Chapter 329 Book Signing
With summer vacation halfway over, Lin Yuan called Nan Zhiyi to invite her to the magazine office to sign a new book contract.
Once the two sat down in the magazine's guest room, Lin Yuan raised his voice.
"Comrade Zhiyi! Great news! Fantastic news! The publishing house has decided to reprint your first two standalone books! 80,000 copies of each book, and 100,000 copies of the prequel!"
Nan Zhiyi was also pleasantly surprised, "Great! Of course I support the company's decision, but if we reprint it again..."
Knowing her concerns, Lin Yuan said, "In the past year or two, social trends have been changing. Everyone is eager to learn, especially young people, who are increasingly fond of reading and pursuing trendy and imaginative things. Your two books have hit this point perfectly, and their publication is just in time!"
Nan Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief. "The book's success is inseparable from the magazine, and even more so from your and the editors' hard work, as well as the readers' support. I was just doing my duty as an author."
Lin Yuan laughed heartily: "Alright, alright, Comrade Zhiyi, let's stop flattering each other. Let's get down to business. The book you're currently serializing in the magazine will probably continue for another six months. The publishing house is already working on the typesetting, and it's expected to be available to readers by the end of the year."
Nan Zhiyi nodded and took a sip of tea.
Lin Yuandao said, "The publishing house would like to ask for your opinion on whether you would consider holding one or two book signing events in Beijing or Shanghai, as a way of giving back to our readers."
Upon hearing this, Nan Zhiyi instinctively wanted to decline.
She is now rather quiet and doesn't like being the center of attention. She also feels that her qualifications and achievements are far from being enough to hold a book signing event.
"Editor Lin, this...this is too grand. I feel I'm far from qualified to hold a book signing event; I really can't handle such a scene. It's better to let the work itself speak for itself."
Lin Yuan didn't press the issue: "There's no rush. We respect your wishes. We can discuss it again when you feel the time is right."
He didn't say anything more and took out the contract he had prepared in advance from the drawer.
"Comrade Zhiyi, these are the contracts for the reprint of the first two books, as well as the publishing contract for the new book's standalone edition. Please take a look."
Nan Zhiyi took the contract and carefully read through it.
The terms are similar to the previous ones, except for an increase in the royalty rate.
The royalties for the first two reprints were 11%, while the royalties for the new book were set at 12%.
She wasn't one to haggle over small gains, and since she had a pleasant working relationship with Lin Yuan and trust had already been established, she didn't hesitate much and signed her name in the designated spot.
Seeing that the ink had dried, Lin Yuan carefully put away the contract, feeling a weight lifted from his heart.
Then he started his usual cliché: "Comrade Zhiyi, the contract has been signed, and you see... the summer vacation is more than halfway over, shouldn't we put the idea for the new book on the agenda? You mustn't let your brilliant writing go to waste!"
Nan Zhiyi smiled helplessly, "Editor Lin, your skill in urging me to submit my manuscript is getting more and more profound. I will think about it carefully. Once I have a preliminary outline, I will call you to report, okay? Please let me catch my breath and rest for a couple of days."
"Alright, alright, you're a great writer, you're in charge!" Seeing that she had relented, Lin Yuan decided to stop while he was ahead and stood up with a smile. "I'll see you off."
The two walked out while talking.
Looking at Nan Zhiyi, who had a calm and gentle demeanor beside him, Lin Yuan felt a mix of pride and emotion.
The pen name "Huaiwei" is quite famous now. It was a gem he discovered from numerous submissions, overcoming all opposition back then.
Her book sold well, and the magazine's sales and influence also rose accordingly. As the editor, he naturally shared in the glory, and his bonuses and performance improved significantly.
He sincerely hopes that Nan Zhiyi will continue to create and write more good works.
As soon as they reached the outer office of the magazine, they both froze.
There were seven or eight magazine employees standing around, including young proofreaders and logistics staff, each holding a book. Looking at the cover, they were all different versions of Nan Zhiyi's novels.
As soon as she came out, the crowd cautiously surrounded her.
A young female editor spoke first, "Comrade Huaiwei! We, we are all your readers! Our relatives and friends know that I work at the magazine and they keep pestering us for your autograph. Could you... please sign your autograph for us?"
Once she started it, others quickly echoed her sentiments:
"Yes, Teacher Huaiwei, my sister especially loves your books!"
"I got it for my uncle; he's a huge fan of yours!"
"I'll only sign one book, just one!"
Everyone was talking at once, making the scene quite lively.
Some people were carrying one or two books, some were carrying three or four, but one young man was carrying a thick stack, probably more than ten books. Editor Lin saw him at a glance and scolded him sternly: "Xiao Wang! What kind of behavior is this! Why are you carrying so many? Do you think you're doing a wholesale sale? Don't cause trouble for Comrade Zhiyi!"
Nan Zhiyi smiled and smoothed things over, "It's alright, Editor Lin, it's no trouble at all."
She looked at the waiting employees and said, "Don't worry, I'll sign for you right away."
Lin Yuan led her to a desk and sat her down. "Please sit down." He then gestured for everyone to line up, "One at a time."
Nan Zhiyi took the book handed to her and carefully signed "Huaiwei" in cursive script with the fountain pen she carried with her. Occasionally, she would also write a simple message upon request.
Those who received the autographs were all smiles and thanked them repeatedly.
Young Wang, blushing, clutched ten signed books, repeatedly saying, "Thank you, Comrade Huaiwei! Thank you! I promise I'm just helping people carry these; I'll never resell them..."
Before he could finish speaking, his colleagues behind him pushed him out of the line, saying, "Come on, it's my turn!"
Nan Zhiyi only had time to smile at Xiao Wang before continuing to lower her head and sign her name.
Unexpectedly, news of Nan Zhiyi signing autographs at the magazine spread quickly.
At first, it was just people from a few nearby offices. Later, colleagues from other departments who heard the news and had her book also rushed over with their books. The line not only did not shorten, but gradually grew longer.
Some people who didn't have any books on hand suddenly had a bright idea: they found brand-new notebooks or bookmarks and hurriedly joined the queue.
Looking at the somewhat out-of-control scene, Lin Yuan felt both happy for Nan Zhiyi and a little sorry for her, afraid that she would find it annoying.
He put on a stern face and, feigning annoyance, addressed the later-arriving crowd, especially those carrying notebooks and bookmarks: "Are you people really...have you ever been so unreasonable? Comrade Huaiwei is here to discuss work, not to hold a book signing! That's enough!"
His colleagues who arrived later were a little embarrassed by his words and laughed, begging for forgiveness.
"Editor Lin, just one signature, just one!"
"That's right, we are Comrade Huaiwei's loyal readers!"
"I guarantee I'll leave right after signing, without wasting any time!"
Nan Zhiyi continued signing her name, then looked up and smiled, "Editor Lin, it's alright, it's not much anyway. It's my honor if everyone likes it."
Her words reassured everyone, and knowing they could get autographs today, the line immediately moved forward a few more steps.
Nan Zhiyi then continued to focus on signing autographs and writing messages.
After finally signing autographs for the last colleague, Nan Zhiyi gently moved her slightly sore wrists.
Lin Yuan felt genuinely bad about it and quickly saw her off, saying, "Thank you for your hard work, Comrade Zhiyi. I really didn't expect things to turn out this way today. You've gone to so much trouble."
Seeing his slightly embarrassed expression, Nan Zhiyi said in a serious tone, "Well, it is a bit tiring. Then... Editor Lin, shouldn't I rest for a few more days and take a good break? And please don't rush me to finish the manuscript for now?"
Lin Yuan was taken aback by her outmaneuver. He was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Alright, alright, leave approved! Leave is a must! You should rest well and recharge your energy. We...we'll contact you again later!"
"But you said it yourself."
Nan Zhiyi smiled and said goodbye to him, "Editor Lin, I'm going back now."
Lin Yuan watched her walk away before strutting back to his office with a smug look on his face.
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