Category Archives: reader surveys

2018 Reader Survey … a teaser

30 Thursday Aug 2018

Posted by in 2018 Reader Survey, Connecting Readers & Writers, reader surveys, Reading, social reading

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With the holiday and big accident (see this post) beginning to ease into the background, yesterday I turned my thoughts to the reader survey conducted in June and July. While the full report won’t be available for at least a week, here’s a sample of things to come.

This year’s survey was designed to reach readers of all fiction genres. 2418 people responded; 84% female, 16% male. The survey includes questions on:

  • general reading habits
  • the selection and acquisition of books
  • the reading experience
  • the influence of social media on reading

Here’s a question you might find intriguing:

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE FICTION GENRES? (CHOOSE UP TO 3)

  • FIRST, A CAVEAT … I am a member of a robust group of historical fiction fans so results have a built-in bias for that genre
  • TOP 5 GENRES ARE MYSTERY/THRILLER, ROMANCE, HISTORICAL FICTION, WOMEN’S FICTION AND LITERARY

Digging further:

  • The top genres for men are HISTORICAL FICTION, MYSTERY/THRILLER, SCIENCE FICTION, MILITARY/WAR and FANTASY
  • INTEREST IN FANTASY DECREASES WITH AGE – from 54% for those under 30 to 6% for those over 70; there is a similar pattern for SCIENCE FICTION and HORROR
  • INTEREST IN MYSTERY/THRILLER INCREASES WITH AGE
  • INTEREST IN ROMANCE PEAKS BETWEEN 30 AND 50
  • LITERARY FICTION IS LESS POPULAR AMONGST US READERS THAN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

More to follow, as well as the full report.

I’m grateful to the support of many authors, bloggers and others who publicized the survey. In particular, authors Heather Burch and Patricia Sands helped design and test the questions.

FOR MORE ON READING & WRITING HISTORICAL FICTION FOLLOW A WRITER OF HISTORY (using the widget on the left sidebar)

M.K. Tod writes historical fiction. Her latest novel, TIME AND REGRET was published by Lake Union. Mary’s other novels, LIES TOLD IN SILENCE and UNRAVELLED are available from Amazon, Nook, Kobo, Google Play and iTunes. She can be contacted on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads or on her website www.mktod.com.

Another sneak peek at survey results

03 Tuesday Jul 2018

Posted by in 2018 Reader Survey, reader surveys, social reading

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The 2018 reader survey continues to attract responses – thanks to all who have helped with publicity. Here’s a sneak peek at male/female responses to the question: How many books do you read each year? As you can see, it’s not a small difference.

Only 12% of participants are male. Does this imply more women than men on social media? More women than men willing to take surveys? More women than men interested in reading? More women than men on the particular sites that gave publicity to the survey? Don’t hesitate to weigh in with your thoughts!

The survey will remain open for another two weeks or so. If you haven’t already taken it or shared it, please do! All help is much appreciated. Here’s the link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/68HL6F2 .

FOR MORE ON READING & WRITING HISTORICAL FICTION FOLLOW A WRITER OF HISTORY (using the widget on the left sidebar)

M.K. Tod writes historical fiction. Her latest novel, TIME AND REGRET was published by Lake Union. Mary’s other novels, LIES TOLD IN SILENCE and UNRAVELLED are available from Amazon, Nook, Kobo, Google Play and iTunes. She can be contacted on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads or on her website www.mktod.com.