'm not interested.

Vivian Mahoney said...

I e-mailed my answers to you earlier. Good luck with this project.

Candice said...

1. a
2. b
3. true, unsure, false
4. NA
5. I like having the choice, and I think I will use them both.

Leigh Hutchens Burch said...

1. a
2. c
4:
false
true
unsure
true
5. I do not want ebooks to replace real books. I wish ereaders like the kindle were less expensive. I would purchase a device like the kindle in the price point was, say, half what it is today.

Thanks for doing a giveaway, and good luck with your school project.

Mariah Irvin said...

Sara lives!!! I was about to start a "Save Sara" campaign a la "Save Ferris".

1. a,d
2. c
4. False, True, Unsure, Unsure

Anonymous said...

1. A
2. C
3. N/A
4. F, T, F, T
5. I much prefer real books, as I like holding a physical book in hands while reading. However, as I'm used to reading on my computer for school (pdf files of stories, papers, etc.), I'm not entirely opposed to eBooks. Currently, however, the eReaders are too expensive that I don't think they're worth it.

Brigitte said...

100+ followers?!
Can I borrow some? XD

xoxox

looking-glass-fables.blogspot.com

Steph Schmidt said...

1. A D
2. C
3. n/a
4. F T T F

5. I look at a screen for the majority if my day. I need something not brightly oriented to rest my eyes from time to time and real books are just easier on monitor strained eyes in the end. Also books are easier to prop up on a pillow & read off of while I'm laying down.

David said...

1. A + D
2. B, but someday, may be awhile
3. TUU
4. N/A
5. http://davidfweisman.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-plan-to-rule-world.html

A paperback book is less likely to be stolen and easier to replace than an e-reader.

Hayley Lovell said...

Yay! Welcome back!

Okay
1)a, d
2)c

4)UTTF

5)I personally prefer to hold a book in my hand and turn the pages, reading stuff on the computer gives me a wicked headache if I do it for too long, and besides books are so...lovely. Why would I want an eBook? Real books are way better.