I rarely rant.  You all know it; I have rarely ever posted a rant blog.  But this time, I'm afraid I need to let off a little steam.  As you'd guessed, it's about subscriber-only stories.

I often come across stories that give you the first chapter and then become subscriber-only thereafter.  Or, they are subscriber-only to begin.  While I have absolutely no problem subscribing to stories I love, I absolute DESPISE the idea of having to subscribe to even begin reading a story I don't even know.  To me, it feels as if I must get married first before I can get to know my husband.  Obviously, I have an issue with being 'forced' to subscribe first if I want to read a story (though technically, I'm not forced into anything since no one dictates I MUST subscribe; I can simply choose not to read the story... which is often the route I take).  Whenever I see a subscriber-only story, I can't help but feel as if the author is cheating the statistics.  Higher subscribers usually means a popular story.  But how accurate is it if your readers MUST subscribe if they want to read?  

Of course, my cursed logical mind can argue the other side as well.  Subscriber-only stories can be akined to paying for a book before you read it.  You pay, or subscribe, so that you can have access to a story that you would otherwise not have.  We all do it with textbooks, movies, novels, etc.  In a way, it is perfectly normal to ask your readers to subscribe if they want access to your story.  After all, that's how our society works too; we 'pay' for what we want.

I guess, at the end of the day, it all comes down to what's in it for you.  I offer all of my stories unconditionally (and I will continue to).  I like to think my stories invoke emotions within my readers and that, in turn, makes them want to subscribe to read more.  Comments make me even happier because I can connect with my readers directly to see if they shared a similar emotional experience reading my story as I did writing it.  Of course, I will be the first to admit that seeing my subscribers grow is a boost to my author-ego.  However, I personally would feel fake, for a lack of better wording, if I knew my subscribers number was high because readers didn't really have a choice.  This is my own personal opinion;  I'm sure some of you would disagree.

Again, it all comes down to whether or not you want to be a library or a bookstore.  Since I CHOSE to be a library, I guess I shouldn't really complain about bookstores.  

BTW, if I sound like an inconsistent nutcase, it's because I am.  I hate that I can usually argue both sides.  I was always terrible at debates.

Edit #1: I should add, since commenters have pointed out a very valid point, that I don't see subscriber-only to be really a problem for stories that INVOLVE subscribers.  For example, designers who do design work, or authors who take requests.  It only makes sense that these authors use subscriptions to track which subscribers requested what.

Edit #2: I realize this post is a bit of -stirrer in the sense that people will disagree.  I welcome constructive disagreements; I find conflict is often the best way to open people's minds and broaden our ways of thinking.  While I don't intentionally mean to offend, this post IS judgemental in nature simply because I'm expressing my opinion.