Miss Heir wasn't very kind to me.

Chapter 40. "Light Novel Writer"

"Web light novels? Are they the kind that are serialized on a website?"

In the island nation's light novel industry, if you want to debut as a light novel writer, the most traditional and safest way is to participate in the newcomer awards of major paperback publishing houses, and then publish it as a paperback.

"Can't you just take the manuscript to the publishing house and give it to the editor for review?" Asami asked.

"That's the way it's done in comics," Hojo explained. "A single volume of a light novel is nearly 20 words. A thorough reading would take a considerable amount of time, and an editor simply doesn't have the time."

Masumi glanced at Asami when he heard that, "Have you ever submitted a comic to a publishing house?"

"Of course, but I was rejected without a doubt every time."

Mami's tone was quite calm, it seemed that she was used to having her manuscripts rejected.

When I think about it, it seems like everyone gathered in this coffee shop is a bunch of losers.

"Ms. Seno and I share the same plight." Mr. Hojo shook his head and sighed, "So the only option I have is to submit my work online."

That is, publishing your own novel on websites such as "Let's Become a Light Novel Writer".

If you can achieve a certain level of popularity and good results, you will attract editors from major book publishing houses, who will contact you to discuss publishing your work in a book library. If your work is successfully published, you will officially debut as a light novel writer.

Because this method has a lower threshold, it attracts many people who dream of becoming light novel writers, the main force of which are high school students from the literature club and the home-going club.

"It seems that the saying that 'as long as you can write Japanese, you can pass the preliminary round of the Light Novel Newcomer Award' is a lie." Asami sighed.

"So Mr. Hojo is worried about serial updates every day?"

"Well, after all, the daily update model really dampens my creative enthusiasm."

In fact, he didn't need to say it, you can tell from his haggard face.

Web-based light novels are different from paperback books, which are published in volumes. They are updated chapter by chapter. In the case of only the web, if you want to be popular with readers, you just need to be more diligent and make readers look forward to the daily updates.

Masumi nodded, then suddenly thought of a question and blurted out, "Since the update volume is so large, the royalties should be quite substantial, right?"

"Not at all."

"Eh?"

Mr. Hojo smiled bitterly and said, "Light novel websites don't have a paid feature. Before the book is published as a paperback, the author has no income."

"In that case, why do you still insist..."

Although the question was silly, Masumi knew that if he didn't ask, he wouldn't get an answer.

Mr. Hojo took a sip of barley tea, exhaled his emotions with his breath, and sighed:

"If I had to put it bluntly, it was to satisfy my desire to express myself and my vague dream of becoming a writer."

“Isn’t there a saying: ‘A twenty-something unemployed young person will most likely imagine himself as a writer.’”

Mr. Hojo took pleasure in self-deprecation.

"In fact, it's not just online authors. Even debut authors mostly write part-time, and very few can support themselves with royalties."

"Even if an author adapts their work into an anime, if they can't attract readers to buy the original novel, then even if the anime becomes a hot topic, it's just a good name."

"There are countless writers who debut with a rookie award and then disappear from the industry in an instant. Authors like Wataru Watari and Kawahara Reki, who can earn a million yen a month in royalties, are already at the top of the industry and are extremely rare."

Mr. Hojo talked about the situation of light novel writers.

"Thank you, Mr. Hojo."

"That's okay." Mr. Hojo took a sip of barley tea to soothe his throat. "Mr. Miyazawa, are you interested in writing a novel?"

Masumi was about to shake her head when he continued, "Don't be so quick to deny it." "I see you often read in your free time."

"It was just to pass the time."

"Even though that's the case, the fact that you pass the time by reading, even if it's just online light novels, shows that you have a need and interest in reading itself."

"To become a novelist, you first need to read a certain amount. Many people feel uneasy after reading a certain story, so they want to write their own story."

Masumi felt that this was indeed the case, so he nodded slightly in agreement, "That's indeed the truth."

Mr. Hojo drank the remaining barley tea in his cup, declined Masumi's offer to drink more, and suddenly suggested, "By the way, I have a group for light novel writers here. Although most of them are online novelists like me, there are also talented authors who have won the Rookie Award."

"I'll invite Mr. Miyazawa in as well."

"That's not necessary. I'm not writing a novel." Masumi refused clearly.

"It's okay. There are also many people who gave up halfway through writing. It's nice for everyone to get together and exchange and share what they are reading."

Mr. Hojo invited him despite the hesitation.

Since that's what he said, Masumi couldn't refuse this kindness and enthusiasm, so she picked up her phone and exchanged LINE contact information with Mr. Hojo.

"Dihuang Hachiman" invites you to join "Become the strongest novelist for me (burning flame emoji)!!!"

Dihuang Hachiman: "A new like-minded partner has joined us, everyone welcomes!"

As Mr. Hojo sent the message, the quiet group suddenly became lively, causing Masumi's phone to vibrate non-stop.

The message "Welcome new members" quickly appeared on the group chat interface.

Eh? As a novelist, shouldn't I be fully committed to writing and updating my novel at this time?
One of the accounts, called "Ryujinin Bandai", caught his attention.

The avatar is of a beautiful animated girl with short aqua blue hair, bangs covering her right eye, and wearing a maid outfit. Her immature and crazy speaking style is very much like that of a high school student.

"Seno, I found your brother in the group chat. It turns out he writes novels when he's not playing baseball."

"What nonsense are you talking about, Masumi-kun." Asami frowned.

"Our Seno family's ancestors were farmers who worked the land for the Ii family. They don't have any literary genes at all."

"Especially my younger brother. In the last regular exam, his Chinese score was even lower than his English score. It's really a headache."

"This shows that he's trying to keep up with the international standards. I guess his dream is to compete with American baseball players, which is why he's working so hard on his English."

Suddenly, a finger poked Masumi's cheek hard. Masumi felt the softness of Asami's fingertips. He glanced over and saw the smile flashing in her beautiful brown eyes.

"You're quite the talker, Masumi-kun."

"Again, I think you might be able to become friends with my brother, because he's a guy who gets flattered when he's praised."

"But unfortunately, his last English score was a pathetic 23 points."

"What is the full score?"

"100 points. By the way, the passing score is 30 points."

"Then pretend I didn't say it."

The fingers were removed, and the compressed cheeks recovered under the action of collagen.

Masumi lowered her eyelashes quietly, her eyes fixed on the LINE group chat interface.

"Light novel..."

　Thanks to An An, I am the only one, Shadow Envoy, Book Friend 20211006010818591, Litchi is covered with honey, Tingfengxiaoxiao, Yuxer, Whiss, Shui Miao, Kebi Lao Da, Xuan Ye, and Zuijiu Mengshi for their monthly tickets. Thank you for your comments and recommendation votes.
　　It snowed here again today. Recently, I saw many people showing off their GSC Yukino figurines. They are really beautiful.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)