Chapter 518: Interview with The New Yorker
Founded in 1925, The New Yorker is an important comprehensive magazine in the American journalism and cultural circles. Its content is mainly non-fiction works, including reports and comments on politics, international affairs, popular culture and art, science and technology, and business.
Some literary works are also published, mainly short stories and poems, as well as humorous sketches and comics.
Richard Yates, who wrote novels all his life but could not support himself with his royalties, had his works rejected countless times by The New Yorker magazine. It was not until the ninth anniversary of his death that his work was published by The New Yorker, and that was in the name of a memorial.
The articles published in The New Yorker are mostly humorous and capable, and Richard Yates's realistic and cold style is incompatible with this publication.
After more than half a century of development, The New Yorker has become a household name in the United States and is highly respected by the American cultural community. It has many fans in Western countries around the world.
David Morris interviewed Lin Weimin for more than two hours, and a week later compiled the interview into a 15,000-word article published in the latest issue of The New Yorker.
"On a weekday in May, at 9:30 a.m., Lin Weimin, a Chinese writer who was too young to be young, opened the door of his temporary apartment in Manhattan, New York.
He doesn't like to be interviewed, especially by Western journalists. According to him, it is the different ways of thinking that hinder communication. Of course, the most important thing is that he doesn't like what he says to become useless nonsense.
In his opinion, it is far less reassuring to have the pen in one's own hands than to have it in someone else's.
Lin Weimin is not unfamiliar to many American readers. In recent years, American readers and audiences have increasingly heard and seen his name in various media, literary works, and dramas.
But readers don’t know much about this writer from faraway China. This visit will give you a comprehensive introduction to this talented Chinese writer.
..."
As a senior journalist with 20 years of experience, David Morris's writing skills are undoubtedly excellent. The interview process that day was also very pleasant. After reading the entire article, readers can see the positive image of Lin Weimin.
Arthur Miller put down the newspaper and looked at Lin Weimin with a smile, "Lin, you really should accept more interviews!"
"Come on, dealing with these reporters is such a headache."
"David Morris is not an easy reporter to deal with. He praised you generously in his article, which fully demonstrates your talent in this area."
Lin Weimin ignored Arthur Miller's ridicule and said, "You guys can decide the casting. This play will be performed in the United States. I can't follow it from beginning to end. There's no need for me to intervene in everything."
Seeing his sincere attitude, Arthur Miller stopped talking about casting and instead asked about Lin Weimin's schedule.
"I talked to people in China over the phone a few days ago and learned that I can't go back anytime soon. I'll be staying in the U.S. for the time being. I plan to take Huimin out more often while I have time. We've been staying in New York long enough."
Arthur Miller nodded and said, "That's fine. You don't need to worry about Farewell My Concubine for now. You can go out and have fun without worry."
As the two were talking, the phone at Arthur Miller's house rang. After he answered the call, Lin Weimin said goodbye and left.
Back at Dakota Apartments, Tao Huimin told Lin Weimin that someone called in the morning.
"It's Mr. Roger Strauss, whom I met at Anne's last week, and he wants to invite you for a cup of coffee. What can he want from you?"
Tao Huimin has made a lot of progress in her language skills over the past month, but she could only half understand what Roger Strauss said that day. If she had understood everything, she would probably understand what Roger Strauss meant by calling Lin Weimin.
"It should be about the novel..." Lin Weimin explained to Tao Huimin.
Turn left at 79th Street and go straight ahead, and you will see the Hudson River at the end.
There is a cafe by the river called The Boathouse.
The wind blowing from the Hudson River is cool, gentle, and has a salty smell. The quiet docks are filled with yachts, symbolizing the prosperity of New York City.
Roger Strauss was sitting in the open-air area of the cafe by the river, wearing a pair of sunglasses, with a cup of coffee on the table next to him, looking leisurely and comfortable.
But all this was broken by Lin Weimin's arrival. "Mr. Strauss, you really are a person who knows how to enjoy life."
Roger Strauss heard the voice, stood up and greeted Lin Weimin, then the two 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 personal charm," Roger Strauss joked.
“It was just a good chat, David Morris is a very good interviewer.”
After a few pleasantries, the topic came to a halt at some point.
After a short pause, Roger Strauss said, "Lin, I think you should know why I invited you to have coffee today."
"I can probably guess."
Roger Strauss looked at him and told him the purpose of today, "We at FSG Publishing House hope to obtain the publishing rights to your work."
Lin Weimin said calmly, "Mr. Strauss, my cooperation with Random House is quite pleasant. There is no reason to change publishers."
“It’s not a change of publisher, it’s just that there is one more cooperating publisher.”
Roger Strauss had obviously already made a plan. When Lin Weimin heard his words, he looked at him with some surprise.
Roger Strauss was very satisfied with Lin Weimin's response. "Lin, I never overestimate the influence of FSG in the author's heart. I came to you today just to find a suitable start for the cooperation between the two parties."
Roger Strauss's actions and moves fully demonstrated the qualities of an excellent businessman. These few words even left Lin Weimin with no reason to refuse.
You have a publishing house you work with, right? But you wouldn’t mind having one more, right?
"But... Mr. Strauss, all my works published in the United States have signed exclusive agreements with Random House." Lin Weimin said.
"But that's not all your works, right? Besides, you're still so young, your future works..."
Roger Strauss paused here, and his meaning was self-evident.
Lin Weimin hesitated for a moment and then said, "It's true that some of my works have not been published in the United States, but you should be able to guess why Random House did not choose these novels. Do you think these works will sell well in the United States?"
"Lin, the biggest difference between our FSG Publishing House and Random House is that we are willing to grow with writers. You don't think that a publishing house that mainly focuses on literary works can have many best-selling works, do you?" Roger Strauss said with a relaxed smile.
Roger Strauss's attitude was very pleasant. Lin Weimin asked, "Now that you've said that, I really can't think of a reason to refuse."
"Then your subsequent works..."
This is the question that Roger Strauss mentioned just now, but Lin Weimin did not answer.
Roger Strauss wanted to publish those novels that were originally screened out by Random House. Without the restrictions of a publishing contract, Lin Weimin was naturally happy to earn more royalties. However, if he wanted to get the publishing rights for his subsequent works, a few nice words from Roger Strauss were not enough.
"Mr. Strauss, with all due respect, I can't find any reason to give you the publishing rights for subsequent works," Lin Weimin said bluntly.
Roger Strauss was not surprised. He said frankly, "Lin, if you are willing to become a U.S. citizen, I am sure that within five years I can help you win the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, the three major mainstream literary awards."
"Mr. Strauss, I have to admit that your offer is very tempting..."
Lin Weimin's words made Roger Strauss's face flash with joy, "However, it is impossible for me to become an American citizen. A writer who leaves his motherland is like a rootless duckweed."
Before Roger Strauss could even feel happy, Lin Weimin poured cold water on him. He suppressed his inner disappointment and continued, "That's right. You've already won big awards like the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Prix Goncourt. The Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award are nothing special to you."
He looked at Lin Weimin again, his eyes burning, "So, what about the Nobel Prize in Literature?"
Lin Weimin laughed and said, "Can you promise me that you will win the Nobel Prize in Literature?"
Roger Strauss's eyes flickered, and he finally said, "Five years. Within five years, I guarantee that you can be nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature. But winning the prize requires a certain amount of luck, and I can't guarantee it to you."
Lin Weimin's face was calm, and he said in a calm tone: "Since you have read the report in The New Yorker, Mr. Strauss, you should know my attitude towards the Nobel Prize in Literature."
Roger Strauss couldn't help but frown when he heard this. He didn't lie. He did read the report in The New Yorker, but he never thought that what Lin Weimin said in the report was true. It was 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 major literary awards in the world, including the Nobel Prize in Literature. He has never met a writer who refused to accept the award.
"Lin, it's better to win a prize than not to win one, right? Besides, this is the Nobel Prize for Literature, which writer would refuse it?"
Lin Weimin nodded and said, "You're right. Maybe when the Nobel Prize in Literature is really 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. After all, the price was not negotiated yet!
He looked at Lin Weimin with a complicated look in his eyes, unable to guess what this young writer was thinking.
You can say he is aloof, but he refused to cooperate with others because he could not promise the Nobel Prize. You can say he is snobbish, but he refused the opportunity to be nominated for the Nobel Prize without reservation.
"Lin, you will win the award if you are nominated many times." Roger Strauss tried to persuade Lin Weimin without giving up.
Lin Weimin laughed and said, "Mr. Strauss, winning an award is winning an award, and it has nothing to do with the nomination. Let's talk about the publication of those novels!"
Lin Weimin's attitude completely disappointed Roger Strauss. It seemed that there was no way to convince this young man today.
He looked at Lin Weimin deeply. He had come into contact with countless difficult writers over the years and would never be discouraged just because he was rejected by Lin Weimin once.
Experience has taught him that as long as there is a glimmer of hope, there is a chance of success.
He has read all of Lin Weimin's works published in the United States, including his plays.
Roger Strauss had never seen a writer like Lin Weimin who could both win awards and sell well.
Writers like Roger Strauss are extremely rare even in the history of American literature.
FSG Publishing has no shortage of award-winning writers, but it lacks writers whose works can become bestsellers.
Roger Strauss's eyes were firm.
This Lin Ke is a treasure, he wants her!
It's standing up!
(End of this chapter)
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