Hiptype has created this great infographic called, “The DNA of a Successful Book,” which explores what goes into a good book, and the reading habits of YOUR readers.
According to the graphic, 300-page books have an 87 percent completion rate. Completion rates steadily drop the longer a book gets, with 700-word books only earning a 35 percent completion rate. And readers under 40 average just twelve minutes in a reading session? No wonder publishers are wanting shorter books…
The graphic also reveals that books that earned the most revenue cost an average of $3.99, while books that sell for $.99 are sold 12x as often as other titles.
Click on the successful book image below to view full-size – Enjoy!
P.S. Today is the last day authors, aspiring authors and publishers can enjoy the $50 early-bird discount to PubSmart: Emerging Authors, Emerging Avenues. We look forward to introducing you to the world’s thought leaders in publishing this April in Charleston, SC!
Shari, I was thrilled to read your commentary accompanying Hiptype’s infographic in which you began by writing about 300-page books. That is the number of pages I plan to suggest when I make my first book proposal in the not too distant future.
And thank you for reminding your readers that today, February 1, is the last day to enjoy a $50 discount on the PubSmart conference in Charleston in April.
Thanks, Barbara – excited to hear more about your book!
Interesting! I’ve head in multiple places that self-published ebooks are getting longer and longer because people reading them prefer that, yet this shows people aren’t finishing those and that publishers are looking for shorter books. I wonder if the dichotomy is reader driven, or writer driven in that once a lengthy novel gets turned down by traditional publishers, the author turns to self-publishing? Is it a difference in preference among readers of ebooks vs print books? Some combination of those? Something else? Anyone have any thoughts on that?
Hmmm… I think that much of self-publishing still suffers from lack of editing… though it’s definitely easier to carry around a 300 page book on your iPad than in hard cover, lol… I find it fascinating how many folks don’t finish books – I even finish the bad ones – I really want to know if anything redemptive ever comes of it 🙂
This is indeed very interesting, however it would be interesting to know how many people were interviewed in the survey that was conducted? It would be interesting also to know if the same figures apply for the likes of books on Kindle etc., or is this just for paperbacks and hardback books.
Agree – seems it was taken of random readers of both e-books and print by the other answers – but would indeed be interesting to note how the reading habits differ between delivery systems. Makes me want to do a survey!
Very interesting! Thank you for this.