Sniff-sniff-hack-hack

Have a terrible cold so my brain is too fuzzy to be very coherent. You can tell I'm sick because I missed not only critique Tuesday night but dinner with pal Cherie Priest who is in town for a signing. I hate colds.

Anyway, here's the official Hunger Games trailer just released:


Photo: Lionsgate




And an article from MTV.com with more teasers from the film.



From Shelf Awareness:

BookBrowse.com recently completed its biennial survey of 3,400 readers, including members (20%), newsletter subscribers (60%) and "organic visitors" (20%). Respondents were predominantly female, most over 35 years old and with above average education (75% have a bachelors degree, 40% have a masters or higher). Some highlights from the survey:


Reading Habits

Respondents split equally between those who read e-books at least sometimes, and those who rarely or never do. Over two-thirds still read print frequently.

About half of those who read electronically own a Kindle. Tablets are the next most popular, followed by the Nook.

Buying Habits

90% buy at least one book each month, with 54% buying 3-plus, 27% buying 6-plus.

Frequency of visits to bookstores online, and libraries both online and in person, remains unchanged versus 2009; but the percentage saying they visit a store in person less than once a month has risen 5% to 24% since 2007.

Talking About Books
67% recommend three or more books each month.

More than 30% write reviews or blog, most for fun, some for a living.

8% are librarians or booksellers (and a further 8% volunteer in the library).

Book Clubs

Online book clubs are growing in popularity but in-person book clubs dominate.

Two-thirds of book clubs plan their reading 2-3 months in advance or less.

Overall, book clubs skew towards newer fiction but most read a wide range.

Two-thirds wait for a less expensive format to become available.

85% say they read books by local authors at least occasionally.

Very few book clubs feel they must have a reading guide, but most appreciate them.

Technology

65% regularly use social networking sites, ranging from 95% penetration among 18-34 year olds, to 37% for those aged over 75.

Facebook dominates, followed by GoodReads. LibraryThing and Shelfari trail.

Even though two-thirds use social networking, only 25% use it to keep up with websites. E-mail remains the preferred vehicle to stay in touch.

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So as writers, what should we take from this? It's a very small sampling but it looks like people are still reading paper books though at least half read e-books at least occasionally. The percentage of those who visit a bookstore in person less than once a month rose to 24%. That does not bode well for brick and mortar stores. People talk about the books they read, recommending them to others or participating in book clubs which often wait to read a book until a less expensive format is made available. 95% of 18-34 year olds regularly use social networking sites. Facebook dominates.

As an aside, Shelf Awareness as well as Publishers Marketplace are two reference tools that are available to every writer. Shelf Awareness does not charge for a daily newsletter and can be joined by going here. Publishers Marketplace has both free and fee-based reports available. Check it out here .


Everybody ready for Thanksgiving? We'll be out gorging ourselves like everyone else next week so no Biting Edge on Thursday. May you and yours have a wonderful holiday. And may you steer clear of the damned cold germ...[image error]