The literary era since 1979

Chapter 328: Revitalizing Science Fiction Literature
"Teacher Fang, this is it!"

Yang Xiao's eyes widened and he took "The Ring" from Fang Yan with trembling hands.

Yao Haijun couldn't wait to flip through the book, and asked in surprise and confusion: "Why is it in Japanese?!"

Fang Yan said, "Because this book was first published in Japan, it has been out for almost a month."

"Oh my god! It's even released overseas!"

When these words were spoken, everyone present was shocked, and all eyes were fixed on the Chinese version of the manuscript in Yang Xiao's hand.

"If you want to see it, take it and have a look first."

As soon as Yang Xiao handed it out, everyone rushed to grab it and passed it around. Everyone wanted to be the first to read the novel that was causing a sensation in Japan!
Zhu Lin looked at it eagerly, and his heart was itching, as if there were hundreds of dialects crawling up and down, he really wanted to see it...

"Teacher Fang, I really don't know how to thank you."

Yang Xiao was very excited. With the publication of "The Ring", it was entirely predictable how popular this issue of the magazine would be.

We can’t say that it has brought Science Fiction Literature back to its former glory, but at least it has helped to revive the journal!

"Revitalizing Science Fiction Literature and Art is only the first step in revitalizing science fiction literature." Fang Yan said seriously, "If we want to completely revitalize science fiction literature, there is still a long way to go."

Yang Xiao nodded excitedly: "Yes, yes, you are absolutely right!"

“The second step is right here.”

Fangyan took out a stack of newspapers and the translations prepared by Suzuki Yoko and Hashimoto Yui from his briefcase.

"This is……"

Yang Xiao looked at the Japanese newspapers with a confused look on his face.

"These newspapers all have news and reviews about The Ring." Fang Yan said, "I asked international students to translate those manuscripts for you. You can take a look at them."

Zhu Lin was very interested and asked for a few copies of the Yomiuri Shimbun and its translation. It was clearly written on them:

“The Ring, a science fiction masterpiece misunderstood as a horror novel!”

“This is an innovative work of science fiction literature that perfectly blends Eastern horror with scientific fantasy. It’s simply a fantastic work!”

"Don't be fooled by the title of The Ring. It's a sci-fi masterpiece disguised as a horror film!"

"Another masterpiece from the newly-crowned Ryunosuke Akutagawa Prize winner, with sales exceeding one million copies."

"........."

Looking at the headlines that were more outrageous than the last, Yang Xiao was instantly shocked and his voice was trembling.

"Teacher Fang, your book The Ring has sold one million copies in Japan?"

"The two volumes sold just over 100 million copies in total."

Fangyan raised his hand and acted a little Versailles.

"Just?!"

Yang Xiao, Yao Haijun and others were stunned, their pupils trembled, and their eyes were filled with burning fire.

If the sales volume of "Science Fiction Literature" can reach the level of "The Ring", even if it is only half of it, it will be a leap from an average of 600 copies per month to 50 copies. This is no longer riding a helicopter, but riding a rocket to the moon!

Teacher Fang, please take us for a try!

"When the time comes, pick some from them and add them to this issue of Science Fiction Literature and Art."

Fang Yan said, "There are still some left. We can give them to Sichuan newspapers to reprint, or we can let them serialize "The Ring"."

"Good idea! Good idea, Mr. Fang!"

Everyone's eyes lit up and they praised the performance highly.

Yang Xiao volunteered, "Teacher Fang, let us handle this matter."

"I originally had some, but I plan to hand them over to national literary newspapers such as Literary Gazette and Literature Newspaper."

Fangyan looked around and said, "If we can create a nationwide sensation, then the fire of science fiction literature should be ignited, right?"

"More than able!"

Yao Haijun was astonished. "Our Science Fiction Literature and Art magazine is saved! Our science fiction literature is saved too!"

"Not enough. I'm afraid we need to walk a few more steps."

Seeing Fang Yan holding up three fingers, Zhu Lin's eyes sparkled, and he listened quietly to him saying the third step.

That is to establish the first national literary award specifically for science fiction novels in the name of Science Fiction Literature and Art Publishing House! "National Science Fiction Novel Award?"

Everyone looked at each other in surprise; they had never expected Teacher Fang to take such a big step!

"That's right, science fiction is an 'imported product'. If we want to develop science fiction in China, we must create momentum for it."

Fang Yan said: "Internationally, we have the World Science Fiction Convention, the Nebula Award and the Hugo Award, the two 'Nobel Prizes in science fiction literature'. So, we must also have the 'Mao Dun Literature Award' specifically for Chinese science fiction literature."

"That being said, Mr. Fang, organizing the literature award requires funding." Yao Haijun was in a dilemma.

What Science Fiction Literature and Art lacks most at the moment is money.

There was only about 40,000 or 50,000 yuan in the account in total. Once the royalties for "The Ring" were paid off, the finances would be even more stretched!
"You have also read the Notice on Implementing the Self-Financing System for Periodical Publishing, right?"

Fang Yan smiled and said, "What is the core content?"

Yang Xiao said: "The original public institutions have been transformed into enterprises, responsible for their own profits and losses, and operating independently..."

"That's right. We are responsible for our own profits and losses and operate independently. Does that mean we can get sponsorship and run advertisements?"

Dialect looks left and right.

Everyone was at a loss and had no idea.

Nowadays, most people who are accustomed to the planned economy do not yet have the mindset of commercial operation and management.

So taking the World Science Fiction Convention as an example, I talked about how the World Science Fiction Association solicits sponsorship, advertises, and seeks funds for the annual conference.

"This is indeed a good way to raise funds, but Mr. Fang, will advertising be...?"

Yang Xiao couldn't help but be moved, but still a little hesitant.

"It lowers the tone of the magazine, doesn't it?"

Fangyan immediately guessed her concerns. After all, commercialization has its good side, but it also has its bad side.

Just like "Story Club", as long as there is money to be made, almost any advertisement that skirts the rules will be accepted.

Poker and mahjong, wiretap calls, tranquilizer guns, aphrodisiacs, and even in the era when guns were not banned, there were advertisements selling guns.

Whichever one you buy is worth a trip to the police station!
It’s like the “dark web” of the publishing industry!
"Don't worry about the style. The most urgent thing right now is how to keep Science Fiction Literature and Art!"

Yao Haijun sighed helplessly.

Tan Kai also nodded in agreement: "If we can't even keep the magazine afloat, how can we talk about style?"

"You don't have to worry about it. You can choose any advertisement you want to post."

Fang Yan said: "Holding this National Science Fiction Literature Conference will not only bring fame to your Science Fiction Literature and Art and revive the glory of science fiction literature, but also accumulate experience in organizing conferences. In the future, you can strive for the right to host the World Science Fiction Conference!"

"The right to host the World Science Fiction Convention?!"

Everyone gasped, all of them were shocked beyond words by Teacher Fang's heroic spirit.

"Chinese science fiction must keep pace with the world."

Fang Yan said: "Only in this way can domestic critics, publishers, and writers have a clear understanding of world science fiction, can science fiction literature that has been stigmatized as 'spiritual pollution' be rehabilitated, and can China's science fiction literature be revitalized."

"That's right, just like the Asian Games, the Olympics, and the World Cup can be held in China."

Yao Haijun said excitedly: "If the World Science Fiction Convention can be held in Sichuan, it will definitely be a grand event for Chinese science fiction literature!"

When everyone heard this, their hearts were suddenly filled with emotion.

The picture is so beautiful that I can’t even imagine it!
"Awards abroad are called the Nebula Award and the Hugo Award."

Zhu Lin was very curious, "Teacher Fang, what should our domestic science fiction literature award be called?"

Fang Yan said: "The stars gather together, the Milky Way in the sky, why not call it the 'Galaxy Award'?"

Yao Haijun murmured several times, "Milky Way, Milky Way, the waterfall drops three thousand feet, it seems like the Milky Way falls from the sky."

Zhu Lu said: "There is also 'After getting drunk, I didn't know the sky was in the water, and the whole boat was filled with clear dreams, pressing down on the Milky Way'. This 'galaxy' is the 'Milky Way'!"

"well said."

Fangyan gave her a knowing smile, which was filled with approval and appreciation.

The two of them just smiled and stared at each other, no one said anything more.

(End of this chapter)