Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 36 You have set a precedent in the history of Chinese book publishing
On a chilly spring night, the administrative building of Changfu No. 3 Middle School was brightly lit, and the small meeting room on the third floor was bustling with people.

Representatives from 17 publishing houses and cultural companies across the country arrived early and gathered together, waiting for the show to begin.

Yes, there are 5 more companies than what Wang Qiaoshan and Shan Yingqi saw before, and they all called in the past two days.

In fact, there were more than just five companies that called. However, after hearing about the fierce competition, some other publishing houses weighed their own strengths and chose to withdraw.

In addition, publishing houses like the People's Literature Publishing House, which are solemn and serious, did not participate.

But it can also be said that the 17 publishing houses now in the conference room are the essence of domestic publishing industry's literature, especially youth literature.

Most of the editors knew each other, so the atmosphere of the chat was very lively, but they were also very cautious, for fear of accidentally revealing the cards given to them by their leaders.

Finally, at seven o'clock, after the bell for evening self-study rang, Zhang Chao followed the principal Wu Xingyu into the meeting room. Everyone fell silent.

Wu Xingyu said a few words and sat aside. He knew that he was not the protagonist today, but as the principal, he thought it was necessary for him to be there to support his students.

Finally it was Zhang Chao's turn. He habitually flicked the microphone before saying, "First of all, thank you all for your love of the novel "Youth Like You". I won't beat around the bush. Let me talk about my writing plan first. According to the writing outline I have conceived, the length of this novel should be around 20 words, and it may reach 22 or 23 words. I have completed one-third of it. Therefore, it can definitely be an independent book, and it won't be too thin."

The editorial representatives present breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

The cost and profit structure of a formally published book is relatively transparent:
Take a book with a retail price of 20 yuan as an example. 8% of the book, about 1.6 yuan, is the author's royalties (average, the same below); 25% is about 5 yuan, which is the printing fee and paper cost; 30% is about 6 yuan, which is the profit of the retailer; 12% is about 2.5 yuan, which is the profit of the middle channel dealer. The remaining 25% is about 5 yuan, which is the profit of the publisher.

If the book is thicker, the price can theoretically be higher, so that the publisher can make more money and have stronger bargaining power with the channel. Readers are also more willing to pay for books that appear thicker.

Of course, pricing is not entirely linked to the thickness of the book. Although the printing cost is very "hard", the marginal effect is very obvious. The more pages and the higher the print run, the lower the cost per page.

Pricing is closely tied to the book's sales expectations, so whether the author is well-known, whether the subject matter is popular, and whether the content is topical enough are the key factors in determining the price.

For example, the first edition of Han Han's "Three Congmen" had 22 words, but at that time, Chinese youth literature was in a chaotic period and the market prospects were not clear. Therefore, the Writers Publishing House had no confidence and priced it at only 16 yuan. Even the planned first print run was only 3000 copies, which was almost a plan that was carried out at the break-even point.

It was not until the market feedback was so strong that the book was reprinted to 3 copies.

When it comes to Guo Xiaosi's "Fantasy City", the length is only about 14 words, but Chunfeng Publishing House priced it at 28 yuan, and the first print run was 10 copies.

In just four years, the market has changed dramatically.

If "Better Days Like You" is really 20 to 22 words long, combined with Zhang Chao's popularity and the current topicality of the novel, the pressure on publishing houses in typesetting, printing and pricing will be much less, and the operation will be very user-friendly.

Zhang Chao went on to say, "I have been approached by more than one publisher. Some of them were over the phone, and some were in person. I can be honest with you all. One publisher offered a 12% royalty and a 20 first print run, and another publisher offered a buyout fee of 100 million, but I didn't agree to any of them."

There was an uproar in the audience, and all the publishers who had just heard the news were shocked. Because no matter which one Zhang Chao mentioned, it was considered an extremely high standard in the industry, and usually only the top writers could get it.

The negotiation terms that many of them got from the leaders of publishing houses were not even at this level.

Immediately, a female editor questioned, "Student Zhang Chao, you are raising the price! Publishing books is also risky. Who can guarantee that "Youth Like You" will be a bestseller?" The female editor's words attracted a lot of echoes, and a male editor also shouted, "Student Zhang Chao, you are narrowing your path!"

Zhang Chao was not in a hurry. Instead, he took out a file bag and took out 4 thick A printouts from the file bag. He distributed them to the editors present and said, "This is the part I have already written. I plan to stop the serialization on my blog here. The rest of the content will only be presented in the officially published book."

Upon hearing this, the editors immediately began to read the book and were soon immersed in the tense, depressing, cruel, yet faintly warm and hopeful atmosphere of the novel.

Although the article was not short, the editors were all veterans who had been through many battles. Their reading speed was so fast that they quickly finished reading a stack of manuscript papers.

The last scene happened to be when Cheng Nian and Wei Lai had an argument. In a fit of emotion, Cheng Nian pushed Wei Lai down the stairs...

"What's happening next? How's Wei Lai?" An editor was obviously too immersed in the story and couldn't help but ask.

Zhang Chao smiled mysteriously and said, "Only those who have obtained the copyright can see it first. Sorry, some of this content has not been published on the blog, so I want to collect the printed manuscripts from everyone."

Out of context dog!
The editors cursed inwardly, but reluctantly handed the printed manuscript back to Zhang Chao, and their evaluation of "Youth Like You" rose to a new level. As long as the quality of the rest of the book can be maintained, it can be almost 100% confirmed that this will be a phenomenal youth novel.

Even if it fails, it is certain to sell hundreds of thousands of copies thanks to the popularity and reputation it has created previously.

Now everyone looked at each other, realizing that the right to speak had completely fallen into Zhang Chao's hands.

At this time, Wang Qiaoshan from the 21st Century Society said loudly: "Everyone, I think the conditions you have prepared cannot meet Zhang Chao's psychological expectations, so don't make a fool of yourself. Zhang Chao, what conditions do you want? Tell us quickly! Don't keep us hanging!"

Zhang Chao nodded and explained, "I'm not keeping you guys in suspense, but I'm afraid you'll misunderstand me by not explaining it clearly. Okay, I won't hide it either. My condition is -

At least 15% royalties, 30 copies in the first print run, and the novel price is no less than 29 yuan. "

"Hiss..." All the editors gasped, and even the principal Wu Xingyu who was sitting next to them felt that he had heard it wrong.

Zhang Chao said, "Don't worry, I haven't finished speaking yet. I am also very grateful to the publishing house for its kindness to me, and I don't want you to bear all the risks, so this is a bet agreement!"

"Betting agreement?" None of the editors were involved in finance and were unfamiliar with the concept.

张潮进一步解释道：“是的。15%的版税，是有条件的。如果《少年的你》在发行后18个月内的总销量低于100万册，那么版税就按10%计算。如果高于100万册，那就按15%计算。

销量在100万册以内的时候，可以先按10%结算；超过100万册以后，再把前100万册剩下的5%结算给我。后面，就都按照15%结算。

And if sales fall below 30 copies ... I will forgo all of my royalties.”

The conference room suddenly became like a pot of boiling water. Every editor started talking, making a lot of noise. It was impossible to hear what they were saying. Finally, an old editor's voice was so loud that it shook the ceiling of the conference room:
"Student Zhang Chao, you have set a precedent in the history of Chinese book publishing!"

(End of this chapter)