Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 303 Someone "complained"

Wang Meng has now resigned from the post of editor-in-chief of "People's Literature" magazine and been promoted to minister. He had a busy day at work, but he did not give up reading and writing. He used his spare time to complete the novella "The Legend of Famous Doctor Liang Youzhi".

This novel later won the National Legend Literature Award and was rated as an outstanding novella by "Selected Novellas".

At the same time, he must read every issue of major national magazines such as "People's Literature", "Yenjing Youth", "Contemporary" and "Harvest", including "Yanhe".

On the one hand, it provides ideas for one's own creation, and on the other hand, it also studies new trends and new trends in current literary works.

As a minister, that's what I'm in charge of.

But I took out this copy of "Yanhe" today because Liu Xingwu, who succeeded him as editor-in-chief of "People's Literature", came to visit him.

Liu Xingwu, 54, is also a famous writer in the domestic literary world. He published the short story "Class Teacher" in 1977, which is regarded as the beginning of scar literature.

The novel "The Bell and Drum Tower" he created won the second Mao Dun Literature Award together with Fang Minghua's "Crossing Guandong" in 85.

Liu Xingwu also had great ambitions after becoming the editor-in-chief. He wanted to continue to maintain the glory of "People's Literature", so it was normal for him to come to visit his predecessor and the old leader.

Wang Meng could not comment on Liu Xingwu's evaluation of the publication of the advertisement in the magazine, but he did not comment much.

"Yes! But what Fang Minghua did is too unethical!"

"Is this happening?" Wang Meng was also surprised when he heard this: "Xingwu, how did you know?"

"what happened?"

"Hey, Minister Wang, before you left, didn't you ask me to pay attention to a writer named Mo Yan? He is the one who wrote "Transparent Carrot". A few days ago, I sent an editor to contact him personally to see if there was anything good recently. However, Mo Yan said that he was sorry because he had signed some great agreement with "Yanhe" and could not submit articles to other magazines, so I didn't know about it! "

"Xingwu, I'm very interested in the novel they published on the front page." Wang Meng turned to the magazine editor's recommendation column, and it was Ge Fei's "Remembering Mr. Wu You".

There were also Liu Sola and Can Xue who first published articles in "People's Literature" and became famous, but this time they were snatched away by Fang Minghua!

The two were talking about starting a magazine, and Wang Meng took out this newly revised version of "Yanhe".

"Is this really happening? Who else besides Mo Yan?" Wang Meng was very interested.

"On behalf of their "Yanhe" magazine, he actually signed an "outstanding writer cooperation agreement" with several young writers, giving many preferential policies, but the condition was that all short and medium-sized novels within eight years must be published by their magazine. Isn't this a contract of sale? "

Wang Meng nodded and said: "I read a piece of news in Guangming Daily, saying that Yanhe magazine held a symposium on literary creation of young and middle-aged writers in Xijing in early May. The standards were quite high, and the invitations There are several young writers, and one of them is Ge Fei?”

Advertising in serious literature is still a very sensitive matter nowadays, and it is very controversial in society. Now that I am in a high position, I have to be cautious in everything I say and do.

Liu Xingwu took a look and immediately said: "Minister Wang, this is a fire caused by Fang Minghua's competition for the appointment of editor-in-chief. The cover paper has been changed to look a bit more fashionable, but it actually publishes an advertisement! "Yanhe" is also a national-level old publication, why? Becoming as tacky as a pop magazine?”

Thinking of this, Liu Xingwu became angry.

"I've also read this novel. It's really well written. I didn't expect it to be written by a 21-year-old young man." Liu Xingwu was also full of praise. "If the novels published by this young man named Ge Fei can maintain this level in the future, he will also be a rising star in the literary world."

"Later I learned through Mo Yan that in addition to Mo Yan, there was this Ge Fei, and there were also Su Tong, Yu Hua, Liu Sola, Ma Yuan, Tie Nuan... a dozen writers!"

Wang Meng had heard of these names, such as Liu Sola, Ma Yuan, Mo Yan, Tie Nuan, and some had never heard of them, such as Yu Hua, Gao Jianqun, and Ge Fei. But he was also secretly surprised.

It sounds like the first novel of Ge Fei, whose name I have never heard of, is so exciting and has absolutely unlimited potential. "This Fang Minghua is very good at what he does. He wants to get all the new domestic writers to join their "Yanhe"!" Wang Meng said with a smile.

"That's right! So, Minister Wang, you have to stop him from doing this! What he does violates fair competition!" Liu Xingwu took the opportunity to suggest.

"Fair competition?" Wang Meng's expression became serious, "Xingwu, they made this great agreement, have you read the content of the agreement?"

"I haven't seen it, but the editor I sent has seen it, and the conditions are indeed very favorable."

"Have you violated any relevant national laws, regulations and policies?"

"It seems not." Liu Xingwu also told the truth.

"Then how do you want me to stop it? Use a red-headed document? It's against the rules. The country now advocates the rule of law." Wang Meng explained.

"Xingwu, although Fang Minghua made that great appointment and attracted more than a dozen rising stars in the literary world, there are more than a dozen young writers in our country, right? There must be more! Moreover, as an editor, a very important job is to Discovering new people is like Fang Minghua discovering Ge Fei!" Wang Meng's expression became serious.

"On this point, Xingwu, as the editor-in-chief, you should learn from Fang Minghua. Last year, the article "You Have No Choice" written by Liu Sola caused a sensation when it was published in our "People's Literature". In fact, I heard Liu Sola himself said that this novel was originally sent to It was given to Fang Minghua. Fang Minghua was full of praise after reading it and strongly suggested that "Yanhe" magazine should publish it. However, he was the deputy editor in charge of poetry at the time and his words did not count. Later, it was he who suggested Liu Sola to submit it to our "People's Literature", which was regarded as letting us. Got a bargain."

After hearing Wang Meng's words, Liu Xingwu was secretly surprised.

There are still such twists and turns. This Fang Minghua has a really good eye for recognizing people.

"Xingwu, you don't have to worry. After all, our "People's Literature" is a state journal and our editorial power is much stronger than theirs. Moreover, we are located in Yanjing and have advantages over their "Yanhe", which is located in a corner." Wang Meng comforted road.

"You have a very important job: to pay close attention to new trends in literary creation, and to be a trendsetter who leads literary trends, rather than a follower! This is especially important as the editor-in-chief of "People's Literature"!"

"Minister Wang, I will definitely do what you say!" Liu Xingwu immediately expressed his stance.

"Well, I'm very optimistic about you too."

But what Wang Meng didn't expect was that maybe he was too eager to lead the contemporary literary trend and tried too hard. A year later, "People's Literature" published a novel written by an author named Ma Jian, which violated ethnic policies. As the editor-in-chief, Liu Xingwu took responsibility and was suspended for inspection.
At this time, Fang Minghua did not expect that Liu Xingwu would go to Wang Meng to "complain". He was still thinking about how to make "Yanhe" magazine glorious as soon as possible.

Magazine content is king, but that doesn’t mean other things aren’t considered.

As "Yanhe", a big disadvantage is that its geographical location is somewhat remote. Xijing is located in the northwest, and its economic strength and reading population cannot be compared with large cities such as Yanjing and Shencheng.

Gotta get out.

Should we go to Shanghai and Yanjing to talk to the local Xinhua Bookstore managers and ask them to buy more books?
In addition to reader subscriptions at the end of the year, Xinhua Bookstore sales are the main channel at this stage.

Also, can "Yanhe" be advertised in major domestic media such as "People's Daily"? Readers are welcome to subscribe.

These are all things he needs to consider as an editor-in-chief.

How about calling Bai Miao and the others over tomorrow morning and having a meeting to discuss and brainstorm?
But something suddenly happened at home, which made him a little confused.

Song Tangtang is pregnant.

(End of this chapter)