[Timboli]

I also think it could be quite interesting, to attempt to determine the value of a story.
The value being quite subjective of course, certainly regarding all the interested parties, but I think a valuable exercise, never-the-less.

The value of course, also comes in different forms.

To start off, let's look at the value to the Author.
There is the value inherent in the joy of creating something, which will encompass the hard work (writing and possibly research), the intuition and the assistance from others, and possibly sacrifices.
Then there is the recompense or expectancy of such.
All that is quite variable, and different for a new author compared to an established one with a following, and a life built around expected earnings.
So hard to quantify for them, and nothing is ever hugely guaranteed in that regard or for long.

Let's look next at the Publisher.
To them it is about product, getting a good return, and encouraging more of such. Depending on the publisher there may be an element of altruism, and looking beyond the immediate. That last may just be the industry and or something deemed good or worthy for mankind or perhaps a personal bias.
The value for them on one level is simple, costs need to be covered and a profit made, but can also be complicated with any altruism or other desires.
So once again, maybe hard to quantify.

There are no doubt other parties involved, but I am just going to cover the main ones myself, so the last one is the Customer or consumer ... the value to them.
Now this is incredibly subjective, and is based on a whole swag of conditional elements, including personality.
It is perhaps best if I just make a numbered list.
1. Expected value to pay for a book.
2. Financial situation. Clearly this will have a bigger impact on some than others.
3. What you are prepared to pay. This of course will vary depending on liking for the author (if any) and importance of a story (i.e. part of a series, etc) or perhaps just expectation based on referral.
4. Competition. Which could be another book or books, especially where price is a consideration. It can also be all sorts of things ... anything else you might need or want to spend money on, whether that be other entertainment or some kind of luxury or not a luxury at all but a necessity to a varying degree.
5. Willingness to make a sacrifice ... go without something.
6. Something based on your health or physical situation.
I am sure there are others and many are interrelated of course.

As can be seen, it is likely to be a very complex beast if you need to count your pennies.
Of course, affluent people have the benefit of their whims, and ethical conscience judgments, all of which often comes down to personality.
And then regardless of financial situation, some are just reckless ... they want they get.

Lots of stuff to think about, and I am sure quite overwhelming really. So for most of us, we prefer to simplify.

What can I afford, will I get enough value for that, or should I buy something else ... or just wait and hope for a future improvement? And perhaps we will do a comparative judgment.

Take a movie for instance, a kind of dumbed down book.
Less time to consume, usually easier on the mind as a lot of stuff is visualized for you. Instant entertainment, with relatively little waiting for the drama and or action. Quick and easy to watch again.

A movie can be up to double the price of a book, but generally less than that, often by a good margin.

At the end of the day, movie or book are a story. For those who love reading, who like all the detail, or like to do their own visualization, a book is usually far more rewarding. A movie has some benefits though, chief of which is the possibility of a shared experience.

So in many ways, a book and a movie are direct competitors ... even when different subject matter.

Many people opt for a movie over a book, even when they are a book lover, just purely because it takes less time and effort to consume, and can be instantly shared with friends and or loved ones ... especially if one etc of those is never going to read the book version anyway.

The Lord Of The Rings is an obvious example. Many who have never been able to start or complete the book, have watched the movie. I wouldn't like to speculate how many more have watched the movie and not read the book, but I imagine it is a lot more.

So inevitably for some of us, we consider the costs involved in providing a book, and the costs involved in providing a movie. And frankly there is usually a huge disparity or difference.

In financial terms, we are getting a lot more bang for our buck when buying a movie.

So honestly, how can you make a value judgment between the two mediums? It is going to be different depending on who you are, and perhaps how you may be feeling at any point in time, etc.

I've really only touched the surface of all this ... and it's just my understanding at this point in time ... without expanding too much. I am sure many of you have your own understanding and views to share. Please do.

P.S. On a personal note, a movie of a book, especially one like the Lord Of The Rings, spoils or mars it, certainly for me. It makes many things concrete that I feel are better left to our own mind. This is especially so when there is a conflict, but not only. I very much like the idea, that the images and notions are flexible in your mind. So much so, that on subsequent readings, perhaps many years apart, you can interpret differently. That doesn't really happen with a movie in quite the same way.