The literary era since 1979

Chapter 156 The walking money printing press
After the literary symposium ended, there were only a few people left in the huge reception room. Among the translators, only Yoko Suzuki stayed to act as a mouthpiece for Fangyan and Shunjiro Suzuki.

Zhang Guangnian also sat aside as a witness.

Suzuki Shunjiro said that the Yuhikaku Kyoto branch would definitely introduce "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog", but the specific publishing arrangements needed to be discussed in a meeting, and then reported to the headquarters for approval.

The same goes for the department’s recommendation list.

"We can totally understand that."

Zhang Guangnian and Fang Yan looked at each other.

"However, there are some things that I can decide."

Suzuki Shunjiro said in a serious tone, for example, this manuscript fee.

After hearing this, Fangyan was no longer sleepy and became more energetic.

There are two types of remuneration models in Japan: one is the royalty method, and the other is the one-time buyout method, also called the "purchased manuscript." After the buyout, the author will not receive any remuneration even if the work is reprinted or republished in the future.

Is this something you need to consider? Choose royalties without a second thought!

"I suppose so."

Shunjiro Suzuki said that in the Japanese publishing industry, the standard for payment of royalties is usually calculated based on how much money is paid per page of manuscript paper with 400 words.

Because the commonly used manuscript paper in Japan is 400 words, and Yuhikaku also has reference precedents and standards for writers who are famous in other countries, such as Fangyan, and the price is basically 3000 yen per page.

"About 40 yen."

Fangyan did some calculation in his mind.

"This is just the basic remuneration, and there are royalties."

Suzuki Shunjiro told it all.

Japan's royalty rate is generally between 8% and 14%. Only the top and best-selling writers can enjoy a 14% royalty rate.

If it is a light novel, that is, an entertainment novel that uses anime-style illustrations and has a dialogue-based plot, 2% of the royalties must be distributed to the illustrator responsible for the painting.

There are similar rules for translation, and at least 2% of the royalties must be given to the translator.

Yuhikaku is a benchmark in the Japanese publishing industry. In accordance with current industry practices, for works that have not been published in magazines, authors receive a 12% royalty. If the work has already been published or has been published in a library, the author can only get 10%.

Of course, this regulation only applies within Japan.

Chinese writers like Fang Yan can get 12% of the royalties for his book "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog".

What's more, this is the result of the literary exchange between the two countries!
“The reason why “That Mountain, That Man, That Dog” is so outstanding is entirely due to Mr. Fang’s original work itself.”

"We have only done a small amount of work, and we would like to thank Teacher Fang for giving us this opportunity!"

Yoko Suzuki refused to share the royalties.

Fangyan waved his hand, although if he had handed it over to the staff of Yuhikaku for translation, he would not have to share the royalties.

But even if we don’t consider the hard work of Yoko Suzuki and Yui Hashimoto, we should also consider the relationship between Yoko Suzuki and Shunjiro Suzuki.

Being tied to Yoko Suzuki's interests, how could Shunjiro Suzuki not pay more attention and work harder on "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog"?
Dear Minister Suzuki, you don’t want your daughter’s first translation to fail, do you?

After some friendly negotiations and excuses, Yoko Suzuki reluctantly agreed to the 2% royalties.

Yoko Suzuki still felt that what Teacher Fang gave her was too much, and she looked embarrassed.

On the other hand, compared to before, Suzuki Shunjiro looked kinder, smiled more brightly, and spoke in a less rigid manner.

"Mr. Fang, our royalty income is the price of the book multiplied by the royalty rate, multiplied by the sales volume."

“Is this the actual total number of units sold?”

"Yay yay, it's the print run."

Suzuki Shunjiro raised his hand and glanced at Suzuki Yoko.

Fangyan knocked on the table. According to the rules of the Japanese publishing industry, once a book is printed, the author must be paid, even if it is gathering dust in the warehouse. Not a penny less!

If the selling price of a book is 1000 yen and the print run is 12 copies, you can get 100 million yen at a % royalty rate. Because payment is based on print run, you still have to share the money with the author if the book is reprinted or republished.

No wonder Japanese writers feel so comfortable, it’s like they’re picking up money.

“You can print more copies of That Mountain, That Man, That Dog.”

"Because this is also a good work that praises the professionalism of postmen." Suzuki Shunjiro said: "Perhaps a considerable number of post offices will be willing to invest in ordering some."

Fangyan raised his eyebrows and asked about the number of post offices in Japan. Suzuki Shunjiro replied that there are about 2 post offices, of which about 1.6 are "special post offices". The directors of "special post offices" are hereditary, and there are about 5 post office employees. If each post office itself subscribes to three or five books, it is estimated that there will be more than copies.

"And that doesn't even include the mail carrier himself."

Fangyan stared at him straight.

"And there are also the vast number of Japanese readers outside the post office."

Suzuki Shunjiro added.

Zhang Guangnian couldn't help but be shocked. In this case, the royalties from "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" alone might be at least millions of yen.

A prose novel can actually generate millions of yen in foreign exchange! ?
………………

After discussing the specific matters such as the royalties, Fang Yan and Suzuki Shunjiro and his daughter parted at the door of the reception room.

In the Japanese publishing industry, payment in installments and payment several months after publication are rare exceptions.

The payment of manuscript fees is basically settled in one lump sum, and the deadline is generally no more than two months from the receipt of the original manuscript.

In other words, once the publication of "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" is confirmed, this money printing machine can be started at the latest in two months.

Moreover, it is a continuous source of foreign exchange for dialects.

Although it's not US dollars, it's Japanese yen.

But even if not a penny was spent and left alone, after the Plaza Accord, the price would have continued to rise sharply.

However, these days, individuals cannot privately store foreign exchange, nor are they allowed to deposit foreign exchange overseas.

The country is currently facing a shortage of foreign exchange reserves and is trying every possible means to earn foreign exchange. Otherwise, it would not have sold a bunch of firecrackers to the big buyers in Sha.

"Brother, you don't have to tell me, I know what to do."

Fangyan said that he had no objection to converting the money into RMB.

Zhang Guangnian looked at him with great satisfaction and praised his junior fellow apprentice for his high level of ideological awareness.

Fangyan changed the subject and smiled: "But can we negotiate and exchange this money into foreign exchange certificates?"

Zhang Guangnian didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "I just praised you a few words, and you, you are such a little rascal!"

Fang Yan said, "I'm thinking that if I do this in private with such a large amount of money, it would be against the law. That's not okay. So I'm thinking about whether I can file an application report. I don't ask for all of it to be exchanged, but a part of it will be fine."

"Your application is not impossible to consider."

Zhang Guangnian pondered for a moment, "After all, this is definitely not the only time you can earn foreign exchange for the country."

Fang Yan nodded and said, "Brother, that's a good idea. If That Mountain, That Man, That Dog performs well in Japan, we can establish a cooperative relationship with Yuhikaku and earn foreign exchange for the country in a sustainable way."

“‘Sustainable’ is a fancy word.”

"Hey, Brother, what do you think?"

"It's not impossible."

Zhang Guangnian smiled and said, "But you have to create more in the future and generate foreign exchange for the country sustainably."

"That's natural!"

Fangyan thanked him with satisfaction.

According to the current RMB to Japanese yen exchange rate, 100 Japanese yen is equal to more than 7 RMB.

The basic remuneration of 40 is equivalent to 2.8 RMB.

“This time it might be millions of yen.”

Zhang Guangnian joked, "When you can earn millions of dollars, maybe I can award you a National Advanced Individual."

"Don't bother me with your pleasure."

Dialects, as human money printing machines, just smile.

If you can't stick to the principle of using it to the fullest, just lock yourself in a small room and whip him every day to write novels.

Although I am as prolific as a sow, the pigs in the production team don't give birth that much.

(End of this chapter)