The literary era since 1979

Chapter 277 Spielberg

As early as 81, the first national foundation, the China Children and Teenagers Foundation, was established in China. Since then, foundations have sprung up one after another.

For example, the Disabled Persons Welfare Foundation.

Therefore, if Fangyan established a cultural and educational foundation, it would not be considered a "decision that goes against ancestors."

However, domestic and foreign foundations are different.

According to Old Mike, the tax deduction rate for charitable foundations in the United States can be as high as 50%, while the upper limit for private foundations is only 30%.

But no matter what, it is a small loss and a big profit. After all, as long as you take out 5% of your income, the remaining 95% can enjoy tax reduction.

Fangyan and Old Mike discussed for a long time and came up with a preliminary plan.

That is to promote the establishment of an exchange program between the Mao Dun Literature Prize and the International Writing Program, select one or two Mao Dun Literature Prize writers every year to participate in the "International Writing Program", which will be fully funded by Fangyan's Cultural and Educational Foundation, and even provide a small living allowance every month.

And as Shen Yanbing's last disciple, it is perfectly legitimate for him to do such things!
By then, the value and popularity of the Mao Dun Literature Prize and the International Writing Program can be completely enhanced at home and abroad!

In this way, General Fang can avoid taxes and invest, and at the same time make many good friends all over the world. It is really like killing two birds with one stone.

However, the specific details and articles of association must first wait until the offshore company in the Cayman Islands is registered.

"I can help you with this matter, but it would be best to have a legal advisor for the operation of the foundation."

Old Mike drove the Ford and glanced at Fangyan, "I can recommend you one."

"Who?"

Fang Yan casually glanced at the rearview mirror, which reflected Bai Ruoxue and Mike in the rear driver's seat.

"My daughter, Rodaine."

Old Mike smiled and said, "I do have selfish motives in recommending her, but believe me, she is definitely capable of doing the job."

"I heard that lawyers in the United States are very expensive and charge by the hour." Fangyan heard the hidden meaning in the words and realized that the father was secretly getting work for his daughter.

"The cost of consulting her will be one-third or even one-quarter of that of a male lawyer in a big law firm."

Old Mike shook his head helplessly. Nowadays, female lawyers have very low income and status in law firms.

Fang Yan said noncommittally: "Would you like to find an opportunity to talk to her?"

"of course can!"

Mike Sr. suggested, “As for secretarial work, I think we could set up a work-study program.”

Fangyan was very surprised, and after asking, he found out that many Chinese students in the United States rely on working to earn their tuition and living expenses.

Even prestigious schools like the University of San Francisco, UC Berkeley, and Stanford University.

Instead of hiring directly from the foundation, it would be better to provide funding in the name of work-study programs.

It not only allows college students from prestigious universities to work, but also counts their wages toward the foundation's 5% donation.

He really is worthy of being an old-fashioned capitalist in America. He is so good at calculating!
"When we establish the foundation, we will put a job advertisement in the newspaper. I believe many international students will rush to sign up."

There was a shrewd look in Old Mike's eyes.

"It's indeed a good idea."

Fangyan thought about it seriously.

After all, the job of a foundation secretary is not complicated.

Old Mike smiled and said, "If Bai is willing to study in the United States, you can also use this method. Maybe when she is familiar with the operation of the foundation, you can ask her to help you manage it."

Bai Ruoxue's eyes lit up, and she saw Fang Yan turn his head and say, "You look at me, and I look at you."

"Ruoxue, what do you think?"

"Teacher Fang, I want to give it a try. Although I know nothing about the foundation now, I will try my best!"

………………

When we arrived at the New York Public Library, there was still more than half an hour before the American Library Association's annual meeting.

In front of the library, there are two stone lions lying down, called "Lion of Astor" and "Lion of Lenox".

Fangyan and his group showed the invitation letter to the security personnel and then walked into the spacious lobby.

Every year, this exhibition is extremely lively and grand, bringing together educational companies, publishing houses, public libraries, school libraries, and many famous authors, illustrators, publishers, editors, and book industry practitioners from all over the United States.

"Hey!"

Jason Epstein, sitting in the front row, waved.

Fangyan was wearing a Zhongshan suit and walking with big strides.

"Let me introduce you to Allen Ginsberg, a judge on this year's Translation Award panel."

Jason Epstein introduced everyone around him one by one.

Either they are the judges of this year's competition or the leaders of Random House.

He spoke politely to them in dialect.

Mike looked at the representative writers of the "Beat Generation" in front of him and was so nervous that his whole body froze and he couldn't utter a word.

Bai Ruoxue gently pushed him and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

"I, I...I'm going to go drink some water."

Mike felt his throat dry and hurried to the long table where snacks and drinks were placed.

In my sight, I inadvertently noticed a chubby fat man standing alone, with a look of frustration on his face.

So he took the initiative to say hello and introduce himself.

"Hello, my name is George Martin, just call me Martin."

George Martin adjusted his glasses. "You are George Martin!"

"The Martin who wrote Lyanna's Ballad!"

Mike was surprised and delighted. He didn't expect to meet his favorite science fiction and fantasy writers here.

"haha, yes."

George Martin smiled bitterly and sighed.

"You look unhappy."

Seeing that he refused to say anything, Mike was puzzled.

Bringing back what he saw and heard, Fangyan couldn't help but be surprised. Isn't that the old Martin who wrote "A Song of Ice and Fire"!

Jason Epstein laughed and said that George R.R. Martin had a setback this year. The sales of his fourth novel, "Hymn of Doom," were unexpectedly poor. The commercial failure basically announced the end of his career as a novelist.

“I didn’t expect the American publishing industry to be so cruel!”

Bai Ruoxue and Mike looked at each other and couldn't help sighing.

Fangyan half-jokingly asked, "If I can't write a bestseller in the future, will I end up like him?"

"Maybe."

Jason Epstein smiled and said, "But at least now, you are successful."

Not long after these words were spoken, the American Library Association's annual meeting and awards ceremony officially began.

The winner of each category of the National Book Award will receive a prize of US$10,000 after tax and a bronze statue.

Even if they are not selected, anyone who is nominated can receive one thousand US dollars and a medal.

"Saving Private Ryan", as expected, did not encounter any surprises and won two major awards at once amid exclamations.

Translation Award!
Award for first novel!

When the presenter announced the final result and when Chinese faces appeared on the award stage twice, the whole audience was shocked for a moment.

All the media present, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, focused their cameras on him.

In particular, reporters from Chinese newspapers such as "Zhong Bao" and "Hua Yu Kuai Bao" were so excited that their faces turned red.

Fang Yan and his "Saving Private Ryan" are the first Chinese writers in the world to receive this honor!

He is also the third Chinese writer to appear on the US bestseller list, following Lin Yutang in the 30s and Li Jinyang in the 40s! It took nearly 40 years!

Moreover, he is the youngest double award winner since the founding of the National Book Award!
With so many gimmicks worth hyping, Random House will naturally not miss it and will go full throttle.

Not only did they ask their long-term newspaper media to promote the event, but they also arranged for Fangyan to be interviewed by CNN.

This recorded interview was specially broadcast a week before the anniversary of the Normandy Landings to coincide with Fangyan's upcoming speaking engagements and reader meetings in various states.

With a series of publicity and marketing, the sales of "Saving Private Ryan" finally exploded across the United States.

Especially on the anniversary of the Normandy Landing, sales reached a peak so far! Total sales exceeded 10!
Los Angeles, California.

Arnold Spielberg sat on the sofa, quietly flipping through "Saving Private Ryan".

Just then, the doorbell rang again and again.

When the babysitter opened the door, Arnold Spielberg turned around and said in surprise: "Steven?!"

"Hi, Father!"

The father and son exchanged pleasantries for a while, and Steven Spielberg said, "I just came to tell you that I'm going on a long trip in a few days."

Arnold Spielberg asked, "Is it the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade?"

Steven Spielberg said yes again and again.

"Lucas and I are going to the East to shoot."

"East?"

Arnold Spielberg said that when he was a soldier in World War II, he went to the East and stayed in India and Burma.

"No, no, we are not going to India or Myanmar this time. We are going to Macao."

Steven Spielberg shook his head and said, "If the procedures to go to Hong Kong were not too complicated, we would have planned to go to Hong Kong."

With his help, Arnold Spielberg sat back on the sofa.

Steven Spielberg glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw the copy of Saving Private Ryan on the table.

"This book is well-written, and it was written by a Chinese writer."

Arnold Spielberg said: "He gave a special speech at our foundation a few days ago, and it was also very good."

Steven Spielberg is well aware of this, as his father is the technical advisor to the Shaw Foundation.

The foundation is funded by Jewish tycoons and specializes in collecting testimonies and evidence from survivors of the Holocaust.

"A Chinese person writes about the American military during World War II?"

Steven Spielberg was surprised and felt fresh.

“It’s well worth a look.”

Arnold Spielberg was full of praise.

Steven Spielberg glanced at the waistband, which read "This book won the 1983 National Book Award for Translated Works and the First Novel Award," and became more and more interested.

"Then I'll buy one too and read it on the plane."

(End of this chapter)