Writing Web Novels In America-Chapter 76 "American Gods

Before Neil Gaiman realized it, he had read up to the latest Chapter of "Extreme Heavenly Demon."

He closed his eyes, reflecting carefully.

At its core, this novel was still the clichéd story where the protagonist, with his special abilities, defeats numerous high-level characters.

But...

The setting of this story and the special powers indeed had some thought put into them.

Moreover, the pacing was very strong.

Although it didn’t have as complete a setting as "Arcane Throne."

Still, the performance of this book wouldn’t be bad.

Neil Gaiman intended to complain about the novel’s structure being a bit chaotic, but then he thought of Wang Jian’s writing speed.

So, he forcibly swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

And Greek Mythology...

All gods...

Neil Gaiman held his own outline in his hand, comparing it with "Extreme Heavenly Demon."

Both lacked swords and magic, both involved a plethora of gods.

He looked at the comments section of "Extreme Heavenly Demon."

There were many reader comments.

Although there were some critical ones, the majority were praises and pleas for more updates.

Then, this type of novel should still have a market.

He picked up the phone to call his literary agent, asking to inquire one last time about the opinions of various publishers.

As an author who had won the "World Fantasy Award."

He had the privilege to directly contact major publishing houses to find out if his ideas could be published.

Although Neil Gaiman felt somewhat restricted by this privilege.

Half an hour later, the agent relayed the information back to Neil Gaiman. freewebnoveℓ.com

"Apart from Candlewick Press, willing to offer an 8% royalty share, the other publishers have rejected it."

"Even..." the publishing agent mumbled.

"Even what?" Neil pressed.

"Some editors have called your ideas bizarre."

"Bizarre?" Neil Gaiman echoed.

He took several deep breaths, calming his emotions.

Then, he instructed the literary agent: "Go contact wangwen.com and see what they would offer."

"You’re also considering publishing online?" the agent exclaimed.

"It’s not certain yet." Neil Gaiman glanced again at "Extreme Heavenly Demon" and said, "Just contact them first."

"Alright."

The agent hung up the phone.

Meanwhile, Neil Gaiman returned to his computer, clicked on the "Terms for Uploading Works" on the website, and read them carefully.

When he saw "Uncontracted works belong to the author. The author has the right to delete the works at any time."

Neil Gaiman picked up his cup and downed the coffee inside.

Then, he pulled out his keyboard and typed a few words on the webpage.

"American Gods."

Story synopsis: Do you think it’s the people who govern the development of the United States?

No, it never was.

It has been the deities, the gods from all over the world.

But human faith also determines the power of the gods, even their life and death.

Thus, God Odin, Loki, the Resurrection Goddess, and other old deities, unwilling to lose their followers, have all come to the United States.

They vie with the God of High Technology, the God of Media, the God of Cars, and other new deities for faith, engaging in a struggle.

So, what will happen?

Upon completing the input, Neil Gaiman stood up, deciding to wait for the message from the literary agent before deciding whether to start entering the work as well.

At this moment, Wang Jian had just exited his writing state.

He took out a piece of chewing gum and began to chew it while starting to look up the materials needed to adapt "Extreme Heavenly Demon."

Suddenly, he noticed that the number of fantasy genre works under the directory was: 2.

Someone uploaded a fantasy work?

Wang Jian felt a surge of joy and hurriedly checked.

He saw that the work was titled "American Gods," by Neil Gaiman.

Neil Gaiman?

Is that the Neil Gaiman?

How could this deity be visiting his own modest temple?

Wang Jian suspected that it might be someone with the same name.

Then, his phone rang.

"Wang, Neil Gaiman’s rights agent reached out to ask, if he posts works on our website, what terms we can offer."

"Is it really Neil Gaiman? Are you sure?" Wang Jian asked in shock while looking at his computer.

"I’ve confirmed it," Tom replied. "I also learned that Neil Gaiman’s new work is considered too bold by most publishers, so the terms they offer him are not very good."

"That must be why Neil Gaiman is coming to post his work on our website."

Too bold a concept?

This...

Isn’t that a boon rather than a disadvantage when it comes to the nearly zero cost of publishing works online?

"Go and talk to them. My bottom line is 20% e-book royalties and 10% royalties on derivatives."

"Just don’t go beyond that baseline; by any means keep them on our website."

"Alright," Tom answered.

After Tom hung up, Wang Jian went back to look at the synopsis of the book called "American Gods."

He wanted to see what kind of extraordinary idea made it so difficult for an author of Neil Gaiman’s caliber to get favorable publishing terms.

A moment later.

Wang Jian rubbed his eyes vigorously.

This concept...

After pondering for a moment, he finally said two words: "Bizarre."

Out of curiosity, Wang Jian left a comment on the work: So, which Chinese deity is in it?

He didn’t know if it was because of his own fame, or because it was the only comment,

but Neil Gaiman replied quickly, "An important character from the famous Chinese mythological novel ’Journey to the West’, and the only anthropomorphic deity."

"Journey to the West"?

Anthropomorphic deity?

That couldn’t possibly be the First or Second Brother.

Elder Tang?

Does he count as a deity?

It surely couldn’t be Sandy, the one always saying "The First Brother is right," "The Second Brother is right," could it?

Just when Wang Jian was ready to continue the exchange with the other party, Tom called again.

"30% share in royalties, 10% on derivatives, they won’t budge anymore."

Wang Jian thought for a moment.

Currently, besides himself, the website needed a few cornerstone figures.

And typical bestselling authors actually prefer to work with publishers.

Someone like Neil Gaiman, whose ideas were too bizarre, was truly a rare find.

So, Wang Jian replied, "Fine, get the contract signed as soon as possible."

"Alright," answered Tom. "And, congratulations, you are now Neil Gaiman’s boss. At least, for the moment."

Wang Jian remembered getting only a 7% share in royalties back when he wrote "I’m a Great Mage."

And now, offering royalties to Neil Gaiman,

he couldn’t help feeling like it was all a dream.

Meanwhile, Neil Gaiman also received a message from his rights agent.

"70% e-book royalties, 90% on derivatives. And it won’t affect the distribution of the physical book."

Neil thought about the royalties offered by the publishers and compared them to those offered by the website, and felt it was acceptable.

As for the derivative rights...

"Star Wars" was already considered the pinnacle of technology.

The difficulty of adapting "American Gods" for the screen was several times greater than "Star Wars."

By the time it could be adapted to film, he’d probably be long gone.

And "American Gods" would have become public domain.

So he said, "Sign it."

PS: The publishing difficulties of "American Gods" are real; it’s not fiction.

Even now, the book is considered odd in the West.

Of course, if it were thrown into Qidian...

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