1980 My literary era

Cheng Wuchun listened to Lin Weimin's talk for a long time and was already in a state of mind. Lin Weimin finally stopped and asked expectantly: "How is it? What do you think of my idea?"

Like a primary school student who was caught by the teacher while slipping out of class, Cheng Wanchun was a little flustered.

He didn't know what was going on. He just ran away after hearing it halfway.

"Okay! This is a good idea, I think I can try it."

It’s just a series of books anyway, so I don’t have much investment, Cheng Wuchun thought to himself.

When Lin Weimin heard this, a smile suddenly appeared on his face.

When did Lao Cheng become so enlightened?

It seems that he must have been shocked by my idea.

"Okay, since you agree. Let's release the news before the year ends, and let the domestic writers follow us and have fun."

Lehehe? What's the meaning?

Cheng Wuchun didn't understand what he meant and was too embarrassed to ask again, so he ended the conversation hastily.

Three days later, the latest issue of "Literary Story Newspaper" was released.

As a literary and historical digest weekly under the Chinese Literature Society, "Literary Stories" has its own fixed audience, with sales of between 4 and 50 million copies per issue. This sales volume has already reached 400,000 copies in the current domestic newspaper market. It's pretty good.

Early in the morning, many readers who subscribed to newspapers for the whole year took out newspapers from the newspaper boxes at their doorsteps, so that they could read them while eating breakfast.

"'Buhu Series' Essay Collection for Millions of Authors"?

When many people read a newspaper, their attention is quickly attracted by the headlines on the front page.

One line of headlines, eleven words, four of which seemed to have magic power to attract the attention of all readers who were reading the newspaper - one million royalties.

In this era, the monthly salary of ordinary working-class people is only more than 200 yuan, and a little more than 400 to 500 yuan is good. The words "millions of royalties" are so eye-catching that it is impossible for everyone to ignore them.

After carefully reading the call for essays on the front page, everyone realized what was going on.

It turned out that the "Buhu Series" planned by the Chinese Literature Society launched the call for essays. The so-called "millions of royalties" refer to the royalties budget provided by the Chinese Literature Society for this essay solicitation.

In the call for essays, the Chinese Literature Society clearly stipulated that all works selected for the "Buhu Series" would be paid an astronomical royalties of RMB 150 per 1,000 words.

After the work is published, if the first printing volume is no less than 100,000 copies, and the sales volume of the work exceeds 150,000 copies, it will automatically be converted into royalties to pay royalties, and the royalty share ratio is as high as 10%.

Hong Feng once worked as a substitute teacher in a middle school and later as a brick factory worker. After the college entrance examination system was restored in 1977, he was admitted to the Chinese Department of Northeast Normal University. After graduating in 1982, he taught in the Chinese Department of Baicheng Teachers College. In 1984, he was transferred to the Jichun Provincial Department of Literature. Co-editor of "Writer" magazine.

In his spare time, Hong Feng's greatest pleasure was writing. In 1983, he was inspired by Lin Weimin to join the creative force of "avant-garde literature" and became as famous as Yu Hua, Ma Yuan and others.

But in recent years, as pure literature continues to fall into decline, Hong Feng's creative career has also reached a low point.

Last year, his latest novel "East Eight Time Zone" was well received by many critics in the literary circle. However, he searched all over the publishing houses, but no one was willing to publish it.

Hong Feng has been in the literary world for more than ten years. He has written dozens of short and medium-length novels, and has won many awards. Although he lacks recognition from heavyweight literary awards such as the Yanbing Literary Award, he can say "strength" Writer” is not an exaggeration.

"East Eight Time Zone" received good reviews after it was written, but it actually reached the point where it could not be published. This not only made Hong Feng feel disappointed and embarrassed, but also put a big question mark in his mind about his writing career for so many years, which almost destroyed him. It gave him confidence as a writer.

Some time ago, he kept reflecting on his creative direction and content, trying to find the problem. In the end, he sadly discovered that he could only attribute everything to the market.

According to Hong Feng’s observation, pure literature has gradually declined in recent years. Except for some writers who have already become famous and have their own regular readership, the sales of most writers’ books are unsatisfactory after publication. This is why many publishing houses are unwilling to One of the reasons for republishing purely literary works.

Corresponding to the gradual marginalization of pure literature is the rapid rise of popular literature. In the mid-to-late 1980s, popular literature was still firmly suppressed by pure literature. However, in just a few years, the offensive and defensive trends were different, and pure literature was almost beaten to the ground by popular literature.

The popularity of the works of Jin Yong, San Mao, Qiong Yao and other popular literature writers from Xiangjiang, Wandao and other places has led to a wave of publishing of popular literature works. This type of works is also emerging in the mainland. Their easy-to-read and easy-to-understand characteristics make this type of literature popular. The circulation of works has increased again and again, and now it has reached a level that pure literature can hardly match.

With the popularity of popular literature, which publishing house is still willing to publish pure literary works that cannot sell?

Therefore, many domestic writers with average abilities and no representative works have found themselves in a situation where it is difficult to publish their works in recent years.

Hong Feng figured out his situation, suffered for a while, and then, while hesitating, tried to create a work of transformation.

Since pure literature is on the decline and popular literature is selling well, we should incorporate some popular elements into our works.

But as he continued to write, Hong Feng lost confidence again. He began to doubt in his heart, would any publishing house really be willing to publish the strange things he wrote, and would any readers appreciate it?

In this mood of worrying about gains and losses, another work of Hong Feng is about to be completed.

He was at a loss for what to do. When he was having breakfast today, he suddenly saw the call for essays from the Chinese Literature Society's "Buhuhu Series Millions of Rewards Essays" from the "Literary Story Newspaper" and he couldn't help but be shocked.

The total royalties are one million yuan, and the royalties for works of 1,000 words are 150 yuan. The first printing of 100,000 copies will be divided into 10% of the royalties for more than 150,000 copies.

This treatment cannot be described as generous, it is simply heartbreaking.

Two years ago, Huayi Publishing House wanted to publish Wang Shuo's "You'll Die If You're Too Addicted" and paid a royalties of 100 yuan per thousand words, which was already a sky-high price. Later, when Wang Shuo received royalties, it was even more unthinkable for most writers. number.

Now the Chinese Publishing House has actually increased the remuneration for 1,000 words to 150 yuan. The skyrocketing prices in the past two years are inferior to the increase in the royalties of the Chinese Publishing House.

Hong Feng stared at the text content in the newspaper. Regarding the essay requirements for the "Buhu Series", the Chinese Literature Society listed them very roughly. There were almost no hard and fast rules. They were all common sense. He thought that he would finish writing them soon. The movie "The World of Bitterness" is so heart-pounding.

Anyway, the result won’t be worse, and you won’t suffer any loss if you give it a try.

Hong Feng made up his mind and said to himself.

Lin Weimin of the Chinese Literature Society received a call from his old classmate Jin Ying.

Jin Ying and Lin Weimin were both students of the fifth batch of the Literary Research Institute. After graduation, they first worked as editors for a period of time, and then were transferred to the Hebei Literary and Art Association. Now they are the deputy leaders of the Literary and Art Association, and also serve as deputy secretary and deputy secretary of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles. President.

While her official career was prosperous, Jin Ying's creative career was also going well. Although she had not written many long novels in recent years, she published short and medium stories frequently, and she was worthy of the title of deputy leader of the Literary and Art Association.

There was an article in the fifth issue of "Contemporary Literary World" last year, "The Gemini Constellation in the Literary World in the New Era - A Brief Discussion on the Phenomenon of Coherence in the Creation Changes of Huang Anyi and Jin Ying", which referred to Jin Ying and Huang Anyi as "China's New Era Literary Circle". "Gemini Constellation", which shows the recognition of their literary achievements.

In June, she was named one of the "Top Ten Writers in China" by Girlfriend magazine.

Jin Ying called Lin Weimin this time, naturally because she saw the call for essays in the "Literary Story Newspaper".

"You, a big leader, still want to join in the fun?"

Faced with Lin Weimin's ridicule, Jin Ying said calmly: "Whatever leader doesn't lead, I have to eat all kinds of grains! Your Chinese Literature Society has a lot of money and offers a sky-high manuscript fee of 150 yuan per thousand words. Let alone me, who can do this?" Are you excited? I think you won’t be able to sleep well these days."

Jin Ying was right. As soon as the call for essays in the "Literary Story Newspaper" was posted, before the morning had passed, the phone numbers of the various editorial offices of the Chinese Literature Society were almost inundated with writers from all walks of life.

150 yuan per thousand words. If you write a 300,000-word novel, that’s 45,000 yuan.

Once it is published in the future, I might get even more.

This is 45,000 yuan, enough for an ordinary person to earn from working for ten years.

Last year, Jin Ying's collection of short stories and short stories "Wheat Straws" was published by Writers Press, and she only received 13,000 yuan in royalties. The standard of 45 yuan per 1,000 words is not low.

You know, "Wheat Straw Stack" contains 16 novellas by Jin Ying, with a total word count of nearly 290,000 words.

From such a comparison, you can see how amazing the remuneration standards of the Chinese Literature Society are.

Even though Jin Ying is now the deputy leader of the Cultural Association, it's hard not to be moved.

No matter how big an official you are, you still have to eat!

"Haha, I can't wait to do it! The more people come to me, the happier I am." Lin Weimin laughed loudly, in a good mood, and asked: "What's the matter? If you are really interested in this essay competition, you can give it a try. We The conditions are very relaxed.”

Jin Ying was moved after hearing this, and asked Lin Weimin about some of the hidden conditions for the "Buhu Series" essay collection.

As an old classmate, this benefit must be provided.

The "Bhuhu Series" has given a sky-high remuneration standard. To get the money back, it must sell well, so the works cannot be too highbrow and contain a little popular elements.

Of course, it is not good to be too popular. It is best if it can be appreciated by both refined and popular people.

After listening to Lin Weimin's words, Jin Ying asked with a smile: "Listen to what you said, I will just read your novel."

In the domestic literary circle, many people recognize Lin Weimin as the best writer who combines popularity with literature and artistry.

"Hehe, if you say that, when the review comes back, your work will be given priority." Lin Weimin joked.

"Just give priority to evaluation?"

"You just flatter me, what else do you want? Comrade Xiao Jin, you are also a cadre of D. Don't always think about these crooked things."

Lin Weimin's joke elicited a soft sigh from Jin Ying.

After a few jokes, Jin Ying told Lin Weimin seriously that she really wanted to try it.

She is now considered a well-known writer in China. She wants to participate in the essay collection of the "Buhu Book Series". This is naturally a good thing, and Lin Weimin is happy to agree.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Weimin walked in front of the window. He couldn't help but feel proud that "all the heroes in the world have fallen into the window".

Just looking down, he happened to see Lao Cheng, who was having a meeting outside, walking into the courtyard. His steps were quick, as if he was in a hurry.

Unexpectedly, less than a minute later, the office door was suddenly pushed open.

Lao Cheng held a newspaper in his hand, angry, trembling and helpless, "What's going on?"