Chapter 167 An Unauthorized Visit
The next morning, the sun was shining brightly.
Nan Zhiyi moved Xiaoman's crib to the window so that he could get some sun, and then sat at her desk, lost in thought as she looked at the ideas on her manuscript.
The faint sound of Sister Zhang talking to someone could be heard downstairs. After a while, footsteps came upstairs, and Sister Zhang knocked on the door: "Sister-in-law, there are guests downstairs looking for you."
Nan Zhiyi was somewhat surprised and carried Xiaoman downstairs.
In the living room stood a middle-aged man, around forty years old, wearing glasses and with a refined demeanor.
Upon seeing her, the man immediately stepped forward and introduced himself: "You must be Comrade Nan Zhiyi? I apologize for bothering you, but I am Lin Yuan, an editor at People's Literature magazine."
Nan Zhiyi was surprised and quickly invited Lin Yuan to sit down on the sofa.
Sister Zhang served tea and, with great tact, took Xiaoman from her and coaxed her to make it easier for them to talk.
Nan Zhiyi felt a little uneasy, not understanding why he would suddenly come to visit.
"Editor Lin, hello. I wonder what brings you here today..."
The acceptance notices and revision comments received by Nan Zhiyi for the several short stories she sent to People's Literature were all signed by editor Lin Yuan.
The two exchanged several letters but never met in person.
Lin Yuan accepted the teacup, thanked him, and said in a very humble manner, "Comrade Nan Zhiyi, there's no need to be nervous. I'm here today because of the long manuscript you sent to the editorial department some time ago."
“I have read it carefully and considered it for a long time. I just happened to see that the address indicated that you had arrived in the capital, so I took the liberty of coming here to talk to you in person.”
Nan Zhiyi's heart jumped: "Is...is there a problem with the manuscript? Is the subject matter unsuitable?"
That was the first thing that came to her mind.
Currently, science fiction writing is not mainstream, and is even considered somewhat risky.
"No, no, no, you've misunderstood." Lin Yuan quickly waved his hand, his tone becoming excited. "On the contrary. Comrade Nan Zhiyi, your book 'The Star Whisperer' is exceptionally well-written! When I first read it, I thought it was the work of some senior scientist."
But the more I read, the more astonished I became by the future world you constructed from a female perspective. It was so delicate and realistic that it felt immersive, and the entanglement of technology and humanity was portrayed with remarkable depth. The sense of dread stemming from the unknown and loneliness was handled with extreme restraint yet possessed a powerful, lingering impact, leaving a chilling aftertaste even after finishing the book. I never imagined the author was so young.
Nan Zhiyi was taken aback by his straightforward and professional praise, and humbly said, "Editor Lin, you flatter me. I was just rambling, and the writing is still very rough. I don't deserve such high praise."
"I'm proud to say that in my more than ten years of editing work, I have rarely read a science fiction work with such a grand concept and such delicate execution. It is both a science fiction that looks to the future and a profound allegory of human nature that reflects reality. It is very unique and has great potential."
He explained his true purpose: "Comrade Nan Zhiyi, I am here on behalf of the editorial department to express our hope that your novel, *The Star Whisperer*, can be officially serialized. We believe that although the subject matter is unique, its core ideas and artistry perfectly align with our publication's aspirations. If you agree, we can discuss the serialization details and payment standards in detail. What do you think?"
Upon hearing Lin Yuan's words, Nan Zhiyi was thrilled and quickly replied, "Editor Lin, it is my honor that you and your esteemed publication have appreciated this immature work. I am naturally more than willing to serialize it."
Her previous submissions were indeed quite diverse, ranging from slice-of-life novels depicting family emotions to short stories with a touch of the supernatural. This attempt at a science fiction novel was a bold breakthrough, and the recognition she received finally put her mind at ease.
Lin Yuan was delighted to see her agree so readily: "That's wonderful! Comrade Nan Zhiyi, to be honest, from your first short story to that folk tale-like tale, although the themes are different, one can see the brilliance in your writing and your keen observation of life. When I saw 'The Star Whisperer' this time, I was truly astonished. The speed and leap of your progress are beyond my imagination. How did you come up with the idea of writing such a novel this time?"
Nan Zhi pondered for a moment, then said frankly, "Actually... it's also a kind of solace. Sometimes life can make you feel confined to a small space, but thoughts can fly very far. I want to build an unknown world and put my thoughts on some issues into it."
She smiled a little sheepishly, "It might sound a bit presumptuous."
"No, very good. Writers need this kind of imagination and courage."
Lin Yuan nodded approvingly, his expression becoming even more serious. "Besides representing the editorial department to finalize the serialization arrangements, I also came here with another message from the editor-in-chief. He believes that 'Star Whisperer' is not only suitable for serialization but also has the value of independent publication. Our publishing house hopes to release it as a standalone book after you finish the manuscript. That's why I took the liberty of coming here to hear about your creative plans in person."
publishing?
Nan Zhiyi's heart skipped a beat.
This was a height she had never dared to imagine before.
Lin Yuan then asked, "How much longer do you expect it to take to complete this work? Approximately how much has been completed so far?"
Nan Zhiyi made a mental estimate.
She has limited time to write each day, mainly while Xiaoman is sleeping. "I've already written about 100,000 words. If all goes well, I'll try to finish the entire manuscript by the end of the year, which is about five months from now."
The book is planned to be around 400,000 words long.
Lin Yuan: "Today is July 25th. If the manuscript can be submitted by the end of the year, the editorial department will need time for proofreading and typesetting. Considering the serialization period... if we start serializing from the August 1976 issue, with each issue containing about 16,000 to 17,000 words, it will take about two years to complete the entire serialization."
"As for the publication of the standalone edition, it will be arranged as soon as possible after the serialization ends, depending on reader feedback and market conditions. If all goes well, the book should be available by the end of 1977 or the beginning of 1978. What do you think of this arrangement?"
Nan Zhiyi suppressed her excitement and nodded earnestly: "Editor Lin, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity your magazine and publishing house have given me, and I have no objections whatsoever. I will definitely finish writing the subsequent parts carefully and live up to your expectations."
Seeing her sincere attitude, Lin Yuan appreciated her even more: "Good, good! Comrade Nan Zhiyi, it's good that you have this determination. If you encounter any difficulties during the writing process, or if there are any parts that need to be discussed and revised, you can write to me at any time, or we can discuss it in detail when I visit you next time. I will definitely do my best to provide assistance."
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