Chapter 159 "Director Lin"
The November issue of "People's Literature" was released as scheduled. Lin Weimin's works once again occupied the prime position of the publication, attracting the attention of readers.
The single volume of Farewell My Concubine was published two months ago. During this period, sales have been very good. The initial wave of criticism has long subsided, replaced by various rave reviews.
Guowen Publishing House received feedback from bookstores across the country and plans to reprint the book this month, so Lin Weimin can receive another sum of royalties.
"The Sound of the Wind" was published this month. Taking advantage of this trend, the sales of the November issue of "People's Literature" are booming and are expected to set a new record.
In such a good situation, the news of the adaptation of "The Cliff" also appeared in newspapers because of Tang Guoqiang's performance, which also attracted considerable attention.
The name Lin Weimin has become extremely popular in the literary circle this year.
Yu Zhaohuai, the editor of Zhongshan, sent him a letter, asking him to write an article. It was not just Yu Zhaohuai. Lin Weimin received so many letters asking for articles that he even opened a special section on the bookshelf for readers' letters.
Faced with countless letters or phone calls requesting articles, Lin Weimin could only politely decline, as a person's energy is ultimately limited.
You can ignore other people’s commissioned works, but not Yu Zhaohuai’s.
If he had not had the foresight to publish "A Matter of One Cent", Lin Weimin would not be known where he is now.
Lin Weimin made a special call to Yu Zhaohuai, who was very happy to receive his call.
Since the beginning of this year, Lin Weimin's name has appeared in his ears so frequently that he can be compared with several other popular domestic writers in the past two years.
Recently, Lin Weimin published "The Sound of Wind" in "People's Literature". This is his third spy novel. His creative efficiency is simply amazing.
Yu Zhaohuai wrote him a letter to ask him to write an article out of curiosity. He also knew how busy Lin Weimin was now, and there were many publications across the country that wanted to ask him to write an article.
"Yes, yes, I'm really busy now. I'll just write a short story, please understand. OK, bye!"
Lin Weimin agreed to Yu Zhaohuai's request over the phone to write a short story to be published in Zhongshan.
After hanging up the phone, he had a headache. What kind of short story should he write?
Since you have promised them, you can't just muddle through.
He racked his brain but couldn't come up with any good ideas, so he had to put the matter aside for the time being.
As a writer, if you run out of inspiration, it's normal to wait for a year or two, and it's understandable.
I returned to the office and continued working, still panning for gold among the pile of manuscripts.
A letter from an author caught Lin Weimin's attention. This letter was not about submission of manuscript, but about discussing the issue of returning the manuscript with the editorial department.
Most writers usually only have one manuscript after writing it, which is sent to the editorial department or publishing house. There are editorial departments that return manuscripts these days, but there is only one in the country - Harvest.
The rule of returning manuscripts of "Harvest" was set by Ba Lao, and it has become one of the characteristics of the editorial department.
The author of the letter was not a famous writer. He had only published two short stories in "Contemporary" and was an amateur writer. In the letter, he said that he had average talent and that he would not have many opportunities to publish his works in a magazine of the level of "Contemporary" in his lifetime. He very much hoped to keep the manuscript of the published work as a commemoration.
Lin Weimin felt a little touched after reading the letter. Every work is like a child to an author. It is naturally a success if the child is published in a well-known publication, but it is also a pity if the child cannot return home because of this.
There was an editorial meeting the next day, so Lin Weimin brought up the matter.
This is not the first time that authors have expressed interest in returning manuscripts, nor is it the first time that editors have proposed doing so, but it will undoubtedly increase the workload of all editorial staff.
The biggest problem is the preservation of the manuscript. No one can guarantee whether the manuscript will be damaged or lost while in the editorial department. If the manuscript is promised to be returned, it will be a breach of contract for the author if it is damaged or lost.
Colleagues discussed for a long time, but everyone had their own opinions and could not reach a consensus. The biggest obstacle was that returning manuscripts was not an option for most editorial departments or publishing houses. Everyone just followed the crowd and hoped not to make mistakes.
Some people have also raised the argument that doing so would be tantamount to plagiarizing others' ideas.
In China, only Harvest has the habit of returning manuscripts. Although my colleagues in the editorial department don’t say it, everyone knows that the goal of Contemporary is to become the best pure literature magazine in China. Harvest is a huge mountain standing in our way.
Now we are learning from Harvest’s way of returning manuscripts to authors, but I feel that I am inferior to Harvest.
Qin Chaoyang, who was presiding over the meeting, saw that the discussion had not yet produced any results, so he knocked on the table to interrupt the discussion and said, "How about this? Let's vote on whether or not to implement this measure."
No one said anything and agreed to Qin Chaoyang's solution.
Lin Weimin raised his hand upon seeing this. According to everyone's previous debate, this matter would most likely be rejected, so he planned to fight for it.
"Editor-in-chief, I have something to say."
Qin Chaoyang pointed to Lin Weimin and said, "Speak."
Lin Weimin looked at his colleagues around him and said, "I particularly understand the difficulties you just mentioned. I am also a member of our editorial department. I acknowledge the troubles and impacts you just mentioned, but I want to share my views."
He put his hands on the table, leaned forward, and looked solemn.
“I would like to ask everyone, what is the goal of our Contemporary Times?”
In response to Lin Weimin's question, no one spoke, but told him with their eyes.
Lin Weimin asked himself and answered: "Yes, we want to be China's number one literary magazine."
"But what makes us the number one? The sales of our magazine in recent issues have already surpassed that of Harvest. Does this mean we can become the number one literary magazine in China?"
Lin Weimin shook his head, "I don't think so."
“The sales of a good publication are certainly important, but what is more important is our influence.
How do we build the influence of a publication? We rely on works, cultivating potential writers, planning special topics, the outstanding work ability of our editorial colleagues, and more importantly, cultivating the credibility of our editorial department. "
Lin Weimin spread his hands and asked, "What is credibility?"
“When people mention our Contemporary Magazine, they will say it is the best-selling literary magazine in China.”
"When people mention our Contemporary, they will say that the works they publish are the best and have stirred up the Chinese literary world!"
“When people mention our Contemporary Journal, they will say that we have the most professional editing team in China and countless authors have benefited from it!”
“When people mention our Contemporary Times, they will say that they have the most humanistic and caring editorial department.”
“I personally think that the first three points I mentioned above are the hardware of our editorial department and publication. The software is our humanistic temperament and care. How should this humanistic temperament and care be reflected?
I think returning manuscripts to writers is a good attempt.
A colleague just said that we are just repeating what Harvest said. I disagree. It is obviously a good thing, why are we afraid of being accused of repeating what others say? When did Contemporary become a publication that fears what others say?
It’s not that Lu Yao’s “A Thrilling Scene” was not well received by some publications, but why was it not published? Wasn’t it because the publications were concerned about the impact?
The reason why we at Contemporary are willing to publish is because our starting point is literature itself, not other considerations.
"Harvest" has its merits and is a three-good student among our domestic publications. So what's wrong with us studying hard?
Is it a good thing to just stay the same? "
When Lin Weimin said this, the expressions of his colleagues all became serious. He was the youngest in the editorial department and the latest to join the unit. Everyone felt uncomfortable being lectured by a junior like him with these words.
Lin Weimin also knew that his words were a bit harsh, and he really couldn't control his emotions for the moment, "That's all I have to say. Please forgive me if there is anything inconsiderate."
After he finished his speech, the meeting fell into a brief silence.
After more than ten seconds, Qin Chaoyang suddenly laughed out loud and said, "Young people like Weimin are still bold. Weimin is right. If we want to be the best in this field, we must show the courage to be the best in the country!"
"We all look up to him in the editorial department of the China Democratic League. He is not only a colleague but also a teacher. He has grown so much now. We should all be happy for him!"
Lin Weimin cast a grateful look at Qin Chaoyang. He knew that Qin Chaoyang was afraid that what he had said just now was too harsh and had offended his colleagues, so he was trying to make up for it.
Rong Shihui also joked: "You young people are full of energy, but you are going to make us old bones fall apart!"
Qin Chaoyang cooperated and said, "Let's do it! Aren't we old bones here to support the young people?"
"Hahaha!"
The two of them sang in unison and laughed, and the atmosphere of the meeting relaxed, as if the tone for the matter had been set.
After a few jokes, Qin Chaoyang put away his smile and said, "Okay, let's vote by raising our hands. Those who agree, raise your hands."
He finished speaking and raised his hand.
Next came Lin Weimin, then Long Shihui, and then colleagues raised their hands one by one.
Now that things have come to this, it would be embarrassing if you don’t raise your hand, or you’ll be called a loser!
When Lin Weimin saw that the proposal was passed, a smile appeared on his face unconsciously.
"It just so happens that our sixth issue of this year has already been published, so let's put this news in the first issue of 1982, which can be regarded as a good news to give back to all the authors."
When Qin Chaoyang said this, he caught a glimpse of Lin Weimin's smile, glared at him, and said, "Don't die yet. Do you think you can just talk big? You want to be the best in China, what a big tone, don't mention this yet. You are responsible for returning the manuscript. If the manuscript is lost or damaged, I will hold you accountable."
Lin Weimin exclaimed, "Stop, Leader!"
All the colleagues laughed out loud, and their laughter was full of joy and schadenfreude.
After all his colleagues left, Qin Chaoyang winked at Lin Weimin, and they both smiled knowingly.
How could one person be responsible for such a big matter as returning the manuscript? It requires the participation of all colleagues.
The reason why Qin Chaoyang said this was to protect Lin Weimin.
Naturally, he had to do his best to make the proposal he put forward. Even if some people who raised their hands just now were reluctant, they should let go of the discomfort in their hearts after seeing Lin Weimin reaping the fruits of his own action.
When he returned to the office, Lin Weimin was inevitably teased by his colleagues, who said that he was half the boss of the editorial department, and the same was true of the reader survey suggestion he had made earlier.
Yao Shuzhi casually called out the name "Director Lin", which was unanimously agreed upon as Lin Weimin's nickname.
A few days later, Lin Weimin received a call from Yu Zhaohuai, asking him how his work was going. The editorial department of Zhongshan planned to put his work in the first issue of the year.
Lin Weimin thought that a short story wouldn't take much time, so he said, "It will be done soon, in just a few days."
After Yu Zhaohuai's call urging him to submit his manuscript, Farewell My Concubine was reprinted and Lin Weimin received another bill for his manuscript payment from the publishing house. This time, the publishing house was generous and directly printed an additional 500,000 copies. Lin Weimin's small treasury swelled instantly.
After buying the second courtyard next to the Forbidden City, he had only 9,000 yuan left in his small treasury. During this period, he received the adaptation fees of "The Cliff", the publication fees of "The Sound of the Wind", and the reprint fees of "Farewell My Concubine", and his small treasury almost returned to the level before buying the second courtyard.
At dinner, Lin Weimin was in a good mood and added a dish, most of which went into Han Zhuangzhuang's stomach.
After packing up his things, Lin Weimin hid in the study. He was still considering the manuscript he had agreed to write for Yu Zhaohuai.
I have thought of many topics these days, but I always feel that they are not suitable for short stories.
Lin Weimin thought of his first work "A Matter of One Cent" which was published in "Zhongshan". The article was entirely based on "one cent" as the introduction, introducing a stubborn character and a thought-provoking story.
He thought back to that work and found that his handling of many parts was still too immature, so he decided to tell a new story based on this core.
Thinking of this, Lin Weimin suddenly remembered a work by Zhang Yimou that he had seen before.
This work should be regarded as the most underrated of all Zhang Yimou's works. The whole film is wrapped in the shell of an urban light comedy, but it tells one of the eternal topics of mankind since ancient times - communication.
It seems light-hearted, humorous, absurd and uninhibited, but in fact it is full of philosophical thoughts.
Lin Weimin felt that he could completely combine this work to create an interesting new work, which was different from the style of his previous works and more similar to "The Death of Euler", but more humorous and absurd.
For creators, breaking out of their comfort zone is the most uncomfortable thing, but it is also a great opportunity for inspiration.
As soon as the thought came to his mind, Lin Weimin never stopped writing and even forgot about time.
When he woke up from the world he had created, the sky was already dawning.
Lin Weimin then felt the fatigue from not sleeping all night, but he was still a little excited and didn't want to rest.
Looking back at the new work he had written last night with a sober perspective, he frowned.
I was completely immersed in self-satisfaction last night, and what I wrote was a little too exaggerated. I should be more restrained. Lin Weimin plans to revise it before sending it to Yu Zhaohuai.
(End of this chapter)
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