Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 548: The Literary Award Judges

Two days later, Fang Minghua boarded the train to Yanjing. When he arrived in Yanjing, he still lived in the home of Song Tangtang's grandfather in the General Political Department compound.

My grandfather is over 80 years old this year, with white hair and beard, but his back is still very straight and he is in good spirits. He is watering the flowers in the yard with a kettle. When he heard Fang Minghua say that the purpose of coming to Yenching this time was to establish a literary award, he immediately said "yes" several times!
"That's right. We Chinese translate our works into foreign languages ​​and submit them to foreign countries for awards. Why can't foreigners translate their works into Chinese and submit them to our country for awards?! I have long said that the Mao Dun Prize should not be limited to works from our country, but should also allow foreigners to submit. Even if there are no foreign works, we should also allow works from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan to submit the awards, as they are all Chinese."

My grandmother was knitting a sweater on a bamboo chair wearing reading glasses. When she heard what my grandfather said, she retorted: "The Mao Dun Prize doesn't say that it won't reject works by writers from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan."

"But, have any works won awards? Have any works been submitted for the competition? No, right? Look at those judges, they are all mainland scholars and writers. How can that be? At least a few scholars from Hong Kong and Taiwan should be invited to participate? That would be more comprehensive!"

"Grandpa, my initial idea is that the members of the jury should include famous writers and scholars from Hong Kong and Taiwan," Fang Minghua quickly added.

"Look, my grandson-in-law is generous and has vision! Although I don't understand literature, the country advocates a hundred schools of thought and a hundred flowers blooming. Don't worry about rejecting others just because their ideas and opinions are different from yours. There is a saying called a gentleman and Xiaohua. What is a gentleman and?"

Grandpa turned around and asked Fang Minghua.

"A gentleman is harmonious but different." Fang Minghua said quickly.

"Yes, yes, that's it." Grandpa smiled and said, "Xiaohua still reads a lot."

"You" grandma looked at grandpa and said angrily.

Why do you favor this grandson-in-law so much?

But this grandson-in-law is indeed capable, and Tangtang has found the right person.

Fang Minghua stayed in the General Political Department compound for one night and went to the Chinese Writers Association early the next morning.

The office of the Writers Association is still located at No. 10, Nanli, Agricultural Exhibition Hall, East Third Ring Road. Minghua often comes here, so he is familiar with the place and goes straight to Wang Meng's office.

Of course, don’t forget to bring some dog-head dates.

After Wang Meng retired from the position of minister, she still serves as vice chairman of the Writers Association. Although she is over 60 years old, she is still full of energy.

Now that I am no longer a minister, I have more free time and am currently working on the first part of the novel “Seasons Quartet”, “The Season of Love”.

Wang Meng was sitting behind his desk, reading documents with his reading glasses on. When he saw Fang Minghua knocking on the door, a smile appeared on his face.

"Xiao Fang, it's you. Come, sit down, sit down." After saying that, he stood up and greeted him.

"I'll get you some water."

"You're welcome, Chairman Wang. I'll do it myself."

Since they were already familiar with each other, Fang Minghua didn't hesitate and picked up the thermos to pour himself a cup of tea.

Then he picked up the dog-head dates in the bag.

"Chairman Wang, I brought this from Xijing, please try it.

"Oh, you know I love this." Wang Meng was not polite. She took one out of the plastic bag, wiped it and put it directly into her mouth.

"Yes, yes, is he from Qinbei Yanchuan?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Then I won't be polite." Wang Meng said as he accepted the bag of dog-head dates.

The two chatted for a few words before getting down to business.

Wang Meng said, "Xiao Fang, our leadership team has studied the report submitted by your provincial writers' association and in principle agrees to establish this literary award. Of course, everything depends on you. If you want to do it, do it well."

"Don't worry about that." Fang Minghua quickly said, "Chairman Wang, I would like to invite you to be the chairman of the jury."

"Me? I'm afraid I don't have enough experience." Wang Meng was very humble: "I think you'd better ask Mr. Ba."

"Chairman Wang, regardless of your status, qualifications, and literary achievements, you are fully qualified for this job." Fang Minghua explained, "Mr. Ba is old and in poor health. I'm afraid he is unwilling to do this job. In the third Mao Dun Literature Prize that just ended, Mr. Ba did not serve as the chairman of the jury."

Wang Meng nodded after hearing this, it was indeed the case.

Palladium served as the chairman of the Mao Dun Prize Jury for two consecutive terms, but did not serve for the third term.

"However, I would like to invite Mr. Palladium to serve as the honorary chairman of the literature award jury, and you to serve as the chairman of the jury. After the matter in Yanjing is over, I plan to go to Shanghai to visit Mr. Palladium." Minghua expressed his opinion. "You are a very comprehensive guy, haha." Wang Meng laughed: "Okay, I will obey your order."

"This is the list of the first jury members I have drafted, as well as the reading class members - just like the Mao Prize, please take a look. If there is anything wrong, please point it out."

The so-called reading class is an external organization for the Mao Prize selection, mainly composed of young and middle-aged critics, all of whom are professionals from various literary institutions and colleges and universities. They are responsible for screening all the books that have been confirmed for the selection, and then further narrowing the selection range.

Of course, the list of readers drawn up by Fang Minghua is not limited to critics, but also includes some writers.

According to Fang Minghua's initial idea, the number of jury members will be around 10-12.

The members of the reading class are divided into two groups: novel group and poetry and prose group. The novel group has about 25-30 members, and the poetry and prose group has about 15-20 members. This can ensure the quality of the shortlist of candidate works to the greatest extent.

Wang Meng put on her reading glasses and looked at it carefully.

"Oh my. You actually invited famous writers from Hong Kong and Taiwan? And Mr. Qian? It's not easy to invite Mr. Qian."

"Everything depends on human efforts." Fang Minghua said with a smile.

"As for the four scholars from Hong Kong and Taiwan, I know Chen Yingzhen and Liu Yichang. I heard that Chen Yingzhen is now in Yenching University, so I will visit him directly."

"Do you know Chen Yingzhen?"

"In 87, the Writers Association sent Ruan Zhangjing, chairman of the Yenching Writers Association, and me to Hong Kong to attend the establishment of the Hong Kong Writers Association on behalf of the Chinese Writers Association. At that time, Chen Yingzhen also came to Hong Kong to attend the ceremony on behalf of the Taiwan Writers Association. We had a very pleasant chat, and I also met Liu Yichang."

"Haha. That's good. Do you know Chen Yingzhen's address?" Wang Meng asked curiously.

"I don't know much about it, but Wang Anyi in Shanghai knows about it. They went to the United States together in 85 to participate in the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa, and they also exchanged letters. I called Wang Anyi and he is now in Yenching."

"Xiao Fang, you have a wide range of contacts."

"It's okay."

In fact, Fang Minghua’s social circle is not that wide, he just knows more writers.

"Chairman Wang, I plan to send a formal invitation letter to all members of the jury and reading class members in the name of our Qin Province Writers Association. I would also like to ask you to send one in the name of the chairman of the jury at the same time." Fang Minghua said again.

"No problem." Wang Meng agreed readily: "Some of these people are close to me personally, and I can call them. Also, leave this list with me first, and I'll think about it."

"Ok."

"In addition, here is another document."

Fang Minghua said as he took out another piece of paper from his briefcase and handed it to the other party.

It turns out that what was written above was the prize money for the winning works and the subsidies for the judges and reading class members.

All judges participating in the selection will receive a subsidy of 8000 yuan each, in addition to reimbursement of round-trip transportation, food and accommodation for attending the review meeting, and each member of the reading class will receive a subsidy of 5000 yuan!
When Wang Meng saw the number, her eyes lit up.

Although it is said that scholars are ashamed to talk about profit, times have changed after all.

He may not want it, but others may not.

In an era when the average salary is only a few hundred yuan, this is equivalent to two or even one year's salary!

"Xiao Fang, you are so generous, haha." Wang Meng laughed.

"Since we have invited high-level experts and scholars, it is reasonable to give them a higher subsidy." Fang Minghua smiled and said, "I have always believed that knowledge has a price."

"Well, after doing this, I feel more confident, haha."

After saying goodbye to Wang Meng, Fang Minghua came out of the Writers Association building feeling relaxed.

When it comes to establishing a literary award, funding is only one aspect. Without an authoritative and universally recognized jury, how can we ensure the quality of the works?

What's more, your review may not be recognized by the majority of readers.

After reporting to Wang Meng, Fang Minghua went to Chen Yingzhen first according to the plan.

(End of this chapter)