At Written Word Media, we’re all about helping authors connect with their ideal readers, and that starts with having real audience insights into who those readers are. So, we surveyed thousands of our subscribers across all five of our reader brands to get the scoop on what makes them tick 📚
Whether you’re getting ready to run a promo or planning your next launch strategy, consider this your audience insights cheat sheet; the insider’s guide to the readers behind the clicks.
🗂️ Contents
Jump to the reader group you’re most curious about:
Meet the Freebooksy Reader: Free eBook fans
Meet the Bargain Booksy Reader: Deal-loving digital shoppers
Meet the NewInBooks Reader: Trendspotters & early adopters
Meet the Red Feather Romance Reader: Romance readers with heart
Meet the Freebooksy Reader
Freebooksy readers are the ultimate bookworms. These are the folks who never leave home without a Kindle in their bag, a book on their nightstand, and a “just one more chapter” bedtime routine. They love free reads (of course), but don’t mistake them for freeloaders; they’re loyal, voracious readers who know what they like and aren’t shy about supporting the authors they love.
Here’s what we learned about our Freebooksy fam:
📚 How Many Books Do They Read?
These readers devour books.
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- 48% read 1-5 books per week
- 31% read 6-10 books per week
- 14% read 11+ books per week
- 7% read less than 1 book per week
Yep, you read that right; more than 90% of Freebooksy readers are getting through at least a book a week. If anyone’s looking to set a Goodreads goal that scares them, these are your people.
🧠 Why Do They Read?
For Freebooksy readers, books are more than entertainment; they’re comfort, escape, and joy.
- 64% say they read to relax
- 52% read for escape
- 40% say reading brings them joy
They’re not necessarily chasing literary prizes or bragging rights; they’re in it for the pure love of the written word.
💸 How Much Do They Spend on Books?
Yes, Freebooksy promotes free eBooks, but our readers are still spending.
- 38% spend $10-25/month
- 28% spend $26-50/month
- 16% spend more than $50/month
Translation? A free book might be how you get in the door, but it’s certainly not the end of the story.
🧑💻 What Do They Want to Know About Authors?
Freebooksy readers are a curious bunch; they love learning about the minds behind the books.
Top things they want to know about you:
- What inspired you to write your book
- What you’re working on next
- What you’re reading
So if you’ve got an author bio or newsletter, make it personal! These readers are interested in you, not just your backlist.
❤️ Do They Care About Supporting Indie Authors?
They do, and they show it.
- Average support score: 8.2/10
This is an audience that champions the underdog. They want to discover new voices. So don’t be shy about letting them know you’re self-published—they’ll see that as a plus.
📚 Are They in Kindle Unlimited?
Yes, and no.
- 48% are KU subscribers
- 52% are not
What this means for you: A Freebooksy promo works whether you’re wide or exclusive. It reaches both groups effectively. KU readers love free books just as much as your average bargain hunter, and they’ll happily one-click yours into their growing collection.
📱 How Do They Discover Books?
Freebooksy readers are loyal newsletter subscribers and seasoned Amazon browsers. Over half of them find their next read through Freebooksy emails and Amazon directly, with friends and Goodreads also playing a role in shaping their TBR.
Social media has some presence; about 28% use Facebook for discovery, while Instagram and TikTok lag behind. If you want to reach Freebooksy readers off-platform, focus on newsletters, optimize your Amazon presence, and consider a casual Facebook presence for visibility.
📣 TL;DR: Freebooksy Readers at a Glance
- Love books for relaxation, escape, and joy
- Read a lot; most are at 1+ books per week
- Will spend on books, even if they found you through a free promo
- Care about authors (especially indie ones)
- Like to learn about you, not just your books
- Nearly split between KU and wide
- Active on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest
Meet the Bargain Booksy Reader
If the Freebooksy reader is a free spirit, the Bargain Booksy reader is a savvy shopper with a soft spot for a good deal. They know exactly how much they’re willing to pay for a book, and they’re more than happy to pay it if you catch their eye.
Let’s dive into what makes these deal-loving readers tick 📉➡️📚
📚 How Many Books Do They Read?
Bargain Booksy readers are dedicated page-turners:
- 32% read more than 100 books per year
- 9% read 51-75 books per year
- 9% read 41-50 books per year
- ~26% read between 11-40 books per year
- Only 4% read fewer than 5 books a year
Whether they’re flying through thrillers or bingeing beach reads, these readers make time to read, and they read a lot.
🧠 Why Do They Read?
The top reasons Bargain Booksy readers reach for a book:
- 88% read to relax
- 85% read to be entertained
- 66% read to escape
- 48% read out of habit or to pass time
- 34% read to learn or improve themselves
- 23% read for inspiration and motivation
- 20% seek emotional connection through stories
In short: these readers use books to unwind, recharge, and occasionally spark a little personal growth. They’re not looking for homework; they’re looking for heart.
💸 How Much Do They Spend on Books?
Despite their love of discounts, Bargain Booksy readers absolutely spend money on books:
- 29% spend $11-25/month
- 26% spend $1-10/month
- 18% spend $26-50/month
- 10% spend nothing (we suspect they’re maxing out KU + freebies)
- 6% spend $51-100/month
- 2% spend $101+/month
Translation: these aren’t just deal hunters; they’re book buyers. And your discounted promo? Exactly their speed.
❤️ Do They Care About Supporting Indie Authors?
They do!
- Average support score: 7.5 out of 10.
They value stories that break the mold, and the writers behind them. So wear your indie badge with pride.
📚 Are They in Kindle Unlimited?
Kindle Unlimited is popular, but not dominant:
- 17% are enrolled in KU
What this tells us: Whether your book is in KU or not, there’s a solid Bargain Booksy audience waiting for it.
📱 How Do They Discover Books?
Nearly two-thirds discover new books through email newsletters (like ours!) and Amazon, making those your strongest marketing channels.
Goodreads, Facebook, and author websites also have meaningful impact, while Instagram and TikTok play a smaller but growing role. If you’re running social ads or building a community, Facebook is still the most fertile ground for reaching this audience off-platform.
📣 TL;DR: Bargain Booksy Readers at a Glance
- Read to relax, escape, and be entertained
- 32% read over 100 books/year
- Most spend $11-25/month on books, and nearly half spend more than that
- Value indie authors and want to support them
- Mixed KU participation (17% current, 24% not)
- Most likely found on Facebook and Instagram
Meet the NewInBooks Reader
The NewInBooks reader is your trendspotter; the friend who always has a fresh rec, a TBR list curated like a Spotify playlist, and a deep appreciation for that “new book smell.” They’re looking for what’s next, what’s now, and what’s you.
Let’s unpack who they are and what they want 📦📖
📚 How Many Books Do They Read?
NewInBooks readers are seriously committed to the page:
- 24% read over 100 books a year
- 16% read 51-75 books/year
- 12% read 41-50 books/year
- ~31% read between 11-40 books/year
- Only 2% read fewer than 5 books/year
For authors launching new titles, this is the dream crowd; they’re ready to fall in love with their next favorite book.
🧠 Why Do They Read?
Here’s what gets them flipping pages:
- 85% read to relax
- 82% read to be entertained
- 62% read to escape
- 41% read out of habit
- 36% read to learn or grow
- 28% seek inspiration and motivation
- 22% crave emotional connection
They want stories that move them, uplift them, or just give them a break from the doomscrolling. Bonus points if it’s all three.
💸 How Much Do They Spend on Books?
They’re not afraid to pay for a great read:
- 27% spend $11-25/month
- 22% spend $0/month
- 19% spend $26-50/month
- 13% spend $1-10/month
- 9% spend $51-100/month
- 3% spend more than $100/month
For some, discovery still starts with free, but a good chunk of this audience buys books regularly, and they’re open to investing in new voices.
❤️ Do They Care About Supporting Indie Authors?
They do, and they show it with their ratings:
- Average support score: 7.3/10
That’s a solid endorsement from a reader who’s eager to support bold new stories and indie author journeys.
📚 Are They in Kindle Unlimited?
The KU crowd is here; just not in overwhelming numbers:
- 13% are enrolled in KU
In other words, this isn’t a KU-only audience. Whether you’re exclusive to Amazon or going wide, NewInBooks readers are interested in what’s new, not just what’s included in a subscription.
📱 How Do They Discover Books?
NewInBooks readers are the trendsetters of the bunch; they cast a wide net. Amazon, Goodreads, and newsletters are key discovery channels, but what really stands out is their reliance on people: nearly half get recommendations from friends and family.
They also lean more heavily on Facebook and Instagram than other groups, with 15-40% discovering books through social platforms or influencer content. If you’re promoting a new release, consider pairing your promo with an organic post, Instagram story, or an email shoutout; this crowd notices!
📣 TL;DR: NewInBooks Readers at a Glance
- Read for relaxation, entertainment, and escape
- 24% read more than 100 books/year
- 46% spend $11-50/month on books
- Rate supporting indie authors 7.3/10 on average
- Mixed KU status with most not exclusive to it
- Socially active, especially on Facebook & Instagram
Meet the Red Feather Romance Reader
Red Feather Romance readers are passionate about love, about storytelling, and most of all, about romance books that bring the heat and the heart. Whether they’re into enemies-to-lovers, billionaire alpha males, or cozy small-town flings, one thing’s for sure: they are voracious.
Let’s see what sets this group apart (besides a fully charged Kindle and a box of chocolates).
📚 How Many Books Do They Read?
These readers don’t dabble, they devour:
- 45% read more than 100 books per year
- 20% read between 51-99 books/year
- 7% read 41-50 books/year
- 17% read between 11-40 books/year
- Only 1.4% read fewer than 5 books/year
So if you’re wondering whether it’s worth releasing frequently or stacking promos across a series… the answer is a resounding yes.
🧠 Why Do They Read?
Romance is more than just fun; it’s therapy, escape, and joy in paperback form.
Why RFR readers read:
- 88% to relax
- 84% to be entertained
- 78% to escape
- 47% out of habit or routine
- 25% for emotional connection
- 19% to learn or grow
- 15% for inspiration and motivation
These are readers who feel deeply, and want stories that make them feel just as deeply.
💸 How Much Do They Spend on Books?
Their hearts are full and so are their carts.
Monthly book spending looks like this:
- 31% spend $11-25/month
- 20% spend $1-10/month
- 16% spend $26-50/month
- 14% spend $0 (hello, KU)
- 6% spend $51-100/month
- 4% spend more than $100/month
Romance readers are some of the most consistent book buyers out there. Your next promo is not going to waste here.
❤️ Do They Care About Supporting Indie Authors?
Very much so.
- Average support score: 7.8/10
These readers are fiercely loyal. If you win them over, they’ll follow you across genres, series, and pen names.
📚 Are They in Kindle Unlimited?
A balanced blend here:
- 21% are enrolled in KU
Bottom line: KU or not, these readers are eager to read, and they’re loyal to the authors who deliver.
📱 How Do They Discover Books?
Romance readers are a powerhouse audience, and they’re everywhere. They rely heavily on newsletters and Amazon, but they also engage across multiple platforms: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and even BookTok influencers.
About one in three find books through author websites and social media, while friends and Goodreads still hold sway. If you’re hoping to reach RFR readers off-platform, go where the love is: Facebook and BookTok are smart bets, especially when paired with strong visuals and a good hook.
📣 TL;DR: Red Feather Romance Readers at a Glance
- Read for relaxation, escape, and pure emotional payoff
- 45% read more than 100 books/year
- 51% spend $11-50/month on books
- Rated supporting indie authors 7.8/10
- KU-friendly, but not dependent
- Very active on Facebook and increasingly on Instagram
👀 Reader Brand Comparison at a Glance
| Brand | Typical Reader Mindset | Reading Volume | Monthly Book Spend | Indie Support Score | KU-Friendly? | Best Use Case for Authors |
| Freebooksy | Voracious readers who love discovering new authors | Very high (90%+ read 1+ book/week) | $10–50+ | 8.2 / 10 | Split (48% KU / 52% wide) | Free launches, series starters, wide or KU discovery |
| Bargain Booksy | Deal-savvy shoppers who still buy regularly | High (32% read 100+ books/year) | $11–50+ | 7.5 / 10 | Mixed | Discounted promos, backlist revivals, price drops |
| NewInBooks | Trendspotters and early adopters | High (24% read 100+ books/year) | $11–50+ | 7.3 / 10 | Not KU-dependent | New releases, first-in-series, visibility boosts |
| Red Feather Romance | Passionate, genre-loyal romance fans | Extremely high (45% read 100+ books/year) | $11–50+ | 7.8 / 10 | KU-friendly | Romance launches, rapid release strategies, series stacking |
✍️ Final Thoughts
Whether your book is free, discounted, brand new, or a steamy second-chance romance, there’s a reader in the Written Word Media community waiting to discover it.
These audience insights are the first step in choosing the right prom, and now that you know what makes our readers tick, you’re ready to meet them where they are.
So go forth, schedule that promo, and let your book shine ✨We’ll make sure it lands in the inboxes (and hearts) of the right readers.