The literary era since 1979

Chapter 23 National Excellent Short Story Award

Three days later, Lu Yao's letter was sent to Yenching Literature and Art.

Fangyan couldn't wait to open the envelope, read "A Thrilling Scene" carefully, and frowned.

"What's wrong? Did you find any good works?"

Wang Jie noticed that his expression became increasingly serious.

"Look at it."

Fangyan finally understood why this novel was rejected so frequently.

Wang Jie looked at it for a while and realized that the scale was too large and she couldn't handle it at all, so she immediately handed it to Ji Xiuying.

This aroused the curiosity of Li Yue and Huang Zhongguo.

"A Thrilling Scene" was circulated widely in the editorial department, and the reviews were surprisingly unanimous, indicating that the novel was indeed a good one.

But I am very confused about whether I can publish it.

Ji Xiuying asked Fang Yan and Wang Jie to invite Wang Meng and Zhou Yanru respectively. They were the editor-in-chief and editor-in-chief. They would have to make the final decision on whether "A Thrilling Scene" could be published.

"it is good."

Fangyan went to the editor-in-chief's office to invite Wang Meng, and the entire editorial department started a discussion around Lu Yao's novel.

“It’s completely different from the current mainstream literary direction.”

"Yes, the focus on that period is different from scar literature, which is positive but not completely positive. It is also different from reflective literature, which is intense but a little extreme."

"........."

Glancing at the people talking at once, Wang Meng said carefully:
"This work still has flaws. The biggest problem is that many places have traces of chiseling, which cannot be connected with the life of that period that many people experienced and are familiar with."

"I basically agree."

Zhou Yanru handed the manuscript back and said, "Yanzi, please write back to him and tell him that it is not suitable for publication in our company and please submit it elsewhere."

When Fangyan heard that his manuscript was going to be rejected, he tried to save it.

After all, he is one of the five tiger generals that I have selected!

"Oh, tell me what you think."

Wang Meng said with interest.

"I think it's precious because there hasn't been any work that reflects this before, and it's based on true events."

Fangyan is not afraid of the stage. "Although the processing is a bit rough, many details are written very realistically, and the language is also very simple, without any flashy meaning, which I think is rare."

As soon as these words came out, everyone was surprised.

Regardless of whether his comments are on point or not, just based on this insight, one can tell with a blind eye that he has the potential to be an editor.

I've only been an assistant editor for a few days, and this is my level!
What will happen in a few years?

"You said this is a true story, how do you know?"

Wang Meng keenly noticed the key point.

Fangyan recounted the story verbatim from how he met Lu Yao to the twists and turns of submitting his manuscript, even including the fact that if the manuscript was rejected by Yenching Literature and Art, Lu Yao would burn it.

"So you and your Lu Yao have known each other for a long time!"

Wang Jie suddenly realized.

Zhou Yanru and others did not think it was a big deal. The literary world had just revived and the entire literary community was united. As long as the work was good, they would help find a way out even if it could not be published in their own journals.

"'Shaanxi Army' is indeed a new literary force worth developing." Wang Meng looked at Fang Yan, "I didn't expect that you were already considering it for Yanjing Literature and Art before you even started working there."

"I stumbled upon it by accident."

Fangyan faced everyone's gaze and spoke modestly.

"However, although 'Shaan Jun' is worthy of development and I recognize the quality of Lu Yao and his novel, it still cannot be published."

Wang Meng explained that the current task of Yenching Literature and Art is to serve as a standard-bearer and promote the wave of reflective literature in the new year.

Fangyan nodded in understanding.

Just as the songs in a concept album all revolve around a theme, the same is sometimes true for literary journals. "A Thrilling Scene" obviously does not meet the definition of "reflection."

"We can't do it, but we can give it to Contemporary or October." Wang Meng suggested. "October?"

Fangyan knows "Contemporary", but has never heard of "October".

"It's normal that you don't know. October was only founded at the end of 77. It only has a book number, but the publication number has not been approved yet, so it can only be distributed within Yanjing, and it is a quarterly publication."

Wang Meng said: "Five issues have been published so far."

"What about submitting it to Contemporary Magazine?"

When Fangyan heard this, he immediately ruled out "October".

"That would be the best. If we can't even publish it in Contemporary China, then it's really not going to work."

Wang Meng thought again and again: "Leave the manuscript with me. I happen to be going to Contemporary these days. I will pass it to the editor-in-chief Qin Zhaoyang, who is a veteran in the editing field."

"I would like to thank Editor-in-Chief Wang on behalf of Lu Yao."

Fang Yan let out a sigh of relief, thinking that he had done the best he could.

The level of "Contemporary" is higher than that of "Yenching Literature and Art". If you can publish in "Contemporary", it will be a blessing in disguise.

"Lu Yao's matter is settled, let's talk about your matter now."

Wang Meng, Zhou Yanru and others looked at each other.

"I?"

Fangyan said in surprise.

Zhou Yanru smiled and said, "This year's national selection of outstanding short stories has already begun."

When Fang Yan heard that "The Shepherd" was recommended by "Yanjing Literature and Art" to the editorial department of "People's Literature", which is the organizer, he was surprised at first, but then he thought it was natural.

The literary trend set off by "The Horse Shepherd" across the country is still continuing. Various versions of the novel collection published by major publishing houses have included "The Horse Shepherd" in the 1979 short story anthology.

The National Excellent Short Story Award, as the first national literary award event held in contemporary times, has been regarded as a weather vane in the literary world since its establishment in 78. For example, the awards won by Mo Shen, Liu Xinwu and Lu Xinhua are an affirmation of the value of scar literature.

As the first person to popularize "reflective literature", how could he not be selected? The national publicity cannot be in vain!

"You and Zhang Jie's work has passed all the tests and has been selected by the selection committee. It is ranked very high, and The Horse Herder is even in the top five."

Wang Meng stretched out his palm with five fingers spread out.

"Top five!?"

Wang Jie's eyes sparkled. "Does that mean I will definitely win the prize?"

“I can only say that it is very likely.”

Wang Meng gave a meaningful smile.

"ah!"

When Wang Jie thought about the new writer she discovered who won the National Excellent Short Story Award right after his debut, his face flushed with excitement, "Did you hear that, Yanzi? There's a good chance he'll win!"

Seeing her even more excited than himself, Fang Yan raised a smile and asked, "Editor-in-Chief Wang, when will the results be announced?"

“Around mid-March.”

Wang Meng said: "There will also be an awards ceremony later. In addition to the leaders of the Writers Association, award presenters and colleagues in the literary world, film studios such as the Beijing Film Studio and the Bayi Film Studio will also come to compete for these award-winning works and have them adapted into movies."

"There's still this thing."

Fangyan raised his eyebrows.

"Has anyone from a film studio contacted you recently?"

Wang Meng looked at him with a hint of amusement.

"No."

Fangyan was also puzzled. He had already written the script, but after waiting for a long time, he still didn't receive any letter asking him to make a movie.

"That's because the film studio doesn't know your address. Several studios called me and said they were interested in The Horse Herder."

Wang Meng said: "I didn't get your consent, so I didn't reveal your address. Instead, I asked them to attend the award ceremony and talk to you in person."

“Thank you, Editor-in-Chief Wang!”

Fangyan was secretly excited, here it comes!
(End of this chapter)