1980 My Literary Era.

Chapter 549 Freelance Writer

In late July, after a massive special rectification campaign, the domestic book market experienced a wave of spring, and the sales of genuine books in bookstores increased significantly compared with the first half of the year.

Sales of some of these popular bestsellers are skyrocketing.

For example, Cheng Zhongshi's "White Deer Plain" published by Guowen Society was reprinted three or four times within three or four months of publication, and the total sales exceeded 50 copies.

There is also Wang Shuo's collection of novels "End to Die", which was published by Huayi Publishing House in February. By April, the first printing of 30 copies was sold out, and two additional printings of 40 copies were all sold out by the end of July. Light.

The sales volume of "No One Can Be Less", which was released last month, is even more exaggerated. Within a month after the first print of 50 copies was released, bookstores and post offices around the world rang up the phone calls of Guowen News Agency, and more than half of their stock had been sold. It looks like it will be sold out before mid-August, and I keep urging the Guowen Society to print it quickly.

The sales of "Not One Less" are so hot, apart from the excellent quality of the novel and the extensive discussion and attention it aroused within two months after its publication, there is also another very important reason, that is, there is actually a lot of people buying novels on the market. Less than a bootleg of this novel.

The colleagues of the Guowen Society were also shocked by the popularity of this novel in the market.

Playing a wave of piracy has such a miraculous effect, everyone has a feeling of dreaming back to 85 years ago.

At that time, there were pirated books in China, but they were very rare. Many literature lovers also sneered at pirated books.

However, with the soaring prices in recent years, the lives of ordinary people are tight, and many people have become more careful about spending money on reading books, which also gives space for the development and growth of pirated books.

In recent years, as pirated books have taken more and more market share, many publishers, including Guowenshe, have also felt the pressure.

There may be a difference of two or three cents between the genuine and pirated version of a book, but it prompts many readers to choose the pirated version.

Many publishing houses are not unaware of this problem, but they really have no room for profit.

Publishing houses have labor costs for every process of compiling a book, and they have to pay the writers for their manuscripts. It is impossible for genuine books to reduce the quality of printing and binding, so they can only watch piracy continue to erode the market.

Faced with such a situation, no one would have thought that a special campaign against piracy would lead to a headwind rise in the book market whose sales were constantly declining.

Colleagues in the editorial department chatted about the recent changes in the book market after work.

"Weimin has really done a great job for our publishing industry this time!" Liu Yin sighed.

"I heard that Du Shu's face turned green at that time." Yao Shuzhi gossiped.

Liu Yin's tone was ridiculed, and she said, "Suggesting to the deputy prime minister in front of him, can you not be green? If I were Du Shu, I would have to turn him into a polished commander!"

"It's hard for any leader to have a subordinate like him!" Zhu Changsheng said quietly.

There was a burst of cheerful laughter in the office.

It's okay to say bad things about the leader, this class will be interesting.

While everyone was talking, Wang Xiaobo came to the editorial office with a smile on his face.

"Xiaobo, are you here to deliver manuscripts? Why are you so happy?" colleagues asked him.

Wang Xiaobo shook his head, "I don't send manuscripts, I'm here today to say hello to you."

Everyone was curious and asked, "What's the good news?"

"Xiangjiang's publishing house plans to publish a collection of novels for me." Wang Xiaobo said with a happy face.

Everyone was very happy when they heard it, "This is a good thing!"

Everyone has seen Wang Xiaobo's works, and his style is unique. It is not easy for some works to be published, let alone published.

Several of his works were published in "Contemporary" before, and the response to the five "Stories of the Tang Dynasty" was very average. "Standing at Thirty" and "The Years Like Water" sent in the spring did not pass the editors' approval due to style problems. Reviewed the manuscript, and was recommended by Lin Weimin to "Xiangjiang Literature".

Wang Xiaobo was talking to everyone, and Lin Weimin came to the office to deliver the manuscripts. He said that Xiangjiang's publishing house would publish a collection of novels for him, and he was also happy for him.

Lin Weimin called Wang Xiaobo to the office and had a detailed chat.

"Speaking of which, I have to thank you. Without your recommendation, "Xiangjiang Literature" would not publish my work, and the publishing house would not publish my work."

"I told you that there is nothing wrong with the writing of your novel, but the style is a bit trendy. In two years, there will always be a time when you will shine."

Lin Weimin's encouragement strengthened Wang Xiaobo's confidence.

At this time, Lin Weimin said again: "By the way, the market has been good recently. Do you want to try publishing your few "Stories of the Tang Dynasty"?"

Wang Xiaobo smiled happily when he heard the words, "How many novels can be published?"

Lin Weimin nodded, "Those novels of yours received mediocre response, but they are better in their unique style. You can try to publish them, but the number of prints will definitely not be too many, so don't have too high expectations."

"It's fine if it can be published, it's fine if it can be published." Wang Xiaobo's teeth showed in his smile, "Mr. Lin, thank you so much."

Lin Weimin raised his hand and said with a smile, "Thank you for the recent market. Sales of all kinds of books are picking up, so the agency is willing to take advantage of this time to publish more books."

Wang Xiaobo looked at Lin Weimin, and when he mentioned this matter, it seemed that he had more to do with Mr. Lin.

In the past two months, there has been a lot of rumors in Yanjing about the fact that Lin Weimin bought his own fake book at a bookstall, and in a fit of anger found his deputy to report to the imperial court.

When everyone heard the news, they all sighed that Lin Weimin's hands and eyes were open to the sky, and no one doubted the authenticity of the news.

What kind of person is Mr. Lin?
What's so difficult about complaining to the deputy prime minister in a fit of anger?
With this in mind, Wang Xiaobo talked with Lin Weimin about the publication in detail.

This year, the government issued new regulations on remuneration for manuscripts, and the standard of remuneration paid by the Guowen Society is much higher than before. The basic remuneration is 35 yuan per thousand words. Because the print run is very low, the remuneration is only a few hundred yuan, and the total is added up. More than 9200 yuan.

Wang Xiaobo was delighted when he heard this figure. He was teaching at a university, and his salary was only 100 yuan a month. Including the manuscript fees published earlier, these "Stories of the Tang Dynasty" brought him more than 5000 yuan.

In addition to these manuscript fees, Wang Xiaobo, through Lin Weimin's recommendation, has published three works in "Xiangjiang Literature", "Golden Age", "Thirty Years", and "Like Water Flowing Years", and has received nearly [-] Hong Kong dollars in manuscript fees.

This time, Xiangjiang Prosperity Publishing House is going to publish the collection of novels for him. He pays the manuscript fee per word, and he can probably earn [-] Hong Kong dollars in manuscript fees.

Converting all manuscript fees into RMB, Wang Xiaobo has earned more than 5 yuan in manuscript fees through publishing and publishing his works in the past two years.

This figure was already a very large sum of money in 1990.

Thinking of the manuscript fees that will soon be paid to the publishers in the two places, Wang Xiaobo's heart is about to move, and he can no longer control the thoughts that have been brewing for many years.

"Mr. Lin!" Wang Xiaobo looked at Lin Weimin, with hope shining in his eyes.

"what happened?"

"You said, how about I resign and become a freelance writer?" Wang Xiaobo asked Lin Weimin expectantly.

Lin Weimin pondered for a moment, "Are you sure? Is it a whim, or did you plan to do it long ago?"

Wang Xiaobo replied truthfully: "I have had this idea for a long time. It's just that my works couldn't be published before, and I didn't dare to put it into action. Now it's different..."

Wang Xiaobo looked excited, "I am now publishing and getting more royalties than I have worked for 20 years. Qian Zhuang is so timid. I plan to try to see if I can do this kind of business."

Lin Weimin laughed, "With your current level of writing, it's definitely okay to do this kind of 'business'. The problem lies in your style. You have to think about it. If you maintain your current style, you may not be able to publish in a short time. work."

Wang Xiaobo nodded and said, "You're right, but I don't have a manuscript fee now..."

Speaking of this, Wang Xiaobo couldn't help but smile again, "The royalties I earn now are enough for me to write and not publish any works for ten years. I don't believe it. I won't be able to publish works for ten years."

"In less than ten years, domestic readers will gradually get to know you. By the way, have you discussed it with your family?" Lin Weimin asked.

"No. I told Yinhe about this idea before, but it was just a whimsical idea at the time. This time, Mr. Liu was the mediator for me to contact the publication. I got the news, and I came to the editorial department to report my happiness."

Lin Weimin warned: "When you go home, you must discuss it with your family members. You must devote yourself to writing career wholeheartedly. Without the support of your family members, you can't do it."

"Yes, I know."

"in addition……"

Lin Weimin hesitated for a while, and said, "Since it's a full-time job, you must pay attention to the balance between work and rest, and don't neglect your body..."

Lin Weimin told Wang Xiaobo about Lu Yao's example, feeling Lin Weimin's concern, Wang Xiaobo nodded heavily, "Thank you for your concern, I will definitely pay attention."

After leaving the editorial department of "Contemporary", when Wang Xiaobo returned home, his wife Li Yinhe was cooking.

He took Li Yinhe's hand and told her about the publication of novels in both places. Li Yinhe was in a daze.

"To be published?"

"Ah."

Li Yinhe seemed to need some time to digest the news, but Wang Xiaobo didn't give her time, and continued: "These publications and publishing fees add up to tens of thousands of yuan. I plan to resign and focus on writing. Do you agree? "

Her husband already had this idea, and Li Yinhe knew it.

When she was in the United States, she worked part-time to support him. Now that her husband's works can earn royalties, why should she disagree?
The next morning, Li Yinhe took Wang Xiaobo to the department to resign.

"Trouble for you!" After entering the door, Wang Xiaobo said this, and then smoked alone by himself without saying a word.

The rest was left to his wife Li Yinhe to explain to the head of the department for him.

After communicating for half an hour, the matter of resignation was successfully agreed, and the next step was to go through the formalities.

After leaving the department chair's office, Wang Xiaobo couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

He has never been good at interpersonal relationships, that is, he will feel more relaxed when he is with friends who are engaged in literature.

Wang Xiaobo thought of Lin Weimin whom he met yesterday, especially when chatting with Mr. Lin, he always felt extra relaxed and not restrained at all.

It's all right now, he's about to resign soon, and he won't have to worry about these useless things in the future.

(End of this chapter)