"...You may not know that their family has the nickname of 'Xunweizhai', and writers from Yanjing will go to them for dinner and dinner from time to time, and sometimes they even attract many foreign writers.
If Yushu becomes an editor, it will be effortless to compile the manuscript."
At this point, Zhang Dening stopped.
Yang Mo pondered and asked, "Have you told Comrade Qingquan this idea before?"
Zhang Dening knew that Yang Mo would definitely ask this question. She nodded and said truthfully: "I mentioned it. Comrade Qingquan approved my idea. I had a simple communication with Yushu some time ago. She is interested in editing work."
of.
But this matter definitely requires our unit to come forward and talk to the distribution office. Unfortunately, Comrade Qingquan was transferred, so I wanted to ask your thoughts."
After she said this, Yang Mo thought for a moment and said: "Now the performance of our magazine is booming, there are more and more manuscripts, and the workload is naturally getting bigger and bigger. Comrade Yushu has excellent conditions. If she can come to us, then
Of course it’s a good thing.”
After listening to Yang Mo's words, Zhang Dening's face relaxed, "Then according to your opinion..."
"Let me promote this matter. You are responsible for communicating with Comrade Yushu. The school will definitely ask for her opinion when the time comes."
"I understand, don't worry."
After Zhang Dening finished talking about his business, he was about to leave, but Yang Mo stopped him and asked: "Dening, what is the exact number of words in the novel "The Master of Chess"?"
"131,246 words." Zhang Dening answered without hesitation. The novel was edited and proofread by her, and it was a manuscript that she paid special attention to, so she was deeply impressed by it.
Listening to Zhang Dening's answer, a look of appreciation flashed across Yang Mo's face, and he asked again: "Is it also a short novel?"
Zhang Dening nodded hesitantly. There has never been a strict or unified standard for the length of novels in literary theory circles, especially for novels of about 100,000 words. Sometimes even editors are not sure whether they should be called novels or novels.
Everyone defines novel categories based on needs.
For example, "Yanjing Literature" basically publishes short and medium-length novels, so "The Chess Master" is published here as a novella.
Is it okay to say that it is a novel? Of course it is, a novel with more than 100,000 words is called a novel, and no one can find fault with it.
But compared with a real novel, the length of "The Chess Master" is obviously too short, and in terms of story structure, it is indeed closer to the size of a novella.
"I just received a notice from the Literary Association. They will soon hold a novel award. They will send letters to literary associations, literary journals and publishing houses across the country, asking everyone to recommend outstanding novels.
The letter clearly stated that novels with a word count of more than 100,000 words are considered full-length novels.
Our "Yanjing Literature" has always published mainly short stories and short stories, and there shouldn't be many works with more than 100,000 words published, right?"
Hearing this, Zhang Dening thought of the news that has been circulating in the literary world recently.
"Since the resumption of publication, Chaoyang's "Chess Master" is the only novel we have published with more than 100,000 words."
After answering Yang Mo's question, Zhang Dening asked curiously: "Editor-in-Chief, are you talking about the award created based on Mr. Mao Dun's last wish?"
Yang Mo nodded slightly, "Yes."
"Is it really called the Mao Dun Literature Award?"
"We have already held a meeting and it has been decided that it will be named the Mao Dun Literary Award."
Zhang Dening looked amazed. This is the first literary award named in an individual's name in China, and the awards are for novels.
Yang Mo added: "The scope of the first Mao Dun Literature Award is novels with more than 100,000 words published between 1977 and 1981. Lin Chaoyang's "The Master of Chess" just meets the registration requirements. Are you ready?
Prepare the novel information and we will submit it later."
"Okay!" Zhang Dening responded happily.
The novel she is the editor-in-charge of is competing for the first novel award in the Chinese literary world, which is of course a happy event.
After work, Zhang Dening couldn't wait to follow Tao Yushu to the Overseas Chinese Apartment.
Then, when she walked in, she saw Zhu Changsheng from "Contemporary" sitting on the sofa chatting and laughing with Lin Chaoyang, and she suddenly felt irritated in her heart.
You have to grab someone else's share of rewards and rewards, the Humanities Club is really bullying!
"Why are you here?" Tao Yushu asked Zhang Dening.
"You know what you are asking, but everyone is here."
Tao Yushu was confused by Zhang Dening's words, "What do you mean?"
Seeing Tao Yushu's expression, Zhang Dening asked, "Didn't he come to tell Chaoyang about the award?"
"What kind of award? I'm here to discuss the publication of "The Death of Van Gogh" with Chaoyang."
After hearing this, Zhang Dening realized that he had misunderstood the situation and felt happy. He was not just taking the credit for announcing the good news from her.
A smile broke out on her face, "The Death of Van Gogh is also going to be published? Your money-loving fans will be able to get a lot of royalties again."
Tao Yushu rolled his eyes at her. No one was rushing to announce the good news with Zhang Dening, so she was no longer in a hurry. Seeing Lin Chaoyang talking to Zhu Changsheng, she rushed into the kitchen to help Tao Yushu work, preparing to have dinner here.
Zhu Changsheng had indeed come to discuss the publication of "The Death of Van Gogh" with Lin Chaoyang. In the blink of an eye, the novel had been published for more than nine months and had received unanimous praise from the literary world and readers. The issue in which the novel was published
"Contemporary" has sold more than one million copies, and its influence is extraordinary.
"The Death of Van Gogh" directly made a Western painter who was originally unknown in China a household name in the country.
Not only that, some time ago, Yanjing Publishing House took advantage of the trend caused by "The Death of Van Gogh" and directly introduced Irving Stone's biography of Van Gogh, "Longing for Life - The Biography of Van Gogh".
The sales volume of the work exceeded 200,000 copies in the month it was released, and in two months now, the cumulative sales volume has exceeded 300,000 copies. At this rate, this biography should be able to exceed 1 million copies in sales within one or two years.
For a biographical work, especially if the protagonist of the biography was not very famous in China a year ago, it is undoubtedly a huge miracle to achieve such sales.
The biggest reason behind such a miraculous sales volume is neither the legendary experience of the protagonist Van Gogh nor the outstanding talent of the biographer Irving Stone, but the novel "The Death of Van Gogh" that is widely welcomed by the Chinese people.
huge impact.
Just like the best-selling novels and anime of later generations will have fan works, "Longing for Life - The Biography of Van Gogh" has also enjoyed the blessing of fan works similar to the original work, and its sales have skyrocketed.
At the beginning of the year, "The Death of Van Gogh" was published in "Contemporary" in the form of a special issue. Originally, the editorial department of "Contemporary" did not plan to publish "The Death of Van Gogh" so soon.
After all, a special account can be equated with independent publishing to a certain extent. If readers buy a special account, they will not have a strong desire to buy books again in the short term.
But now seeing the sales results of "Longing for Life - The Biography of Van Gogh", the editorial department can't sit still. A work introduced based on the influence of "The Death of Van Gogh" can sell so well. They
I can’t imagine what kind of sales the novel will be after it is published.
Anyway, it has been nine months since the novel was published. After a while of editing, proofreading, and proofreading, it will be almost a year, which is enough.
Therefore, under the instruction of the leaders of the club, Zhu Changsheng came to visit today.
After hearing Zhu Changsheng finish their publication request, Lin Chaoyang was silent. Upon seeing this, Zhu Changsheng asked: "Chaoyang, what worries do you have?"
I have no worries, I just want to add money.
Of course, this cannot be said directly, it must be tactful, otherwise it will not fit his personality.
"Is "Lai Zi's Summer" selling well this year?" Lin Chaoyang asked.
Zhu Changsheng was stunned for a moment when he heard his question, and then replied: "It's pretty good. It's been printed for the third time, and the sales volume has already approached 500,000 copies."
"Raiko's Summer" was published at the end of last year. It has been 10 months since then and has achieved sales of 500,000 copies, which is already impressive.
But compared with Lin Chaoyang's other works, there is still a certain gap.
"Parental Love" published in "Harvest" was published almost at the same time as "Raiko's Summer". This novel did not even use the pen name "Xu Lingjun" before, and it has sold nearly 700,000 copies in more than half a year.
book.
"Little Shoes", which has been published for the longest time, has now sold a total of 1.35 million copies, not to mention "Wreaths Under the Mountain", a work that has become popular all over the country. The total sales of the novel have exceeded the 4 million copy mark.
Compared with these works, the sales volume of 500,000 copies of "Raiko's Summer" is much lower.
If we simply look at the evaluation in the literary world and the reputation among readers, "The Summer of Raiko" is no less than any of these works, or even better.
As the leading work that created the concept of "Chinese-style stream-of-consciousness literature", "Lai Zi's Summer" has gradually been recognized by the literary world as its status in the history of contemporary literature.
But the problem is that stream-of-consciousness literature inherently has a certain reading threshold compared to ordinary novels with realistic themes. When it was first published, it was so popular that readers flocked to it, but they couldn't see anything.
When the novel is published and requires energy and money to support it that is different from magazine reading, the limitations of the reading threshold become apparent.
"'Little Shoes' and 'Parents' Love' also sold a lot." Lin Chaoyang added.
Zhu Changsheng looked at him, thinking of Lin Chaoyang's usual style, and understood something in his heart.
"The royalties for the publication of the novel..." After only saying a few words, Zhu Changsheng noticed Lin Chaoyang's eyes flashing, and it seemed that his guess was right.
"What do you think about the royalties?" Zhu Changsheng asked.
Lin Chaoyang was disappointed in his heart, and he had to let me tell him personally, which was unkind.
"I think the royalties can be mentioned appropriately."
"Are you still mentioning it? It's already up to snuff."
"The rules are rules, and the publishing bureau didn't say it could only give so much," Lin Chaoyang defended.
Seeing Lin Chaoyang's firm attitude, Zhu Changsheng looked sad, "I can't make the decision in this matter!"
"Then you go back and discuss it with your boss. My novel is selling so well, so I think it's not too much to pay me more royalties, right?"
Lin Chaoyang's novels have always been popular, which is why he dared to propose an increase in manuscript fees. Even if the Humanities Society did not agree to this request, Lin Chaoyang would not worry that no publisher would be willing to publish his novels.
Thinking like this, Zhu Changsheng nodded helplessly, "Then I'll go back and ask the leader."
Lin Chaoyang joked: "Don't be so gloomy. It's like I'm using your salary to increase the royalties."
After talking about business, Zhu Changsheng was about to leave, but Lin Chaoyang pulled him to stay at home for dinner.
Over there, Zhang Dening saw that he had finished speaking to Zhu Changsheng, and then came over, "Chaoyang, I have good news for you!"
"What good news?"
"The Mao Dun Literary Award is about to be evaluated, and our editorial department plans to submit your "Chess Master"." Zhang Dening said excitedly.
"Oh." Lin Chaoyang nodded, his reaction was flat.
"What do you mean by 'oh'?" Zhang Dening looked at his reaction and felt like someone had poured cold water on his head.
"It means I understand."
Zhang Dening glared at him, "This is the first novel selection in China, and it's also an award named after Mr. Mao Dun. Aren't you excited?"
"This award has been rumored for half a year, no one knows about it."
Chapter completed!