Initial Survey Results

A big thank you to everyone who took the survey.

The goal was to obtain widespread citizen input about the overall desirability of a book festival in Pittsburgh, and to identify respondent preferences regarding specific book festival options. Our findings are below.

---

Number of respondents:   550+ with 38% having attended a book fair in another city.

Respondent Preferences

• For the 38% who have attended a book fair elsewhere, by far the most enjoyable activities were author-based: readings, signings, panels, discussions.

• For all 550+ respondents, similar author-based activities were likewise the most preferred activities to include in a Pittsburgh Book Fair

• Programs/activities of highest interest:

  • Workshops and Panels

  • Author readings

  • Children, families and adolescents oriented

  • Vendor Displays

  •  80% of respondents want more than just Pittsburgh authors at the book fair.

•  70% of respondents indicate a willingness to volunteer. Individual responses vary from offering specific skill sets to a general desire to participate in book fair activities.

• 79% recommended a weekend festival;  Fall was preferred by 65%

Respondents self-designations

• Readers—88%

• Authors—-32%

• Book Club members—26%

• Parents——26% 

• Others included publishers, booksellers, teachers, creative writing faculty, magazine and literary editors, etc.            

25% of respondents added additional comment, with strong statements of support and endorsement, offers of assistance, outreach to others, knowledge of publishers or writers, interest in participating in some fashion, etc. 

If you have not yet shared your thoughts on a Pittsburgh book festival, you can take the survey here.