The literary era since 1979

Chapter 267: Reprint! Build momentum! Treat!
Random House, Office of the Editor-in-Chief.

Kate Quinning, the publishing director, knocked on the door in a hurry, her joy was beyond words: "Distributors in several cities have called to say that they are out of stock and need to reprint Saving Private Ryan."

"Saving Private Ryan again?"

Jason Epstein is both the editor-in-chief and the deputy general manager in charge of publishing and distribution. These days, he has been receiving calls from distributors urging Random House to restock its stocks.

"Yes, this novel has the potential to become a bestseller."

“How are sales and orders now?”

“Excellent!”

Kate Quinning said that "Saving Private Ryan" had been reprinted twice, 2 copies each time, plus the first print of 500 copies and 2000 copies distributed nationwide. So far, 3000 copies have been sold, and the sales volume is still rising rapidly.

"Give me the list."

Jason Epstein carefully studied the list of dealers. Queens in New York, Chinatown in San Francisco, San Gabriel in Los Angeles, etc. are basically areas where Chinese and overseas Chinese gather.

"I had someone do some research."

Kate Quinning pulled out a copy of the Chinese Express.

Jason Epstein took it and saw densely packed traditional Chinese characters. Although he couldn't understand a single word, it didn't stop him from making a judgment, "So, the main buyers of books now are Asians?"

Kate Quinning nodded and said, "The readers of this kind of Chinese newspaper are basically Chinese, covering many Chinese communities. Thanks to their vigorous publicity, the attention of Saving Private Ryan among Chinese readers has greatly increased, and sales have naturally opened up."

"That's really strange."

"What's so strange?"

"Why didn't these newspapers report Saving Private Ryan immediately when it was published?" Jason Epstein wondered, "Why did they suddenly promote Saving Private Ryan so aggressively after a month or two?"

"This newspaper has already told us the answer."

"is it?"

"I specifically looked for an Asian translator in the company who knows Chinese, and she said the author and translator had come to the United States in the past few days."

Kate Quinning smiled brightly.

“Are they in America now?”

Jason Epstein was very surprised. "It's not easy for Chinese writers to come to the United States. What is their purpose?"

Kate Quinning said, "They are here to participate in the international writing program. You should have heard of this program, right?"

"Of course!"

Jason Epstein was surprised, “I didn’t expect they would be invited to participate in this writing program at the University of Iowa.”

“This is a great thing for us.”

Kate Quinning said that Fangyan's identities as "famous Chinese writer", "famous Chinese young playwright", and "invitee of the international writing program" can be used as publicity gimmicks for "Saving Private Ryan". Chinese Americans and readers who are yearning for China are all potential buyers of this novel.

“And the associations and veterans from World War II.”

Jason Epstein added.

Kate Quinning readily agreed, and every year Random House sends a list of recommended military-themed novels to veterans associations, veterans clubs and other organizations in each state.

"Saving Private Ryan" will also be on this year's list.

Thinking of this, he said, "We should discuss how many copies of this novel should be printed."

"Maybe we should take a chance."

Jason Epstein pondered for a moment and reported 10,000 copies.

"Ten thousand copies?" Kate Quinning was surprised. "That's too many. What if they can't be sold out?"

Jason Epstein shook his head and said, "Based on the quality of the novel and its sales, 10,000 copies is not the limit. What we need to consider now is how to fully tap the value of this book."

Kate Quinning proposed to promote "Saving Private Ryan", and Random House had a complete set of strategies and routines for hype.

For example, ask media such as The New York Times to write book reviews.

"Besides these, I have another idea."

Jason Epstein said that in a while, the annual meeting of the American Library Association will be held.

"You want to have Saving Private Ryan appear at the American Library Association's annual meeting and be shortlisted for some kind of list?"

Kate Quinning understood.

This annual meeting is the pinnacle of the American book industry. "Don't you think this book deserves a nomination?"

Jason Epstein smiled.

"Of course it's worth it!"

Kate Quinning smiled knowingly, "Based on the quality alone, I think I have a 70% to 80% chance of being shortlisted. But if you want to win the award, you must have a strong recommendation from an authority in the book industry, such as you, the first winner of the National Book Award."

“That depends on whether it’s worth it.”

Jason Epstein thought about inviting Fangyan to visit New York before sending out invitations to the Library Association's annual conference and exhibition.

"But no matter what, as long as the novel is on the shortlist for the National Book Awards, it is almost certain to be a bestseller."

Kate Quinning said: "So I think we are being too conservative? Printing an extra 10,000 copies seems too little!"

"Hahaha!"

In an instant, bursts of laughter broke out.

In this way, the extra 10,000 copies of "Saving Private Ryan" were quickly replenished, and at the same time, they began to be slowly distributed to the Midwest.

Especially the red states in the south, which are not only the traditional vote bank and territory of the Elephant Party, but also the areas with the largest number of World War II veterans.

The author of the novel, Fangyan, changed planes all the way and finally arrived in Iowa City, Iowa, but it still took more than half an hour to take a bus from the airport to the University of Iowa.

As soon as they got off the station, everyone came to the gate of the University of Iowa with bags in their hands. They saw Nie Hualing wearing a cheongsam, glasses, and slightly curly hair. She looked graceful, dignified, and intellectual.

"Paul asked me to apologize to you. He has classes this afternoon and can't come to greet you."

"You're welcome. You're very welcome."

Xiao Qian raised his hand and then introduced the dialect to her.

Nie Hualing looked at Shen Yanbing's disciple and said in surprise: "I thought you would be young, but I didn't expect you to be this young."

Fangyan smiled and expressed her gratitude for being invited to participate in the international writing program. She then introduced Bai Ruoxue, Wang Anyi, Pan Yaoming and others to her. They got to know each other.

After a few brief greetings, Nie Hualing led his group to the "Mayflower" apartment where they would live for the next few months.

As soon as the receptionist met them, he gave Fang Yan and the others a lot of information, such as room number, mailbox number...

For example, which day of the week is the garbage collection day, which night of the week is the movie, and how many coins are needed to use the washing machine.

Because the number of rooms is limited, two people share a room.

Fang Yan and Pan Yaoming shared a room, Ru Zhijuan and Wang Anyi and her daughter shared a room, and Bai Ruoxue was arranged to share a room with a female writer from Hong Kong. The kitchen, bathroom, and study were all shared.

You also need to cook three meals a day by yourself.

Fortunately, there is an Asian new goods store nearby where I can go to do some shopping.

"Every week, someone drives you to the supermarket, the Asian grocery store, to buy food, to buy the necessities of life."

Nie Hualing spoke patiently, covering every detail.

Fangyan opened the refrigerator and found it was empty.

"You can go shopping tomorrow morning."

Nie Hualing said that the International Writing Program will give each person an allowance of approximately US$1800, which is equivalent to three months of living expenses.

"As for dinner..."

Pan Yaoming and others looked at each other.

"Of course, come to my house. We will treat you well."

Nie Hualing said that her home was on the hillside of a mountain behind the "Mayflower" apartment, which was quite close.

Fang Yan said: "Then we won't be polite."

"You're welcome, don't be polite."

Nie Hualing waved her hand and said, "I will be more partial to Chinese writers and take better care of them. You can rest assured in the days ahead. You will definitely be happy."

Then he said kindly, "Now that everything is almost ready, let's go. I've invited writers from Taiwan to dinner tonight."

"Treasure Island?!"

Fang Yan and Bai Ruoxue looked at each other, seeming to be thinking about something.

(End of this chapter)