Writing Web Novels In America-Chapter 31 Finalized

The New York Times, because of its bestseller list,

so the mid- to low-level editors from all the publishing houses will probably skim through it.

Then, what else can make them "unintentionally" aware?

Tom, while writing the questions for The New York Times, mulled over this.

The key, must be to emphasize "unintentional."

Otherwise, although there’s competition between the big publishing houses, they’ve reached a consensus on lowering the guaranteed royalties for bestselling authors.

But where there’s money to be made, there’s strife.

Editors’ incomes are tightly linked to their publications’ sales.

As long as bestselling authors don’t foolishly submit their manuscripts to various publishing houses.

Because, authors who have made the bestseller list see their manuscripts land directly on the chief editor’s desk.

Thus, the mid- to low-level junior editors, to compete for the works of bestselling authors, will cross some lines.

That’s why the method of "advertorials" can be effective.

Mid- to low-level editors, even if they understand, will choose to play dumb.

After faxing the questions needed for the "advertorial" and Wang Jian’s new address to The New York Times’ advertising department staff,

Tom grabbed the answers he had prepared and was ready to make a trip to Wang Jian’s new apartment.

He understood why Wang Jian demanded high guaranteed royalties after reading his new book, "Arcane Throne."

Because Wang Jian had changed his style.

"Sigh," Tom exhaled, muttering to himself, "Is it so bad to make money with one trick? These artists, always have some quirks."

Meanwhile, Wang Jian was contemplating whether to have Chinese food.

He hadn’t tried Chinese food since coming to this world.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to; it was just...

Too expensive!

At that moment, the apartment’s phone rang.

Wang Jian picked up the receiver somewhat puzzled, then he heard Tom’s voice.

Well,

no Chinese restaurant then.

Wang Jian sighed and sat on the sofa waiting for Tom’s arrival.

Half an hour later.

Tom handed over his plan and the answers to the questions to Wang Jian.

Looking at Tom somewhat helplessly, Wang Jian asked, "Do I have to accept the interview?"

Tom shrugged and said, "It’s the fastest way and, for now, the best way."

Wang Jian nodded helplessly.

It wasn’t that he was scared.

Mainly, it was awkward to appear in front of the media again after just watching the embarrassing commercial he had shot.

He looked over the questions Tom had handed him and asked, "Tomorrow morning at the apartment, right?"

Tom nodded, "I’ll be coming too."

Just like that, the two ate some food while going over the questions again.

Then, Tom drove Wang Jian to the community service site.

"Hey, Wang," Tom rolled down the car window, "Your community service is almost over, right?"

"Yeah."

"Almost 18 years old?" Tom inquired further.

Wang Jian nodded and asked, "What about it?"

"Heh-heh, nothing much," Tom chuckled.

Wang Jian, puzzled, turned and left without noticing Tom exchanging a glance with Lily before driving off.

And so, Wang Jian had bluffed his way through another day of community service.

The following morning,

Wang Jian had put on that one suit of his,

stood by the window, awkwardly smiling at the camera with "I’m a Great Mage" in hand.

After the photoshoot,

the reporter sat with Wang Jian on the sofa and started their banter.

"What made it possible for you to create another fantasy masterpiece like ’Arcane Throne’ in such a short time after ’I’m a Great Mage’?" the reporter asked. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

In his mind, Wang Jian replied "Because of money," while aloud he said, "It must be a desire to share, I always have this urge to tell a story to others."

"Do you, like Mr. Tolkien, believe that the world you created truly exists and that your characters are flesh and blood?"

"Of course, how can I move others if I am not moved myself?" Wang Jian said.

Anyway, he found himself completely immersed in "Arcane Throne" in his mind, especially when using ancient knowledge to slap the face of the high-end combat forces of the Otherworld.

As for being overpowered by the female protagonist,

Damn, he was practically dying to take their place...

After a slew of questions about promoting the new book, the reporter brought up the last question.

"Some have criticized ’I’m a Great Mage’ as unworthy of being called a novel, merely a childish fantasy. What do you have to say to that?"

"Everyone’s story is different; some are rigorous, some unrestrained, some popular, some ignored."

"But they are all the dreams of the authors!"

"And dreams should not be judged as noble or ignoble. They don’t need the validation of others. Some can fill their pots with gold by dreaming, while others chase their dreams persistently."

"You may not agree with the dream, but you can’t belittle it." Wang Jian answered seriously.

The reporter seemed moved by Wang Jian’s solemn expression.

He looked up, staring intently at Wang Jian.

Then, after a moment’s thought, he said to Wang Jian, "We’ve gone over the page limit; it’ll cost extra."

Wang Jian almost stumbled and fell to the ground.

Then, he said, "Just drop that last question, then. Dream or no dream, as long as it doesn’t cost more."

Tom watched the two word-workers discuss the money issue so seriously, he nearly laughed out loud.

Thus, $5,000 was spent, in exchange for a small space beneath the New York Times bestseller list.

And Wang Jian had completed the task required of him.

The rest was up to Tom.

After bluffing through another community service session, Wang Jian received a call from Tom.

"Random House is offering $120,000, 10% royalties, the highest bid so far. Do you sign?"

Wang Jian did some quick math; $120,000 was equivalent to the sales of 300,000 copies of "I’m a Great Mage."

Although "Arcane Throne" would certainly be priced higher than "I’m a Great Mage" at $10 per book, $120,000 would take a long time to earn.

So, he decisively said, "Sign."

Tom continued, "But they’re stipulating that it’s one book at a time. If the sales aren’t good, they reserve the right not to publish the second volume of ’Arcane Throne’."

"And during the reprinting of the first volume of ’Arcane Throne’, there will be no guaranteed royalty payments and no increase in the royalty rate. Do you sign?"

Then, Wang Jian said, "Then don’t sign for the electronic rights, only the print rights. See if they’ll agree to that."

"If they don’t agree, signing the electronic rights is fine too," Wang Jian added.

"Okay," Tom replied.

A few minutes later, Tom called back, "They’ve agreed, but they also requested to extend the licensing period for ’Arcane Throne’ to ten years."

"That’s fine." Wang Jian considered for a while before finally responding.

Meanwhile, at New York University not far from Brooklyn,

the young man named Jack Dorsey looked at the New York Times interview with the author of "I’m a Great Mage," so infuriated he couldn’t even finish his meal.

"A book like that getting a sequel?" he muttered to himself: "When it comes out, I’ll buy a copy and criticize it line by line on the internet."

"No, I’ll borrow one, not giving him even one sale!"

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