Great Middle Grade Reads discussion
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Middle Graders and eBooks
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I think that it won't be long before even middle graders have ereaders. But for now, I think they are best reached through printed books. I recommend getting in touch with library media specialists at schools in your district to offer to donate and/or give author talks, as well as public libraries. The way I look at it is my investment is small, but the opportunity for exposure and creating a fan base is well worth it.
I know a lot of middle graders own tablets, and even smart phones, and they are very comfortable using them and reading with them. But most kids still depend on parents to buy/download books. Busy parents buy books based on reliable sources-- I'm a lot less likely to take a chance on a book for my kids than I am for myself. I want to read them for content and quality first. So I think it all goes back to discoverability and having some kind of trusted "go-to" source specifically for Indie ebooks. Was hoping our "Indie Spotlight" thread might become a place to discover good books, but so far no one has jumped in :-)
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M.G. wrote: "I know a lot of middle graders own tablets, and even smart phones, and they are very comfortable using them and reading with them. But most kids still depend on parents to buy/download books. Bus..."
I agree with everything M.G. said - in particular, kids *have* ereaders and they take electronics to school now. I'm wondering if the new Kobo Kids' accounts will help any.
I hadn't heard about Kobo Kids' accounts. I'll have to look into those! Thanks for the heads up.J
Remember they can read an ebook on ipods and ipads too and they all have some hand held thing to use. Issue is getting them to read period. In school it is still good old paper but some schools are switching to iPads for stuff.
I think in probably less than five years, going by the rapid rise of tablets so far, we'll see many more ebooks being used by the younger kids. But certainly for now the printed page will have the edge for reaching the widest MG audience.
The school district I'm in uses iPads for the middle-graders. (And I know this a growing trend.) So every kid has a device. However, that said, do you know how much reading they do on them? Hardly any outside assigned books. They download games--not books. YA is a completely different story; but for now, I think middle-grade is still most acquired via paper.
I am a MG author and I have to say I sell 1 paperback for every 4 eBooks. Kids are definitely technology users, especially when it comes to books. I think parents love the fact that they cost a lot less than paperbacks. Reaching MG kids is definitely a challenge though as you point out, Justin. And yes, I usually have to find parents or other adults that love MG fantasy in order to get a hearing.
One thing I did when I published my debut novel was I contacted readers of books similar to mine (dragons, fantasy, MG level) on Goodreads and asked them to give me an honest review in exchange for a free ebook. If you look at my reviews here on Goodreads, it was a mixed bag of comments. but it allowed me to find an an initial audience, which is the first step. Unfortunately, Goodreads now frowns on doing this. I guess there's been too much abuse by other authors which is a shame.
Another tool I find invaluable in reaching MG readers for my book is Twitter. Avid readers will many times try out a new author and I am the beneficiary of such curiosity.
About to launch book two, I now have the beginnings of a fan base who are eager to get their hands on the next installment :).
Getting an initial hearing is the toughest part and in reflection, I think authors need to be willing to 1) give away an awful lot of book 1 2) be willing to get negative reviews for the sake of finding fans who absolutely adore your work (I view the negative reviews as just people who the book is not right for). 3) get involved in online MG author groups for mutual support and encouragement.
One FB MG author group I'm in, Emblazoners (emblazoners.com), is putting together a catalog of all the member's MG books complete with Lexile scores and MARC files (for librarians).
I don't know if my response has helped or not, but it is how I've worked to get an initial hearing among MGers.
L.R.W -- This was VERY helpful! Thank you.All, thanks for the continued thoughts and comments. They all help a newbie like me :)
Glad I can help. Justin, feel free to ask more questions as needed.
Was chatting last night with a mom who used to run elementary book fairs at my kids' schools. Our school this year has started transforming the libraries to be centers for technology as well as books - to encompass all kinds of reading and learning. All our kids just entered middle school, but she's under the impression that the elementary schools won't be buying books anymore to add to their collection. She was quite annoyed, because she said the whole reason she ran book fairs was "to put books into kids hands." To summarize my analysis of her comment - I think the *adults* who care about kids reading still want to do it in the form of paper books.
ES, I'm guessing there is that segment that still prefer paperback books. My daughter would be one of those who just prefer the feel of a book in her hands. There is, however, a growing segment that would just as soon have an ebook instantly rather than wait for one. As well, I prefer ebooks because they don't take up any space. Kids these days are born using technology. My gut says there will always be some who prefer paper, but most will go ebooks over the next 3-5 years. That's just my take on it :)
Yes, I think they will *go* to ebooks eventually. The hope is we will be there ready when it happens!I love my kindle paperwhite - particularly for the light!
I've just been trying to figure out why it hasn't taken off yet when I know kids have the devices... and how to reach them.
This subject is hovering at the fist-shaking minds' edge of all us middle-grade authors. What to do to get our books in the hands of kids who will love them! I realize that all of us come from different school districts that have differing practices as far as technology goes. We have a really complicated market to get into--a market in which our readers are not necessarily our buyers!I appreciate what LRW had to say, but I think her marketing strategy to reviewers (adults) is the key here. Personally, I sell more paperbacks than I do ebooks. Like I said before, the middle-graders I know (admittedly, this is but a tiny percentage of the many all over the world!), ages 9 to 12, are using their devices for things like face-time and game apps. My son, for example, does his fun reading in paper books from the school library--NOT on his iPad. But I think it's worthwhile to have your book available in both formats.
Our world feels like it's kind of hovering right now--not sure where to turn. I'm interested in hearing other people's experiences with the middle-grade genre so far. Is anyone selling much in the way of ebooks? If so, are your readers actually middle-graders? Or are they adults?
My print book sells more than the ebook, even at nearly ten times the cost. I've found this very surprising. But have to admit that when I bought books for my 13 yo son's birthday last month I bought print. Didn't even consider ebooks, though we have an ereader in the house, we all like using it, and I have a vested interest in seeing kids reading more ebooks!
I think it's because we like sharing books with friends, my boys love to take their books outside (and forget to bring them back in); or maybe its because I see a screen light up my kids' faces too many hours of the day already. For people who grew up loving books, I think there's still an emotional connection with the paper and ink, and it means something to put that into the hands of your own kid.
That's really interesting find about both of your print book sales. Which means I really should plug on with formatting for my print edition...I buy print for my 22 nieces and nephews for their birthdays. I admit that it has something to do with it reminding them of their aunt (one of many, obviously) and them getting a package in the mail for their birthday (but always late! lol)
I'm not selling much in the way of ebooks, btw. But the few reviews/comments that appear out of the blue look like kids do the reading even if an adult buys.
I have many students coming in the library for a book to try it and see if they want it before purchasing on the e-reader. They don't want to commit to spending the money until they are certain of the book. This also allows me to steer them to great books that have maybe not been marketed as heavily as Riordan and Rowling.
I am a paper fan when it comes to the middle grades. I have sold some kindle books but not very many but in person at things like presentations to a classroom or at arts and craft fairs i sell quite a few paperbacks, and I got a school district to but a class set of 38 copies so their fifth grade could teach it, and a book club of 12 teachers to buy a paperback each. I have three books and the two I love the most don't sell as quickly as the one I really struggled writing tough. It is tied more closely to curriculum because it is fiction but connected to the Oregon Trail and thy study that in American History. The other two are fantasy and the kids who love that, love them but the teachers and adults do't get as excited about them unless they are also fantasy fans.I've given way a ton during free kindle days as ebooks but that hasn't paid off in terms of reviews or sales that I can actually see.
L.R.W. wrote: "I am a MG author and I have to say I sell 1 paperback for every 4 eBooks. Kids are definitely technology users, especially when it comes to books. I think parents love the fact that they cost a lot..."My MG book was released in May and I have worked with educators to create of study guide for it. Any ideas for getting it into the hands of teachers?
Thanks. Love this discussion. Love middle grade. Love writers. (I'm just in a loving mood apparently ... which is totally okay!)
Nicole,I put together a study guide for parents to work with their kids through the life principles included in my book and posted it on my website. I also included a mention of it in the back of the book.
Unfortunately, it seems hard to get people from a paperback or ebook to a website as I have had vey few folks download it.
My encouragement to you is that you are not in this alone. I fear we are both walking up hill against the wind (both ways... As the saying goes).
My guess is the best way to place it with teachers is word of mouth. I believe we are going against the fact that parents and teachers already have various tools at their disposal and to take the time and energy to check out a new one is not a high priority. I think the key is to speak to teachers in such a compelling way such that they see gaps in what they are currently doing that they make the choice to check your offer out.
Sorry to not be extremely encouraging... Especially when you're feeling the love this morning :). I'd love to hear what you find most helpful once you've gotten into the contacting more.
I wish you much success!
Linda
From my parental perspective, I've had more success with reading via audiobooks then ebooks. Yet, the all time favorite is still paper.
L.R.W. wrote: "I am a MG author and I have to say I sell 1 paperback for every 4 eBooks. Kids are definitely technology users, especially when it comes to books. I think parents love the fact that they cost a lot..."I found it helpful.
Paper is still big for kids and whether or not they read on an electronic device is still dependent on how tech savy the school and the parents are. School districts usually have approved books lists that you would have to get on and if you're self published that might be harder.
For her personal reading, my thirteen year old reads about 50/50 paper and ebook (which she gets from the e lending library). And though every child in her middle school is assigned a tablet, their assigned school reading is all done with paper books. They use the tablets for educational videos and internet searching. I too think that ereading for this age group will increase, but the fact that parents hold the purse strings will always be a limiting factor. I've priced the first in my series at 99 cents because if it's free Amazon doesn't list it as a "sale" (and sales give you the all-coveted discoverability), but for this age group, free may be the way to go if you have a series (under the assumption the reader will ask the parents for the sequel if he/she liked book 1 enough). Has anyone had experience with free versus cheap ebook?
If you're an author, how do you reach middle graders?