Here are the highlights:

• 44 percent of e-book readers prefer a tablet over a dedicated e-reader (for example, a Kindle), an increase of 7 percent since August 2012.
• The number of respondents who prefer to read e-books on a dedicated e-reader dropped to 42 percent from 49 percent at the last survey in August 2012.
• Those who prefer dedicated e-readers are more likely to read romance, mystery, literary fiction, and general fiction than are users of other types of devices.
• Readers of how-to guides and manuals prefer to read them on their personal computers.
• Smartphone readers are more likely to read travel books than are either tablet or dedicated e-reader users.

The survey also revealed information about the popularity of e-books:

• About 82 percent of “power buyers” — those who buy e-books on a weekly basis — prefer e-books over print.
• Nearly 70 percent of those who aren’t power buyers now prefer e-books over print.

What are the lessons for authors?

There are a few take-aways here for those of us who write books:

• Novelists will want to make sure their book is available in as many dedicated e-reader stores as possible. While most authors probably have Kindle covered, they don’t want to overlook Sony’s Reader Store, the Nook Book Store, and others.
• Those who write how-to guides and manuals might consider offering their books in PDF formats. I introduced Get Your Book in the News: How to Write a Press Release That Announces Your Book in PDF format first because I knew that users would want access to it on their computer while writing their press releases. The PDF format also allowed me to use a layout that would make the step-by-step instructions easier to read and follow. I added the Kindle and iTunes formats later, but continue to sell more copies in PDF format.
• Travel writers should get their books in the Aldiko (Android)  iTunes (Apple) bookstore.

Your e-book publisher (Smashwords, BookBaby, eBooks2go, etc.) will be your best resource and advisor.

(Photo by Allie from Vancity via Compfight)

Back to the survey . . . what’s your preferred e-book reader — a dedicated device, tablet, or computer?