Writing Web Novels In America-Chapter 347 - 331 Bezos’s Idea

"Abandoned by the times?"

Silicon Valley, inside a newly built office building.

Jeff Bezos looked at his computer and let out a soft sigh. frёewebnoѵēl.com

It had to be said that the bestselling author’s description was very vivid.

The death of that Holy Knight even made him think of a scene from a middle school history book, from World War II.

"Polish knights bravely charging, swords in hand, undeterred towards Adrian’s tank corps?"

"It really does evoke a sense of the passing of an era, the old soldiers withering away!"

At that moment, his assistant knocked and entered.

"Mr. Bezos, here’s the data you requested."

After handing over the documents to the Chairman, he began to report on the specifics.

"Currently, aside from Random House, the other five major publishers have seen a 40% reduction in newly added volumes of entertainment-oriented, popular literature in physical books compared to the previous year."

"And sales data show that, since the establishment of wangwen.com, the five major publishers’ profits in this area have decreased by 60%."

Bezos glanced at the sales data and nodded slightly.

As he had anticipated, the development of online literature greatly impacted the publishing industry of mass market physical books.

"After all, books are so expensive, most of those who can afford novels for leisure also have the means to buy computers."

"And with famous authors like Stephen King and Neil Gaiman moving towards online creation, they are bound to bring a large number of book fans to the site."

"The recent controversy caused by that bestselling author and the box office success of the movie have brought even more users."

Honestly, Bezos felt a twinge of regret for setting all his energy on the competition with eBay during that time.

After going through a cash-burning battle and various subsidies, both sites were somewhat unsustainable.

Yet even up to this moment, their user numbers are still neck and neck.

The only area where Amazon was slightly ahead of eBay was in exclusive books.

Of course, Bezos did not regret not joining forces with Viacom Group to attack that bestselling author.

He had simply set his sights on the higher profits from must-have professional books such as textbooks and reference books, which have a wider audience and more rigid demand.

Bezos reviewed the data on this aspect, comparing it with the documents handed over by his assistant.

"The development of online literature is too rapid, and that bestselling author’s slice of the pie has become a bit too large."

So, the recent incident was probably just the beginning.

"In the future, traditional media and wangwen.com will inevitably come into even more intense conflict," Bezos mused over his coffee, making his judgement.

"What should we do then? Side with traditional media?" His assistant paused before asking.

"But that Asian bestselling author is very popular in Silicon Valley."

"People like Larry Elson and Mr. Wozniak have even publicly praised him."

"Why should Amazon take the side of traditional media and risk the disdain of our peers?" Bezos looked at his assistant with an expression akin to regarding an imbecile.

"What we have to do is to use various means to expand their conflict when the two sides clash, dragging out their time and attention."

"Meanwhile, Amazon should network with the key figures of the five big publishers to acquire the online exclusive rights to reference books."

"If they drag it out long enough, it’s not impossible for us to directly approach well-known scholars and experts to exclusively publish those books ourselves."

"But why would those people abandon publishing houses they have long cooperated with and hand the publishing over to us?" the assistant asked.

"The answer is high royalties!" Bezos replied decisively, "We can even offer subsidies at lower prices when users buy books from Amazon."

"Remember, we are an internet company." He looked at the young man he was grooming, his voice growing somewhat stern, "Losses are never a big issue, as long as we can gain users."

"But... wangwen.com isn’t running at a loss," the assistant muttered.

"Ahem," Bezos coughed lightly, "that site... is somewhat unconventional."

"In any case..." he glanced at the novel he had just been reading and slowly began, "Bookstores seem to be something abandoned by the times!"

Then, Bezos whispered, "And the five major publishers..."

"Wang, if you can withstand the attacks of the major media conglomerates for a long time,"

"then Amazon won’t mind acting as the cannon to send those old stubborn mules where they belong."

...

Wang Jian had no idea that the bald man he’d met once, now working in e-commerce, harbored such grand ambitions—and was also sizing him up as a target for drawing fire.

He was currently riding in a car, heading to the HBO office building to discuss matters concerning "Prison Break Transformation."

"’King Arthur’ just updated and immediately set the record for the fastest single-Chapter earnings over ten thousand US dollars since the site was established."

What did this mean?

It meant that his popularity was soaring, and the readers were willing to buy in.

"So, I have to take advantage of this opportunity and quickly partner with HBO to launch ’Prison Break Transformation.’"

This work, unlike the more feminized "Prison Break" or the more masculinized "Prison Break Special Forces," targeted the relatively fewer LGBT community members.

Okay, plus some folks with considerable interest in the fashion industry.

"In any case, the prospects for this TV show’s subscription are not hopeful."

"With this heat, it’s time to gouge whoever I can," Wang Jian whispered to himself.

As for whether this would consume his own reputation, he was not particularly worried.

If people subscribed and found it not to their taste, many would simply not renew.

And speaking out against the LGBT community would mean societal death under the great umbrella of political correctness.

Shortly after, the newest model of a Cadillac SUV stopped in front of HBO’s office building.

"Mr. Wang, it’s a great pleasure to welcome you," said the HBO station manager, extending a warm handshake.

"Uh..." Wang Jian gave him a surprised look.

"Why did you come out to meet me in person?"

"Hehe, first I want to congratulate you on your film adaptation’s box office success," said the elderly Caucasian man with a chuckled.

"Second, we always need to give the fashion industry masters some private space."

"After all, those two have always been soft-spoken and refined in front of others."

"Uh..." Wang Jian looked at the elderly man and blinked cunningly.

"Is it a problem with the sponsorship fees?" he inquired.

"Yes." The HBO station manager nodded, "Do you know which method gets the highest bids in the auction business?"

"It’s blind bidding." He didn’t wait for Wang Jian to respond, and answered his own question.

"You never know how much those wealthy individuals are willing to spend to get what they want."

"And it seems that the fashion industry people are still quite rich."

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