CrispyCritter well let's say to make the thread more useful and productive we have here two models to discuss: the ongoing novels and the completed novels.
For me, I think breaking the ongoing model into smaller books and parts and sell it on bulk would be more beneficial. Especially when you consider other marketing aspect, like pumping up an already dying novel - original or translated - by using discount on certain books or parts. Such solutions might help novels that are about to be dropped or dropped already to inject some life into it, and gain more in the future by writing or translating more chapters in it.
As for the fees for them, the ongoing novels share one simple disadvantage which is the low number of purchases once the readers reached the end chapter published. So to maintain the equilibrium it's better to keep it divided in the current prices, without changes unless discussed by the writers, translators, editors, and wn staff.
As for completed novels, for me I see them as a bonus books. These books either original or translated have their ongoing expenditure ended the moment they were completed - especially the translated ones.
So cutting the price in lower values - like the examples you mentioned - might be an attracting factor to make these novels still bring sales, provided that they didn't bring enough after period of closure.
Which is the main case in most novels I think, original and translated.
Having a completed novel that few reads due to lack of propaganda when the author or the translator fees were cut off and there is no more expenditure to it might be solved by having this discount. Many readers will be aware that the prices of completed novels are much cheaper than the ongoing ones, and that will help to drive more motion to them.
But the question here will this affect the ongoing novels?
Still this has to be properly calculated and thoroughly tested, as even using logic can't be applied to many real life scenarios. Many tests are needed and a few examples - even from Amazon - aren't enough to judge precisely on the validity of such alterations.
Many published authors when you buy their old works you'll get great prices for them compared to the time of hype they had the year of these works' release and couple of years after. still some famous works still carry their value and have their prices stable after many years, and I don't know if these would be applicable too here in wn or it will fail.
After giving it another thought, the matter is much complicated than I initially thought. Many parameters are laid on the table, for example is the work ongoing or completed? Does it bring money even whether it's ongoing or completed? Is it popular or it's already buried under the dirt? Does it have a sequel or it's a stand alone book?
Considering these elements you'll reach the conclusion that some books differ than others, and then we'll have to tweak this to separate books according to many parameters.
Which is hard to plan, try out, and execute to be honest. A full parameter with scores is needed, many will be asked out of authors, translators and editors to do for such a system to operate and function properly. More importantly closer monitoring for testing, preservation, and maintenance is asked from the higher ups of the company to make sure the system won't suddenly crash and everything they worked for years won't be smashed into pieces.
The more the system became complicated, the harder it is to do and succeed. Frankly speaking, If I was one of the higher ups in the company, I would toss my idea away and not consider it, harsh yet true.
I'll come back if I have a better simpler idea, or not.
ranmaro.
