Reader Consideration Vs. Savvy Business Moves
As both a writer and an avid reader, sometimes the reader takes over. Heck, most of the time the reader drives the writer. The more I read, the more I want to write.
But, today I have on my reader hat, and I'm mulling something over and would love some other readers' (even if they are also writers) thoughts.
Recently, my email heralded the newest book by Cassandra Clare. I read the first three of the City of Bones trilogy, but my 13yo daughter has read every single book by her and has been asking for more reading material for summer. So I thought I'd surprise my dear daughter by downloading a new book to her Kindle. When I went to look the book up, I saw that it was part of a series I had somehow missed.
Call me excited!
Not only was the price ($2.99) excellent for Book 1, but the description sold me: Fans of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices know that Magnus Bane is banned from Peru—and now they can find out why. One of ten adventures in The Bane Chronicles. (from
Amazon
)
I purchased.
Then, and only then, did I look into the other books. I ventured over to Cassandra Clare's website and found some great information about The Bane Chronicles here . Then, some important words jumped out at me... short stories.
What? (note: it was in the Amazon description if I had read two more paragraphs)
The books range from 40-50 pages on average.
I know traditionally published books are more expensive than all my indie favorites, so I should have been wary of the $2.99. And I have no problem with Cassandra Clare issuing some ebook-only short stories for her fans, but $29.90 for ten stories that are 40-50 pages each... I'm just not so sure how I feel about that.
Upon further research, I came across an article about Cassandra Clare and her father, a successful author and business school professor, and the left-brained side of me was impressed. She's in the business of writing. I respect that, truly.
But, as a reader, I'm still left with a sour taste in my mouth.
Help me, please. Which side of me should win.. the BBA grad who respects smart business choices that allow writers to make a living or the reader who feels a bit taken advantage of?
But, today I have on my reader hat, and I'm mulling something over and would love some other readers' (even if they are also writers) thoughts.
Recently, my email heralded the newest book by Cassandra Clare. I read the first three of the City of Bones trilogy, but my 13yo daughter has read every single book by her and has been asking for more reading material for summer. So I thought I'd surprise my dear daughter by downloading a new book to her Kindle. When I went to look the book up, I saw that it was part of a series I had somehow missed.
Call me excited!
Not only was the price ($2.99) excellent for Book 1, but the description sold me: Fans of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices know that Magnus Bane is banned from Peru—and now they can find out why. One of ten adventures in The Bane Chronicles. (from
Amazon
)I purchased.
Then, and only then, did I look into the other books. I ventured over to Cassandra Clare's website and found some great information about The Bane Chronicles here . Then, some important words jumped out at me... short stories.
What? (note: it was in the Amazon description if I had read two more paragraphs)
The books range from 40-50 pages on average.
I know traditionally published books are more expensive than all my indie favorites, so I should have been wary of the $2.99. And I have no problem with Cassandra Clare issuing some ebook-only short stories for her fans, but $29.90 for ten stories that are 40-50 pages each... I'm just not so sure how I feel about that.
Upon further research, I came across an article about Cassandra Clare and her father, a successful author and business school professor, and the left-brained side of me was impressed. She's in the business of writing. I respect that, truly.
But, as a reader, I'm still left with a sour taste in my mouth.
Help me, please. Which side of me should win.. the BBA grad who respects smart business choices that allow writers to make a living or the reader who feels a bit taken advantage of?
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