Writing Web Novels In America-Chapter 43 Comparison

"Isn’t this plagiarism?" Wang Jian pointed at the computer screen and looked back at Tom.

Tom also walked up to the computer and after looking at it for a while, he nodded and said, "It should be considered plagiarism."

"In the creation of literary works, ideas and thoughts can be imitated, but only the method of expression is protected."

"And this ’I’m Really a Great Mage’ even imitates the method of expression. However, I suggest still consulting some experienced editors."

Consulting experienced editors, that would be a significant expense.

Is it worth it?

Wang Jian thought for a moment.

Then, he clicked into the website’s backend and watched the real-time traffic.

He then compared it with the traffic of a promotional article specially released by Amazon.

It was indeed a lot higher.

As a transmigrator, Wang Jian didn’t quite understand the historical development of Amazon, but he still felt vaguely familiar with the name.

That would mean, Amazon continued to exist until he had transmigrated.

And now, his personal website’s traffic was actually higher than this newly established Amazon.

Did that mean, judging from the current situation, his website had greater potential for development than this first online bookstore, Amazon?

So, hiring experienced editors and increasing investment in the website to make it more professional, was it possible to make the money back?

He pondered for a moment and then shook his head.

Merely guessing was pointless, he still needed to make some comparisons.

Wang Jian entered Amazon’s URL, searched for "I’m a Great Mage", and then clicked to purchase.

The payment methods were Visa, Mastercard, and American Express Credit Card.

He looked at Tom and Rossi and asked, "Can we follow this payment method?"

"Of course." The two of them responded in unison.

Rossi signaled Tom to answer.

Tom smiled and said, "These card companies are extremely aggressive about promoting themselves; they’d give credit cards to the homeless and card readers to drug dealers."

"Not to mention us."

Wang Jian nodded in understanding.

Then, he took a deep breath and said to Rossi, "First, block all the works that might involve plagiarism on the website."

"Then, take the top 50 bestsellers of this year as samples, and calculate the ratio of their price to the number of words."

"And you," Wang Jian turned to Tom, "find the most popular book on this website aside from ’Arcane Throne.’"

"Try to contact its author to confirm whether they have completed at least one volume."

"Then, strive to sign an electronic copyright agreement with them."

"Electronic copyright agreement? Is it a guarantee or a profit-sharing deal, and what’s the ratio?" Tom, feeling like he was part of something extraordinary, asked with a shiver.

Wang Jian thought about the standard profit-sharing ratios of publishers.

For sequels to bestsellers, the highest is 20%.

For recognized literary masters, like Hemingway, the highest can go up to 25%.

Considering the online publishing, this unknown new method of publication, and website operational costs.

"Let’s go with a 50% profit-sharing ratio," he answered.

"Let’s do an experiment," Wang Jian declared loudly.

"Since most of the website comprises fantasy novels, let’s compare it with the benchmark of this year’s fantasy novels, ’A Song of Ice and Fire.’"

"’A Song of Ice and Fire’ is completely following the traditional publishing route, while ’Arcane Throne’ is going the online promotion, traditional publishing route."

"And this book on our website is following the online publishing route."

"Considering the differences in promotional channels, prominence, and profit-sharing ratios."

"If the book on our website could make a third of what ’A Song of Ice and Fire’ makes," Wang Jian smiled and said, "I think we might have found something we can call a career."

Tom and Rossi glanced at Wang Jian, then turned back to the computer.

After several repeats, they nodded simultaneously, and their smiles slowly spread.

Meanwhile, Wang Jian sat back down on the couch, beginning to ponder how to increase exposure for the website and the novel about to be used as an experiment.

Just as the three of them were bustling about in that cramped apartment,

the "ding-dong" of the doorbell suddenly rang.

Wang Jian glanced at Tom and Rossi, who were crowded in front of the computer tallying various data.

Shaking his head, he went to the door and opened it.

He was greeted by a flash of red hair, particularly glaring under the sunlight.

Then, a slightly mocking female voice rang in his ear.

"Busy as ever, great author, aren’t you?"

Wang Jian rubbed his eyes dazzled by the sunlight and looked across.

It was Lily’s best friend, the ’white bone spirit’ of the advertising world, Lynn.

He recalled that Lily had once told him that Lynn knew about his and Lily’s relationship.

Somewhat awkwardly, Wang Jian let her into the apartment and asked, "What’s up?"

"Of course," Lynn rolled her eyes and said, "Otherwise, why would I bother coming here?"

"What is it exactly?" Wang Jian frowned.

He could be a bit more accommodating towards Lily, but that didn’t mean he would do the same for Lynn.

As time passed since his own transmigration, along with his changing status and wallet,

Wang Jian no longer felt as alien and scared of this world as he had at the beginning.

Correspondingly, his personality had also begun to change bit by bit.

Lynn gave Wang Jian a look and asked, "Has Lily come looking for you?"

"No," Wang Jian shook his head.

Lynn pouted and complained, "She’s still too embarrassed."

"It’s like this," she said with a slightly more serious expression, looking at Wang Jian, "Gene is about to start elementary school, and Lily hopes Gene can have a chance at going to the best elementary school in New York, Horace Mann Elementary School."

"And that school is the best private elementary school in the United States. There are three ways in. First, pay high tuition fees. Second, be exceptionally intelligent."

Lynn paused, then continued, "Or have a recommendation from an alumni association or a celebrity."

"The school currently really hopes that the author of ’Arcane Throne’, an ’Ivy Recommended Book’, could give a speech there."

"And that way, this author can recommend a child for admission to the school."

Lynn looked at Wang Jian, shrugged, and said, "Lily was too embarrassed to come to you, so here I am."

Wang Jian recalled how Lily and Gene looked and thought about speaking in front of the attentive eyes of many children. He hesitated.

He really wasn’t fond of children...

Suddenly, Tom and Rossi, crowded around the computer, exclaimed in surprise and shouted, "Unbelievable, it’s actually a children’s book!"

Wang Jian looked at them curiously and walked over.

He saw on the computer screen written: This book was created to entertain children, so it’s a children’s book.

We hope everyone provides valuable feedback.

Below this message was the name of the novel.

Wang Jian focused and saw it was ’Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’.

ps: There will be one post for the next three days because I smoked a pack of cigarettes, and it felt like flying.

Today I finished them, and tomorrow I’ll resume two posts.

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