Author's Note on Official Launch

I have no idea who invented the bizarre ritual known as the "Launch Announcement." I suspect they were as much of a chatterbox as Cangshan, unable to find enough space to run their mouth, so they had to come up with this excuse.

...

In reality, it all comes down to money.

Years ago, when piracy was rampant, authors would pour their hearts into their work yet struggle to feed their families. They had no choice but to put on a pathetic display before the book went behind a paywall, crying out from the depths of their souls in the hope that more readers would have a change of heart and switch to paid reading.

Things are much better now. Awareness of intellectual property has grown, there are more kind-hearted people, and an increasing number of readers are willing to pay for a quality reading experience. Even an average author can now earn a decent living.

Yet, the "Launch Announcement" has not faded into obscurity. I cannot speak for other websites, but at Qidian, it has become an international convention.

Why is that?

It seems it still comes down to money. After all, nobody ever complains about having too much of it; every extra subscription is another point toward success.

So, here is my conclusion: trying to reason with people to make them pay for legitimate content and a better reading experience is futile. The legal cost of creating or consuming pirated content is far too low, and the cost of being unreasonable is dirt cheap.

Only by winning people over with virtue and moving their hearts can one hope to coax the little coins out of your accounts...

After all, a clear conscience is priceless!

...

And so, it is my turn to move your hearts!

Ahem!

What should I say?

What can I say to trick you into willingly opening your wallets?

Well then...

Please support the legitimate version, and please support Cangshan.

That is all.

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