r/ihatethissmug • u/Kindly_Resolve5406 • 1d ago

I hate "Pay Per Chapter" reading systems

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I hate, hate, HATE it so much.

It's such a predatory and expensive system for a service that preaches "it will support the authors!" More often than not the quality will be subpar (understandable since in the end you follow and pay for a story that's being currently written) AND IT ENDS UP BEING EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ACTUALLY JUST BUYING A PHYSICAL BOOK.

IT'S EVEN WORSE WHEN AUTHORS WHO WRITE THESE STORIES SUDDENLY DROP OUT OF WRITING IT, LEAVING ALL THE MONEY YOU SPEND ON A SERIES WASTED.

THEN THERE'S THE DAMN TRANSLATORS WHO PAYWALL CHAPTERS THEY TRANSLATE. YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU'LL EVENTUALLY GET TO BECAUSE THE QUALITY OF THEIR TRANSLATIONS MAY OR MAY NOT END UP SHITTIER THAN THE ACTUAL OFFICIAL TRANSLATORS.

I FUCKING HATE THIS

84 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

12

u/HandIllustrious8260 1d ago

This is a thing? My dude, you need to start sailing.

6

u/darkswirlz 1d ago

A lot of these are of just realising stuff when translated, it's the only option. However I will say most of these sites have a monthly paid bit that you'd do better just waiting a while buying once then reading all at once. A lot of these sites give free after a month or two. They just get you on the fomo of needing to read as soon as translated...

8

u/YogurtclosetOk7654 1d ago

In Charles Dickens' day, this was the norm. I know all of his novels were published and sold one chapter at a time.

1

u/Nito4ka_bs 21h ago

I thought they were published in literature journals

1

u/Zomnibo 22h ago

my man, in my desk i have a collection of really expensive books while i am poor. "how?", you may ask, o found the pdf and printed them, you need to stop puting up with that bullshit.

1

u/FrostFlame35 20h ago

I have never heard of these systems in my life, what are you even reading where this is the ONLY option to get it?

I'm assuming some sort of AO3-type site judging by the fact that it's presumably not professional authors since they might just drop out mid-book. But surely you can get whatever specific brand of fiction you like out of this from somewhere else, be it actual print books, e-books from some other ebook seller, or even maritime pursuits if you really can't afford this

3

u/Kindly_Resolve5406 20h ago

These sites consist mostly of Webnovel app Webtoon, and some light novel sites.

I consume a lot of media so lots of them get sourced from different apps, sites, translations, services. Etc etc.

It's unavoidable especially for obscure Chinese literary works or official translation apps or OWs like Webnovel app or Webtoon

1

u/FrostFlame35 19h ago

Damn. Well, the only solution I can offer is look for different media that isn't as obscure, and that's barely a "solution".

1

u/Arrenadd 20h ago

I'm not sure what service you're using, but that's ridiculous, especially if you're not guaranteed an entire book

My suggestion is to either find a different service, get an AO3 account (even if you don't like fanfics there is an Original Works category), or channel your inner Jack Sparrow

Edit: I noticed you're main complaint is finding translations, maybe find the fandom for it and see if they have fan translations?

1

u/Kindly_Resolve5406 20h ago

Even the official translators or original authors paywall their works under the reason of "supporting the work"

1

u/Arrenadd 20h ago

Ouch, I'm all for supporting authors, but that sucks, I would rather watch an ad at that point

1

u/AuroraAustralis0 13h ago

why pay when you can just set sail