1980 My Literary Era.

Chapter 555 Do You See Me Like An Embarrassed Person
The seven characters of National Literature Publishing House are a golden signboard in the Chinese literary world, not only for the authors, but also for the editors.

Wei Junyi, editor-in-chief of the Guowen Society, once said, "The editors of the Guowen Society should understand ancient and modern Chinese and foreign literature. The Guowen Society is a place to train writers, translators, publishers, and theorists."

The facts are indeed as she said, in the Chinese language agency, if you walk into an editorial office and ask one or two old comrades sitting by the window or door of the office, there may be an existence that can be called "home".

There has always been a tradition of "passing on" among the editors of the Chinese Language Society. When newcomers come to the agency, after an internship in the proofreading department, they will be assigned to study with the old editors, just like how a state-owned factory would find a master for young workers.

Young editors follow the old editors, not only to learn professional knowledge, but also to learn how they deal with writers and how to grow up with them.

Under such circumstances, the younger generation of editors cultivated are naturally outstanding in China's publishing industry, and it is not surprising that they become the favorites for other publishing houses to compete for.

Everyone feels sorry for those who have left, more because of business.

The editors who can be poached must be the backbone of each editorial office, and they must be well-known figures in the publishing industry in the future.

But it’s not necessarily the case after leaving. The publishing houses outside are more for economic interests. They may make money faster than the Guowen Press, but their achievements may be limited.

Guo Xugang's departure gave the employees of the Guowen Society a little more talk, but it didn't cause any waves here.

As one of the heavyweight units in the domestic publishing industry, there is no shortage of editors here, let alone good editors.If one person is poached outside, the Guowen Society can train more people. This is the foundation.

On the second Friday of October, Lin Weimin received a call from Arthur Miller in the United States, saying that "The Kite Runner" had sold the copyrights in the UK and Canada.

In fact, since this play was performed on Broadway, production companies from several English-speaking countries hoped to obtain the copyright of this play, but Arthur Miller and Lin Weimin discussed it at that time. In order to better negotiate, there is no rush to sell the copyright of the play.

Today, four full years have passed since "The Kite Runner" premiered on Broadway, and it has entered a period of decline.

This drama has gained the love of millions of viewers in the United States, and its influence has already spread to many English-speaking countries. It is a perfect time to operate copyright development at this time.

On Broadway, copyright operation is a professional and complicated matter, and Lin Weimin has never asked much about it.

In addition to "The Kite Runner", the copyright of "The Untouchable" was also bought by a British production company this time. Two countries, three copyrights, deducting the share of Arthur Miller's copyright operation company, Lin Weimin can The obtained share is as high as 280 million meters.

If the copyright operation of Lin Weimin's works can continue, it will be another big gold mine no less than theatrical performances and novel publishing.

A few days later, Cheng Zaochun called Lin Weimin to the office.

It has been a long time since he was called by the leader to have a heart-to-heart talk, and Lin Weimin felt very cordial when he entered the office unexpectedly.

"Leader, what do you want from me?"

"Can't I talk to you if I have nothing to do?"

Lin Weimin gave him a look, he is a thousand-year-old fox, so don't play with me.

Cheng Zaochun coughed lightly to ease the awkward atmosphere.

"Recently, Wang Shuo's anthology seems to be selling well!" Cheng Zaochun took the initiative to open the topic.

"Yes, Huayi is very courageous, and the first printing is 20 sets."

Cheng Zaochun nodded, "You are familiar with Wang Shuo, do you have any plans to reprint?"

"It's early, it's only been on the market for more than half a month, how can it be so fast, but judging from the current situation, 20 sets will definitely not hold back." Lin Weimin said.

Cheng Zaochun showed a pensive look, and after a while, he asked, "Recently, the contracts for two novels of yours are about to expire."

Lin Weimin asked unexpectedly, "Which one? I haven't noticed it yet."

Cheng Zaochun glanced at him speechlessly, knowing that he would not mention this matter.

""Latent" and "Chasing the Murderer"."

"The agency plans to renew the contract with me?"

"nonsense."

Lin Weimin leaned back on the sofa, "This matter..."

Cheng Zaochun had already guessed his reaction, and he was tired of it, but he still said: "The agency plans to raise some manuscript fees for you..."

"Still mentioning it? Isn't it good?"

Cheng Zaochun didn't think that he was out of good intentions and didn't want the Guowen Society to spend money, "Then what do you mean?"

"Wang Shuo has already taken the royalties." Lin Weimin said quietly.

Cheng Zaochun was silent for a long time, "For the people, you are a member of our Guowen Society..."

"Leader, this is your fault." Lin Weimin refuted Cheng Zaochun solemnly, "Brothers are still clear! In the past, no one in the country took royalties, so I won't say anything. Now that someone has taken them, you can't pay them back. Let me get the thousand-character manuscript fee? Wang Shuo can get the royalties, but I can't?"

These words were prepared by Lin Weimin a long time ago, and they were said in one go. I sold the master son, and if I don't get the royalties, am I worthy of the master son?

"Royalty is a new thing, we still have to be cautious."

"I have taken royalties abroad for many years, and I have never heard of any problems."

"I can't make a decision on this matter alone. I have to hold a meeting to discuss it before making a decision."

"Then you have a meeting to discuss, and I will sign the contract after you have discussed it."

……

Cheng Zaochun said something, Lin Weimin said something, Cheng Zaochun fell silent again, staring at Lin Weimin.

Lin Weimin was right. The two looked at each other for a long time, and finally Cheng Zaochun couldn't hold back, "I can give you the royalties. I heard that Wang Shuo got 10%, which is not low."

Lin Weimin shook his head, "No, I always get 15% when I'm abroad, so I can't still suffer when I'm on my own?"

"For the sake of the people, you also have to understand the society, which is not easy. The market competition has been so fierce in the past two years, and the development of the society is not the same as in previous years."

In order to reduce costs and increase efficiency, Comrade Cheng seems to be trying a lot of tricks.

"Leader, we have to be conscientious as human beings. My novels have been published in the publishing house all these years. If Wang Shuo publishes a collection of novels, Hua Yi can give him a thousand words and a hundred, and now he still gets royalties. , you said if I went to those publishing houses outside, what price would they have to pay?"

"Yes yes yes, all of us have noticed the contribution you have made to the society over the years. 11%, how about 11%?"

Lin Weimin understood that it was not that Lao Cheng didn't want to pay royalties, but that he wanted to keep his royalties as low as possible.

Wang Shuo has already taken royalties, and Lao Cheng and the publisher should also know that it is the general trend to collect royalties by himself in the future. Even if the publisher doesn't pay royalties, he will still get royalties when he cooperates with outside publishing houses when the contract expires.

But when it really gets to that point, it's not easy to step down. It's better to take the initiative to talk to yourself earlier.

However, Lao Cheng was narrow-minded and wanted to save some money, so he had today's drama.

"11% is definitely not good, it's too low."

"Wang Shuo is so popular that he only gets 10%."

"He found it by himself. He is thin-skinned and embarrassed to negotiate with the publishing house. Do you think I look like a embarrassed person?"

Cheng Zaochun has been silent more times in one day than in a year. Negotiating with such a shameless opponent not only tests IQ and courage, but also tests patience.

The two debated for a long time, and in the end the royalty share was set at 13%, which was barely acceptable to both parties.

"Let's make an agreement, we will follow this standard in the future when we renew the contract, you can't raise the price any more." Cheng Zaochun reassured.

"Got it, got it!" Lin Weimin said angrily.

The heart of being a leader is dark. He doesn't think about other things all day, but thinks about how to sacrifice the interests of employees to make the unit better.

Cheng Zaochun asked Lin Weimin to sign a new contract on the spot.

If you finish early, two books are two books, and you will be safe in your pocket.

It took half a day to come out of Cheng Zaochun's office. Lin Weimin was about to go back to the back building when he bumped into a familiar face.

"Xiao Guo?"

"Mr. Lin!" Guo Xugang looked at Lin Weimin, his eyes dodging a little.

Guo Xugang just left the Guowen Society this month and went to a publishing house outside. Lin Weimin asked with a smile, "Come back and have a look?"

Guo Xugang pursed his lips, hesitated before saying, "No."

"Then you are..."

Guo Xugang looked at Lin Weimin with a pleading expression on his face, "Mr. Lin, can you do me a favor?"

Seeing his expression, Lin Weimin knew that there must be something wrong with his work, so he pulled him aside and asked, "What's the matter? Are you working outside?"

When it came to work, Guo Xugang was depressed, and told the story of his going to the new unit.

Guo Xugang is a French translator at the Guowen Society. French literature dares to be ranked second in world literature, and no one dares to be number one.

This time I went to the new unit, the salary was much higher than that at the Guowen Society, and the treatment was good. He thought he could work hard, but he didn't expect that the situation was different from what he thought.

The new unit pays more attention to the efficiency of employees and the benefits that can be created. The work rhythm is more than a little busier than that of the Guowen Society, which is not the most critical.

The most important thing is that the editorial department does not treat literature piously, and everyone just treats it as an ordinary job. Guo Xu just went to the unit for half a month, and had two or three disputes with the editor-in-chief because of several translation problems.

The editor-in-chief pays more attention to efficiency, while he is used to working in the Guowen Society, and pays more attention to the accuracy and charm of translation.

After breaking away from the big family of the Guowen Society, Guo Xugang immediately felt the coldness of the world.

"The work there is too perfunctory and makes people feel guilty. There is really no humanistic spirit. Everyone does their own work. There is no such harmonious, literary, and humane relationship. I regretted it after going there for a few days But I dare not come back, I know I did something wrong..."

When Guo Xu just spoke, his eyes were red, and he acted very cramped, like a child who ran away from home, couldn't get along outside and came back by himself.

Lin Weimin patted him on the shoulder, "What does it matter? You have been in the club for so many years, and you have already gotten used to the environment here. If you are not used to staying outside, come back."

Guo Xugang said in shame: "I'm obsessed with ghosts, in order to make more money..."

"Don't say that!" Lin Weimin stopped him, and said earnestly: "Who doesn't want to make more money, your choice is beyond reproach. Our Guowen Society is not a den of bandits, only allowed to enter, not allowed to exit."

Lin Weimin saw that Guo Xugang's expression became more and more ashamed, and said, "Stop talking, I'll take you to find Lao Cheng, he will be glad to know you are coming back, you are from our Guowen Society!"

Guo Xugang followed Lin Weimin, and for Lin Weimin's words, "You are from our Guowen Society", tears fell down without disappointment.

　There are only two changes today. It's hot, toothache, cervical spine pain, and uncomfortable.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)