I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 75 Collection of Essays (asking for monthly votes!)
With all the manuscripts required for the collection now in place, and Mikhail injecting a large amount of funds into this project, it can be said that the publication of the collection has officially entered the countdown.

It is worth mentioning that at the beginning, the share ratio that Mikhail negotiated with Nekrasov was 15% for Mikhail, but now, because Mikhail has made great efforts in this business, especially in the economic aspect.

This led to Nekrasov wanting to have a 6:4 match with Mikhail, with Mikhail giving him 6 and him giving him 4. Mikhail, of course, responded with, "We're good brothers! It has to be 50-50! Don't say anything!"

After all, as mentioned before, Nekrasov is almost impossible to be replaced in this cause, and the funds he contributed are only slightly less than Mikhail. In this case, Nekrasov could propose June 4th in excitement, but Mikhail could not really accept this share.

We are all brothers!
If Lao Ni becomes rich in the future, Mikhail will definitely visit his home.
Before the collection was published, before Mikhail could offer any suggestions for publicity, Nekrasov was the first to come up with his own ideas:
"Mikhail, I was going to advertise the upcoming publication of the Petersburg Collection in all the newspapers in St. Petersburg, and perhaps in Moscow as well. In short, I was going to advertise it extensively, but Panaev thinks the cost is too high, and many in our circle think it is extremely dishonorable and an insult to the dignity of literature.

But I still insist on this idea, but before doing so, I still want to ask your opinion."

Based on these words, we can actually see why Nekrasov was able to become a first-class publisher. His sense of smell and ability in this area are much stronger than those of his aristocratic friends who have never experienced hard times.

As for Belinsky, he simply didn't have much business acumen, and he had indeed never struggled at the bottom of society.

However, even though he proposed it, Nekrasov was still a little nervous when he told Mikhail about this matter. After all, when there are voices of disapproval all around, how many people can maintain their confidence?

What's more, this is really a huge expense, which is the kind that can increase the debt of the two people even more.
In this case, even if Nekrasov really decided to do this, how could he be confident?
So Nekrasov went to Mikhail and told him about it, and Mikhail said, "There is no more brilliant idea than this, Nikolai. I agree with it very much. There is an old saying that goes, 'Even good wine needs a bush.' If we don't promote our collection, how will others know how good it is and where to sell it?"

As always, Mikhail's calm smile and firm tone were like holy light, shining into the deepest part of Nekrasov's heart, and instantly gave Nekrasov more confidence.

It’s just that Mikhail’s old saying is a bit strange. Is there any legal tavern in Russia that has no business?
Even if it's illegal, it's still popular
In short, Mikhail not only strengthened Nekrasov's confidence, but also gave Nekrasov a lot of propaganda advice, helping him to improve his ideas.

Nekrasov was stunned by his suggestions. It took him a long time to come back to his senses. He then sighed repeatedly, "God, Mikhail, you are an absolute genius in advertising! Although some of the methods you mentioned are simply devilish, you still have to call me a genius."

Mikhail: “.”

Why are you praising and criticizing at the same time? I'm just repeating what some people have done.

So, after listening to Mikhail's opinions and suggestions, Nekrasov excitedly went to do what Mikhail said.

It has to be said that although Mikhail has a lot of ideas in theory, when it comes to implementing them into concrete actions, it still has to be left to Nekrasov.

As Nekrasov gradually turned some of his feasible ideas into reality, more and more people in St. Petersburg and even further away in Moscow began to pay attention to the news of this collection of essays:
"Igor, look! It seems a collection of Petersburg essays is about to be published!"

"Hmm? What's so strange about that? There are so many new books appearing in Petersburg every day that it's almost impossible to count them all. I've even read two of them before, and they were both terrible."

"Mikhail's new novels and poems will appear in this collection!"

"What?! Then when will it be released? I haven't seen him in the recent issue of 'Fatherland Chronicle', but I've seen several extremely boring articles. Sigh! After reading his articles, I feel that many authors write so poorly, even some famous writers!"

"It's only a few days away. I think we should go sooner rather than later. Who knows if it will be sold out like the 'Fatherland Chronicle'?"

"Yes, I think so. Since we can see it, our classmates will definitely see it too."

"God, I really don't want to get up so early, dear Yaroslav, can I ask you a favor?"

"Impossible, Igor! I'd rather freeze to death with you on a St. Petersburg morning than do this!"

"Oh, Mikhail, I know him. His novels are interesting, but truly educated gentlemen and ladies would never take the initiative to read them. However, his poetry is very good. Although he may attach too much importance to his lover, it is indeed effective when read to those ladies.

I would buy a copy just for his poetry."

"I agree with you. The topics he chooses for his novels often make people feel uncomfortable. If he can focus on the right people and things, then I believe he will have a bright future."

"Not only Mikhail, but also the great translator Kronenberg, the renowned Count Sologub and Duke Odoevsky, and many other familiar names. Although the price seems a bit high, the content seems to be well worth it."

"There are so many works by famous people here. They look really good, but how can they advertise in newspapers and magazines? It's like those businessmen shouting and clamoring to sell their wares. It's really not decent."

“I thought so too, but I’ll buy a copy anyway.”

Scenes similar to the one above are happening again and again all over St. Petersburg as time goes by.

On the streets, in universities, in cafes, in bookstores, in luxurious study rooms and living rooms, in apartments
The fact that it happened on such a large scale was due, on the one hand, to the overwhelming advertising by Nekrasov, and on the other hand, it was simply the celebrity effect. In addition to Mikhail, the rising star who has been mentioned by many people recently, the names of many respected writers and artists have once again gilded this collection of essays, making more readers more convinced.

At the same time, Belinsky was very excited to see the finished product of this collection. In addition to writing the preface and comments, Belinsky also enthusiastically promoted this collection to people in his circle and many friends, thus adding fuel to the popularity and discussion of this collection.

Of course, while some people are curious and looking forward to this collection of essays, there are also people who feel disdain and dissatisfaction with it, and even become hostile to it for some reasons.

That's pretty much what happened with Krajewski, the publisher of "Fatherland Chronicle."

Strictly speaking, this matter actually has little to do with Krajewski, and it may even be beneficial to him. For example, he has been studying the promotion methods of this collection for a while, and every time he thinks he has figured it out, he always finds something new. This makes him feel eye-opening, and he has also begun to think about how to apply these promotional methods to his own magazine.
However, even so, as the collection of essays became more and more popular, Krajewski gradually began to feel uncomfortable and dissatisfied.

Because if there were no such collection, all the works appearing on it should have been published in "Chronicles of the Motherland"!
In addition to the works of famous writers such as Count Sologub and Duke Odoevsky, Mikhail is no exception!

You know, since Mikhail has almost devoted all his energy to this collection of essays recently, he has never contributed any articles to "Fatherland Chronicle" again.

This led to a considerable number of subscribers writing letters to complain about this matter, and the subscription volume of the last two issues of "Chronicles of the Motherland" fluctuated significantly.

Although Krajewski still refused to admit how much influence a writer could have on his magazine, the best case scenario would definitely be that he continued to contribute articles, and the magazine would not treat him unfairly. If he wrote a few more issues, his royalties would most likely be increased!

You know, for a newcomer like him, this is already excellent treatment.

After all, there are too many young authors in St. Petersburg who want to submit their works to the Fatherland Chronicle and are even willing to do so for free in order to have them published.

In this case, how can we not say that he did not receive the best treatment?

And there was one young man like this who was willing to take no money at the party Krajewski was currently attending.

Generally speaking, the writers in St. Petersburg each have their own circles, and it is difficult to say that one dominates. For example, outside of Belinsky's circle, many writers even regarded him as a leper. When they met him on the street, they were unwilling to say hello to him and were unwilling to stay with him at all.

However, this may be a good thing to some extent, because a considerable number of literati are not good people. Since there are progressive writers like Belinsky who oppose serfdom, there are naturally literati who flatter the Tsarist government and hope to live a life of wealth and glory.

For example, Bulgarin, a well-known writer in St. Petersburg at that time, originally used the name "Naturalism" as a derogatory term for a group of young authors who followed Gogol's example. It was only after Belinsky's repeated elaboration that this name became an alias for the early Russian realism school.

What's even more abstract is that, in addition to opposing progressive writers, this guy has also become a real spy for the secret police agency's "Third Department". If there are any extremely radical remarks in the literary circle, he might really be used as evidence in a lawsuit.

All I can say is that it is true that some people are eager to be treated like dogs, and it is also true that the "Third Hall" is eager for others to be treated like dogs.

But perhaps in the minds of people like Bulgarin, they really felt that they were upholding Russia's fine traditions and social order.

Of course, if they can fight for some small rights for themselves in the process of safeguarding the motherland, they will surely be very happy.

As for the party that Krajewski is currently attending, it can almost be said to be his comfort zone. Although he is quite friendly to Belinsky and his group on the surface, he is actually not willing to deal with them too much.

However, these gentlemen in front of him are more in line with Krajewski's temperament.

They all agreed on the Petersburg Anthology, believing it was a very disgraceful thing for such a good anthology to be advertised in so many newspapers and periodicals, even going so far as to say:

"Those two brats are like the guys at Apraksin's department store. They shamelessly drag everyone who passes by into their shop and boast about their wares. Where is their self-respect as a writer? They are corrupting the atmosphere of St. Petersburg literary circles with their actions!"

Although Krajewski was prepared to use certain propaganda methods in his own magazine, this did not prevent him from having similar views to those of these gentlemen.

While they were chatting about these things, a young man who had managed to squeeze into their gathering also seized the opportunity to read his work.

There are a lot of young people like this in St. Petersburg who have literary dreams and keep trying various methods to find ways, just to have someone who can present their works to influential people in the cultural world.

Krajewski had seen many young people like this, and after listening to it, he looked over. When the young man, who seemed a little excited, saw Krajewski's stern and deep face, although he might not want to in his heart, he subconsciously showed a smile with a flattering meaning.

It is well written, seeks no reward, and maintains due respect for authority.

This was the young author Krajewski often met and liked very much.

As for Mikhail, he seems to have a limited understanding of the importance of platforms and recognition from authoritative figures, and he does not have much dedication.

The young man who faced him with a calm expression flashed through his mind again. Although Krajewski was just a little unhappy, he still sincerely hoped that the collection of essays by the two young men would fail. After hitting a wall, they would probably understand how precious the royalties they could get now were.

When Krajewski was thinking this, the young man Andrei, who had listened to the conversations of many people present, felt his face flushed and couldn't help but sigh for a long time in his heart.

Good God, does any young writer have to go through this to get their work published in a magazine? And did Mikhail go through this too?

In addition, although he heard many people at this party belittling and disdaining the "Petersburg Anthology", as for Andrei himself, he would definitely buy a copy of the anthology to read.

And to be honest, he always felt that many of the gentlemen here would probably buy a copy.

So what is this new novel about?

I hope it won’t be another novel like “The Chameleon”.

Last time, after reading the Chameleon, he laughed out loud, but once he came to his senses, he refused to read it a second time.
(End of this chapter)