1980 My Literary Era.

Chapter 659
Cheng Zaochun listened to Lin Weimin's talk for a long time, and he had already lost his mind. Lin Weimin finally stopped, and asked expectantly: "How is it? What do you think of my idea?"

Cheng Zaochun was a little flustered, just like a primary school student who sneaked out of class and was caught by the teacher.

He doesn't know what's going on, he just slipped away after hearing half of it.

"Okay! This idea is good, I think I can try it."

Anyway, it's just a series of books, and I didn't invest much, Cheng Zaochun thought.

When Lin Weimin heard this, a smile appeared on his face.

When did Lao Cheng become so enlightened?

It seems that I must have been amazed by my idea.

"Well, since you agree. Let's send out the news a few years ago, and let these domestic writers follow us happily."

Happy?What's the meaning?
Cheng Zaochun didn't understand the meaning of the words, and was too embarrassed to ask again, so the conversation was hastily ended.

Three days later, the latest issue of "Literary Story" was released and listed.

As a weekly abstract of literature and history under the Guowen Society, "Literary Stories" has a fixed audience of its own, and the sales volume of each issue is maintained at between 50 and [-] copies. Not bad.

Early in the morning, many readers who subscribed to a year-round newspaper took out the newspaper from the newspaper box at the door of their house early, and they could read it while eating while eating.

"'Cloth Tiger Series' Call for Papers for Millions of Manuscripts"?
Many people are immediately attracted by the headlines on the front page when they read a newspaper.

One line of headlines, eleven words, four of which seem to have magical powers to firmly attract the attention of all the readers who are reading the newspaper-millions of manuscripts.

In this day and age, the monthly salary of ordinary salaried workers is no more than 200 yuan, and it would be good if it can reach 500 yuan a little more.

After carefully reading the call for papers on the headlines on the front page, everyone realized what was going on.

It turned out that the "Cloth Tiger Series" planned by the Guowen Society launched a call for papers. The so-called "millions of remuneration" refers to the remuneration budget provided by the Guowen Society for this call for papers.

In the call for papers, the Guowen Society clearly stipulated that it would pay a sky-high price of 150 yuan per thousand words to all works selected in the "Cloth Tiger Series".

After the work is published, if the number of first printed copies is not less than 10, and the sales volume of the work exceeds 15 copies, it will be automatically converted into royalties to pay the author's remuneration, and the royalty sharing ratio is as high as 10%.

Hong Feng used to be a substitute teacher in a middle school, and later worked as a brick factory worker. After the college entrance examination system was restored in 77, he was admitted to the Chinese Department of Northeast Normal University. After graduating in 82, he taught in the Chinese Department of Baicheng Teachers College. Cooperate with "Writer" magazine as an editor.

In his spare time, Hong Feng's greatest pleasure is writing. In 83, he was inspired by Lin Weimin and joined the creation team of "pioneering literature", and his fame caught up with Hua, Ma Yuan and others.

But in recent years, with the continuous decline of pure literature, Hong Feng's creative career has also ushered in a trough.

Last year, his latest novel "East Eighth Time Zone" was well received by many critics in the literary circle, but he searched all over the publishing houses, and no one was willing to publish it.

Hong Feng has been in the literary world for more than ten years. He has written dozens of novelettes and short stories, and won many awards. Writer" is not an exaggeration.

"Eastern Eighth Time Zone" was well received after it was completed, and it fell to the point where it could not be published. This not only embarrassed Hong Feng, but also put a big question mark in his heart on his writing career for so many years, and almost destroyed the book. his confidence as a writer.

Some time ago, he kept reflecting on his creative direction and content, trying to find the problem, and finally found out sadly that he could only attribute everything to the market.

According to Hong Feng's observations, pure literature has gradually declined in recent years. Except for some writers who have already become famous and have their own fixed readership, most of the writers' books have not sold satisfactorily after publication. This is why many publishing houses are unwilling. One of the reasons for republishing pure literature.

Corresponding to the gradual marginalization of pure literature is the rapid rise of popular literature.In the mid-to-late 80s, popular literature was still firmly suppressed by pure literature, but in just a few short years, the offensive and defensive trends were different, and pure literature was almost pushed to the ground by popular literature.

The works of popular literature writers in Xiangjiang, Wandao and other places such as Jin Yong, Sanmao, and Qiong Yao are popular, driving the tide of popular literature publications, and this type of works are also emerging in the mainland. The easy-to-read and easy-to-understand characteristics make this type The circulation of the works has increased again and again, and now it has reached a level where pure literature is hard to come by.

With the popularity of popular literature, which publishing house is willing to publish pure literature that cannot be sold?
Therefore, many domestic writers with mediocre strength and no representative works have fallen into a situation where it is difficult to publish their works in recent years.

Hong Feng figured out his situation, suffered for a while, and then, in hesitation, tried to create a transformative work.

Now that pure literature is on the decline and popular literature is selling well, we should mix some popular elements into the works.

But as he was writing, Hong Feng lost his confidence again. He began to doubt in his heart that there would really be publishers willing to publish the four images he wrote, and would readers appreciate them?

In this mood of worrying about gains and losses, another work by Hong Feng is about to be completed.

He was struggling with nothing to do. He was having breakfast today when he suddenly saw the call for papers from the "Literary Story" of the Guowen Society "Cloth Tiger Series Books Call for Papers for Millions of Remuneration" and couldn't help being shocked.

The total remuneration is one million yuan, 150 yuan per thousand words, the first print of 10 copies, and 15% royalties for more than 10 copies.

This treatment cannot be described as generous, it is simply insane.

Two years ago, Huayi Publishing House wanted to publish Wang Shuo's "End of Addiction and Die", and paid 100 yuan for a thousand words, which is already a sky-high price. Later, Wang Shuo took royalties, which is even more unthinkable for most writers numbers.

Now the Guowen Society has raised the remuneration for thousand-character manuscripts to 150 yuan. The soaring prices in the past two years are like a younger brother in front of the increase in the remuneration of the Guowen Society.

Hong Feng stared at the contents of the newspaper. Regarding the requirements for the "Cloth Tiger Series", the Guowen Society listed very roughly, almost no hard and fast rules. They were all common sense things. He thought that he would finish writing soon. The "Bitter Realm" by the author made my heart beat.

Anyway, the result won't be worse, and it won't hurt to try it.

Hong Feng made up his mind and said this to himself.

Lin Weimin in the Chinese Language Society received a call from his old classmate Jin Ying.

Jin Ying and Lin Weimin are both students of the fifth batch of the Institute of Literature and Art. After graduation, they first worked as editors for a period of time, and then transferred to the Hebei Literature Association. Now they are the deputy leader and deputy secretary of the Federation of Literature and Art. chairman.

While the official career is prosperous, Jin Ying's creative path is also going well. Although she has not written many novels in recent years, she has published short and medium stories very frequently, which is worthy of the title of deputy leader of the Cultural Association.

Last year, there was an article in the fifth issue of "Contemporary Literary World" "The Gemini Constellation in the Literary World in the New Era - A Brief Discussion on the Combination of Huang Anyi and Jin Ying in the Creation Evolution", calling Jin Ying and Huang Anyi together as "China's New Era Literary World The Gemini Constellation", which shows the recognition of their literary achievements.

In June, she was named one of the "Top Ten Writers in China" by "Girlfriend" magazine.

Jin Ying called Lin Weimin this time, naturally because she saw the call for papers in the "Literary Story Newspaper".

"You, a big leader, still want to join in the fun?"

Facing Lin Weimin's ridicule, Jin Ying said frankly: "If the leader doesn't lead, I have to eat whole grains! Your Guowen Society is rich and powerful, and you are paying a sky-high price of 150 yuan per thousand characters. Let alone me, who can not?" Heartbeat? I don't think you'll be able to sleep peacefully these days."

What Jin Ying said was right. As soon as the call for papers on the "Literary Story" was published, the calls to the editorial offices of the Guowen Press were almost ringing off the hook in the morning.

150 words is 30 yuan, assuming a novel of 4 words is written, that is 5 yuan.

Once it is published in the future, maybe more will be taken.

This is 4 yuan, which is enough for ordinary people to work and earn for ten years.

Last year, Jin Ying's collection of short stories "Stacks of Wheat Straw" was published by Writers Publishing House. She only received 1 yuan in royalties, and the standard of 3 yuan for a thousand words is not low.

You know, "Stacks of Wheat Straw" contains 16 novellas by Jin Ying, with a total of nearly 29 words.

From such a comparison, we can see the astonishment of the remuneration standard of Guowen Society.

Even if Jin Ying is now the deputy head of the Cultural Association, it's hard not to be moved.

No matter how big the official is, he still has to eat!
"Haha, I can't wait! The more people come to me, the happier I am." Lin Weimin laughed loudly, in a good mood, and asked again: "What's the matter? If you are really interested in this essay contest, you can try it. We conditions are very relaxed.”

Jin Ying was moved, and then asked Lin Weimin about some hidden conditions for the "Cloth Tiger Series" essays.

As an old classmate, this benefit must be given.

"Cloth Tiger Series" has given a sky-high remuneration standard, and it must be a bestseller in order to get back the book, so the work should not be too highbrow, with a little popular element.

Of course, it is not good to be too popular, it is best to be able to appreciate both refined and popular tastes.

After listening to Lin Weimin's words, Jin Ying asked with a smile: "Listen to what you say, I'll just read your novels."

In domestic literary circles, many people recognize that Lin Weimin is the best writer who combines popularity with literariness and artistry.

"Hey, if you want to say this, when you go back to review, your work can be judged first." Lin Weimin joked.

"Just give priority to evaluation?"

"You're just flattering, what more do you want? Comrade Xiao Jin, you are also a cadre of D, don't keep thinking about these crooked things."

Lin Weimin's joke drew Jin Ying's slight spit.

After a few jokes, Jin Ying solemnly told Lin Weimin that she really wanted to try it.

She is now considered a well-known writer in China, and she wanted to participate in the "Cloth Tiger Series" soliciting essays. This is naturally a good thing, and Lin Weimin was happy to agree.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Weimin walked in front of the window, and couldn't help feeling a burst of pride in his heart that "all the heroes of the world are in the valley".

It's just that his eyes moved down, just in time to see Lao Cheng, who was having a meeting outside, walking into the courtyard, his footsteps were hurried, and it seemed that there was something urgent.

Unexpectedly, less than a minute later, the door of the office was suddenly pushed open.

Lao Cheng held a newspaper in his hand, angry, trembling and helpless, "What's going on?"

(End of this chapter)