The literary era since 1979

July 7, AMC Theaters, Burbank, California.

The red carpet stretched from the curb to the theater entrance, and there was a huge wall of movie posters.

Opposite the guardrail, countless fans who were attracted by the advertisement gathered together.

At the forefront, American entertainment reporters were crowded together, including the Los Angeles Times, the Daily News, and America Today…

And the two most important magazines in Hollywood, The Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Weekly, were all present.

The photographers had already occupied their positions and were skillfully pointing their cameras at the guests who walked into the theater one by one.

At this moment, a group of people suddenly appeared in the camera, led by Fangyan, who was wearing a Zhongshan suit, and Gong Xing, who was wearing a crescent-shaped white cheongsam.

She tied her long hair up in a bun, revealing her full forehead, straight nose, restrained lips, and slender swan neck.

The buttons of the cheongsam are symmetrical and fit, and following the buttons downwards are silky lines, outlining the exquisite figure bit by bit. It is relaxed and natural, but suddenly tightens at the waist, and then slowly spreads out, hanging to the ground like flowers, exuding the graceful and seductive beauty to the fullest.

Behind him were Mike, Fang Yan, Bai Ruoxue and Li Zhi.

Li Zhi was wearing a black and white suit-style dress. She walked lightly and felt dazed the moment she stepped onto the red carpet.

Before joining Teacher Fang's foundation, I never dared to imagine that one day I would be able to set foot in Hollywood or even meet Steven Spielberg. I also had no chance to be a translator for Warren Buffett and others. All of this was thanks to the gift of Teacher Fang!
Looking at the backs of couples, I couldn't help but sigh.

"Crack!"

"Kakaka!"

At this moment, the shutter sounds kept ringing.

Gong Xing said: "No wonder Xiaoyu and the others all want to try their luck in Hollywood. It is indeed different from the film industry in our country."

Fang Yan asked, "What about you? Do you also want to develop in Hollywood?"

"Forget it. I'm not young anymore and I don't have much time left to be an actor."

Gong Xing lowered his voice and said, "In the limited time I have, I hope to serve the domestic audience and make more works that ordinary people like to watch. As for foreign fans, I'd better teach them to Xiaoyu and others."

"Our comrade Xiaoxiang is still more conscious!" Fangyan said with a smile.

Gong Xing rolled his eyes, "Go away, you're making fun of me again!"

"How can this be a joke? This is what I really think."

Fang Yan said seriously: "Even if I come to Hollywood, Hollywood will not take me seriously. At most, I will just play a minor role."

"No way?" Bai Ruoxue and Gong Xing were surprised.

"Teacher Fang is right."

Li Zhi said with certainty, "Asian actors are not taken seriously in Hollywood. The last famous one was Bruce Lee."

Gong Xing saw the photographers opposite him symbolically taking a photo, then put down his camera and realized that the entertainment media had no interest in them.

"So," Fang Yan said, "Why bother to go far away? Our domestic market is also huge. If we can make some good things and reach international standards, one day, those people in Hollywood will definitely hold checks and US dollars and beg us to cooperate."

Gong Xing suddenly realized, "You asked me to study in the directing department, is it also for the future..."

"Now you know my good intentions." Fang Yan smiled knowingly, "You don't have to act, you can also direct."

Seeing how affectionate they were, Fang Yan smiled and pulled Gong Xing inside.

When the transparent counter for popcorn came into view, he swallowed his saliva and said, "Brother, popcorn! Popcorn!"

"You little greedy cat."

Fangyan shook his head and laughed, but at this moment, Jason Epstein's voice suddenly came from behind him.

"square!"

"Jason, long time no see!"

"Yes, it has been almost a year now. We finally meet again." Seeing that the two were going to talk about business, Bai Ruoxue stayed behind to act as a translator.

Jason Epstein said: "Congratulations on the success of Guns, Viruses, and Steel!"

Fangyan was not surprised. After all, this academic work was on the New York Times bestseller list and had been reported in many newspapers. It was impossible for a well-known publishing company in the United States like Random House not to have received relevant news.

“From New York to Iowa, from California to Florida, almost everyone knows about it!”

Jason Epstein said with regret in his tone, "I really regret not signing your book at our Random House."

Fangyan smiled and then said some polite words to him, then it became clear who would lose patience first.

Seeing more and more people coming in, Jason Epstein finally couldn't hold on any longer and said frankly:
"Fang, we at Random House hope to continue working with you."

"How to cooperate?"

"I've read part of your English manuscript for The Ring. It's great!"

Jason Epstein praised it highly, saying, "I have never seen science fiction written so horrifyingly and unbelievably."

Fangyan raised his eyebrows and said, since you asked sincerely, I will be merciful and talk to you.

Previously, for "Saving Private Ryan", the standard fee set by Random House was 8 cents per word. Now, considering General Fang's fame and status, it would be too inappropriate to pay him 8 cents per word. At least the fee should be raised!

"How about 2 dollars?"

Jason Epstein held up two fingers.

Two U.S. dollars for a single word is already the highest royalty rate that famous American writers and contributors receive in the publishing industry.

Of course, if Fangyan is willing to sign an exclusive author agreement with Random House, it is not impossible to negotiate and increase the price by another one or two dollars.

"And what about royalties?"

Fangyan remained calm and continued to ask.

Jason Epstein didn’t bargain or hide his intentions, but simply gave Random House’s leverage.

For less than 5000 copies, 10% will be given; for between 50001 and 10000 copies, 12.5% ​​will be given.

If the sales volume exceeds 10000 copies, 15% will be given. Whether it is domestic or overseas, 15% is a generous reward only for super best-selling authors.

And it's not just a 15% royalty, Random House even plans to advance $10 in royalties for "The Ring."

"I have already felt your sincerity."

Fangyan smiled with satisfaction.

"This is not our greatest sincerity. If you are willing to sign an exclusive author agreement with our Random House..."

Jason Epstein offers treatment and conditions that are only available to the world's top writers.

In addition to the standard fee of US$3 to US$5 per word, royalties for books exceeding 15 copies can be directly increased from 20% to %.

You know, ever since the introduction of literary royalties, all writers who have enjoyed 20% royalties have been world-class literary masters without exception.

For example, Victor Hugo, who wrote "Les Miserables", and Leo Tolstoy, who wrote "War and Peace".

Our "Brother Xun", Mr. Lu Xun, received a royalty of 25%, while the domestic royalty rate at that time was generally between 12% and 15%!
In other words, it is hard to say whether Fang Xiaojiang's novels are at the level of literary masters, but the royalties are definitely among those of literary masters.

“If I sign an exclusive author agreement, how many books do I have to publish for Random House at least?”

Fangyan was not blinded by money.

Jason Epstein held up three fingers, "At least three, including The Ring."

Fang Yan said: "I happen to have a few novels on hand that I think are suitable for European and American readers. Perhaps you, Random House, will be interested." (End of this chapter)