1980 My Literary Era.

Chapter 518 The New Yorker Interview
Founded in 1925, The New Yorker is an important comprehensive magazine in American journalism and culture. Its content is mainly non-fiction works, including reports and comments on politics, international affairs, popular culture and art, technology and business.

It also publishes some literary works, mainly short stories and poems, as well as humorous sketches and cartoons.

Richard Yates, who wrote novels all his life but couldn’t support himself with manuscript fees, had his works rejected by The New Yorker countless times, and it wasn’t until the ninth anniversary of his death that his works were rejected by The New Yorker. Published, but also in the name of commemoration.

The style of articles published by "The New Yorker" is mostly humorous and capable, and Richard Yates' realistic and stern style is incompatible with this publication.

After more than half a century of development, "The New Yorker" has become a well-known publication in the United States, and is even more respected by the cultural circles of the United States. It has many fans in Western countries around the world.

David Morris conducted an interview with Lin Weimin for more than two hours, which was compiled into a [-]-word interview article and published in the latest issue of "The New Yorker" a week later.

"On a weekday in May, when the clock hit [-]:[-] am, Lin Weimin, a writer from China, opened the door of his temporarily rented apartment in Manhattan, New York. He was a young and excessive young man.

He doesn't like being interviewed, especially by Western journalists. According to him, it is the different ways of thinking of the two sides that hinder communication.Of course, the most important thing is that he doesn't like what he says becomes useless nonsense.

In his opinion, it is far less at ease to hold the pen in the hands of others than to hold it in his own hands.

For many American readers, Lin Weimin's name is no stranger.Over the past few years, readers and audiences in the United States have heard and seen his name more and more from various media, literary works, and drama works.

But readers don't know much about this writer from far away China. This visit will give you an all-round introduction to this talented Chinese writer.

......"

David Morris, as a senior reporter with 20 years of experience, his style of writing is unquestionable, and the process of the interview was also very pleasant. After reading the whole article, he showed readers a positive image of Lin Weimin.

Arthur Miller put down the newspaper and looked at Lin Weimin with a smile, "Lin, you should accept more interviews!"

"Come on, it's such a headache dealing with these reporters."

"David Morris is not an easy reporter to deal with, and the way he compliments you in his articles speaks volumes about your talent in this area."

Lin Weimin ignored Arthur Miller's ridicule, and said: "You can decide on the casting. This drama is being performed in the United States. I can't follow it from beginning to end. There is no need to intervene in everything."

Seeing his sincerity, Arthur Miller didn't mention the matter of casting, and instead asked about Lin Weimin's itinerary.

"Two days ago, I had a phone call with China, and I can't go back in a short time. During this time, I will stay in the United States for the time being. I plan to take Huimin out for a while when I have time. I have been in New York for a long time. It's gone."

Arthur Miller nodded and said, "That's fine. You don't need to worry about "Farewell My Concubine" for the time being. You can go out and play with confidence."

While the two were talking, the phone at Arthur Miller's house rang. After he finished answering the phone, Lin Weimin left.

Back at Dakota's apartment, Tao Huimin told Lin Weimin that someone had called in the morning.

"It's Mr. Roger Strauss whom I met at Anne's last week. He wants to buy you a cup of coffee. What can he do with you?"

Tao Huimin has improved her language a lot in the past month or so, but she could only understand what Roger Strauss said that day. If she understood everything, she would probably understand that Roger Strauss called to find What Lin Weimin meant.

"It should be about the novel..." Lin Weimin explained to Tao Huimin.

Turn left at 79th Street and go straight until the end is the Hudson River.

There is a cafe by the river called The Dock.

The wind from the Hudson was cool, soft, and salty.The quiet docks are full of yachts, symbolizing the prosperity of New York City.

Roger Strauss was sitting in the open-air area of ​​the cafe by the river, wearing sunglasses, with a cup of coffee on the table at hand, relaxed and comfortable.

But all this was broken because of Lin Weimin's arrival, "Mr. Strauss, you are really a person who can enjoy life."

Roger Strauss heard the voice, got up and greeted Lin Weimin, and then they sat down, and Lin Weimin also ordered a cup of coffee.

"I've read the article in The New Yorker, Lin. It seems that the reporter was deeply impressed by your charisma." Roger Strauss joked.

"Just a good chat, David Morris is a very good interviewer."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the topic stopped at a certain moment.

After a short pause, Roger Strauss said, "Lin, I think you should know why I invited you to drink coffee today."

"Probably guessed."

Roger Strauss looked at him and said the purpose of today, "We at FSG Publishing hope to obtain the publishing rights of your works."

Lin Weimin said calmly, "Mr. Strauss, my cooperation with Random House is quite pleasant, and there is no reason to change the publisher."

"It's not a change of publisher, but an additional cooperative publishing house."

Roger Strauss obviously already had a plan, Lin Weimin looked at him in surprise when he heard his words.

Roger Strauss was very satisfied with Lin Weimin's reaction, "Lin, I will never overestimate the influence of FSG in the author's heart. I came to see you today just to find a suitable start for the cooperation between the two parties."

The advances and retreats of Roger Strauss fully demonstrated the quality of an outstanding businessman. These few words even made Lin Weimin unable to find a reason to refuse.

Do you have a cooperative publishing house?But surely you wouldn't mind having an extra family, would you?

"But...Mr. Strauss, all my works published in the United States have signed an exclusive agreement with Random House." Lin Weimin said.

"But it's not all your works, is it? And, you're still so young, future works..."

Roger Strauss stopped here, and his meaning is self-evident.

After pondering for a moment, Lin Weimin said: "It is true that some of my works have not been published in the United States, but you should be able to imagine why Random House did not choose these novels in the first place. Do you think these works will sell well in the United States?"

"Lin, the biggest difference between us at FSG Publishing House and Random House is that we are willing to accompany writers to grow together. You don't think a publishing house that focuses on literary works has many big-selling works, do you?" Roger Stur Rolls smiled lightly.

Roger Strauss' attitude was very pleasant, Lin Weimin asked: "You have said so, I really can't think of a reason to refuse."

"Then your follow-up work..."

This is a question mentioned by Roger Strauss just now, but Lin Weimin did not answer it.

Roger Strauss wanted to publish the few novels that were screened out by Random House at the beginning, and there was no restriction on the publishing contract. Lin Weimin was naturally willing to earn an extra manuscript fee, but if he wanted to get the publishing rights of his subsequent works, he had to A few nice words from Roger Strauss were not enough.

"Mr. Strauss, with all due respect, I can't find a reason to hand over the publishing rights of subsequent works to you." Lin Weimin said bluntly.

Roger Strauss was not surprised, and he also said frankly: "Lin, if you are willing to become a citizen of the United States, I am sure that you will win the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award within five years. Gather three major literary awards."

"Mr. Strauss, I have to admit that your condition is very attractive..."

What Lin Weimin said made Roger Strauss's face flash with joy, "However, it is impossible for me to become a citizen of the United States. A writer who leaves the motherland is like a rootless duckweed."

Before Roger Strauss had time to be happy, Lin Weimin poured cold water on him. He suppressed the disappointment in his heart and continued: "That's right. You have already won the National Book Critics Association Award, the Goncourt Literature Award, etc. Big prizes, Pulitzer Prizes and National Book Awards are nothing unusual for you."

He looked at Lin Weimin again with burning eyes, "So, what about the Nobel Prize in Literature?"

Lin Weimin laughed, "Can you promise that I will win the Nobel Prize for Literature?"

Roger Strauss eyes flickered, and finally said: "Five years, within five years, I guarantee that you can nominate for the Nobel Prize in Literature, but winning the award requires a certain amount of luck, and I cannot guarantee it to you."

Lin Weimin's face was calm, and he said in a calm tone: "Since Mr. Strauss, you have read the report in "The New Yorker", then you should know my attitude towards the Nobel Prize in Literature."

Roger Strauss couldn't help frowning when he heard the words, he wasn't lying, he had indeed read the "New Yorker" report, but he never thought what Lin Weimin said was true, but It's just a trick to deceive the media and readers.

He has run a publishing house for more than 40 years, trained countless writers, and pushed many writers to the podium of the world's major literary awards including the Nobel Prize for Literature. He has never seen anyone who refuses to accept an award. writer.

"Lin, it's always better to win an award, right? What's more, this is the Nobel Prize for Literature. What writer would refuse it?"

Lin Weimin nodded and said, "You are right. Maybe when the Nobel Prize for Literature is awarded to me one day, it will be difficult for me to refuse. The problem now is that you can't guarantee it, right?"

Roger Strauss was speechless. In the final analysis, the price was not discussed!

He looked at Lin Weimin with complicated eyes, unable to guess what the young writer was thinking.

You can say that he is arrogant, he can refuse follow-up cooperation because he cannot promise the Nobel Prize.Call him snobbish, but he relentlessly rejected 100% chances of being nominated for the Nobel Prize.

"Lin, if there are more nominations, you will always win the award." Roger Strauss tried to persuade Lin Weimin unwillingly.

Lin Weimin laughed and said, "Mr. Strauss, an award is an award, and it has nothing to do with nominations. Let's talk about the publication of those novels!"

Lin Weimin's attitude made Roger Strauss completely disappointed. It seems that there is no way to convince this young man today.

He took a deep look at Lin Weimin. Over the years, he had come into contact with countless difficult writers, and he would never be discouraged because he was rejected by Lin Weimin only once.

Experience told him that as long as there is a chance, things have the possibility of success.

He has read all of Lin Weimin's works published in the United States, including his plays.

Roger Strauss has never seen such an award-winning and blockbuster writer as Lin Weimin.

Such a writer, Roger Strauss, is extremely rare even in the history of American literature.

FSG Publishing House has no shortage of award-winning writers, but it lacks writers whose works can sell well.

Roger Strauss' eyes were determined.

This Lin is a treasure, he is going to make it!
　The ridges are up!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)