At the National Press Club, we do one or more book events per month, where an author with a new book out will come and talk, answer questions, and sign books that are purchased there from Barnes & Noble, and that raise a bit of money per book for the non-profit journalism library. Lately there's been some discussion regarding how to adjust this event model to the growing popularity of e-books, and I wondered if you all have any thoughts on this (being, at least some of you, e-book readers). So, for the e-book readers here, here is a poll! Ta-daaaah! Also feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
Poll #1813379
The Future is Bigger on the Inside!
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 43
Do you still buy regular books as well as e-books?
View Answers
| Yes. Boooksssss! Paper! WOO! |
   31 (62.0%) |
| No. Silly heavy tomes are now obsolete. |
| 0 (0.0%) |
| Occasionally. I like variety. |
| 8 (16.0%) |
| Only for special books or authors, or a collection. |
| 11 (22.0%) |
At an author event, would you still prefer to buy a paper book?
View Answers
| Yes. |
| 34 (79.1%) |
| No. |
| 1 (2.3%) |
| Maybe so. |
| 8 (18.6%) |
Why would you buy a regular book at an author event?
View Answers
| To get it autographed. Scribble scribble! |
| 38 (29.0%) |
| Convenience! The book is sitting right in front of me. |
| 17 (13.0%) |
| That's part of the fun of the event experience. |
| 19 (14.5%) |
| I like to own some regular books, too. |
| 20 (15.3%) |
| The author or series is special to me. |
| 32 (24.4%) |
| I wouldn't buy the book. |
| 1 (0.8%) |
| Other (see comments) |
| 4 (3.1%) |
Are there some authors or series' that you will always buy the paper book for? Who?
At a book event, would you prefer to buy an e-book if it was available on the spot?
View Answers
| Yeppers! |
| 3 (7.0%) |
| No ma'am! |
| 16 (37.2%) |
| I might give it a try. |
| 24 (55.8%) |
What would be the best way to set up e-book sales at an event?
Autographs: would you still want to get something signed even if you bought the e-book?
View Answers
| Yes, that's the best part! |
| 24 (44.4%) |
| Eh, it's not that crucial to me. |
| 10 (18.5%) |
| I'd get my e-book or cover signed. |
| 7 (13.0%) |
| Is there an app for digital signatures now? I want that! |
| 13 (24.1%) |
What if a book is only in e-book format? Would you still attend the event?
View Answers
| Sure thing! |
| 14 (32.6%) |
| Eh, nah. |
| 4 (9.3%) |
| I might. |
| 25 (58.1%) |
|
old leads new leads 
