In the entertainment industry, everyone has been reborn, but who will be their servant?

Chapter 64 Testing the Waters
In fact, the story of "The Hunger Games" is universal, telling the story of totalitarian rule and resistance against oppression.

The setting could be changed to the East and it would work perfectly without feeling out of place, but the story would be a bit out of place.

If you write about an Eastern background, it's easy for people to misunderstand, and it will be difficult to pass the review.

"We also suggest that we act as their agent for this novel and promote it overseas, since it's a fictional science fiction story that's also suitable for overseas readers," Chen Liping suggested.

"Sure, it has an International Book Number, right?" This is what Qin Xuan cares about, because having an International Book Number means having copyright ownership internationally.

“We’ll help you get that. As for international publication, I need to explain to you that they will pay us a portion of the copyright fee, and we will take a 20% commission from the subsequent revenue sharing. Is that acceptable to you?” Chen Liping looked at the other party.

They act as intermediaries, licensing copyrights to overseas publishers.

"So, you license the copyright to them, and the money they pay you is split 20/80, right?" Qin Xuan tried to understand.

"That's right." Chen Liping nodded.

"Then I'm curious, what's the profit split between you and them?" Qin Xuan asked.

"It's similar to the domestic rate, between 5% and 10%. It depends on the specific sales volume. If it's high, they will increase the commission." Chen Liping didn't hide anything; this is transparent and can be found online.

In other words, if $1000 is sold overseas, $100 is given to the publishing house, and Qin Xuan then shares 80% with them, receiving $80 in return.

Compared to domestic standards, there's an additional commission fee.

"What about e-books? E-books should be different, right?" Qin Xuan asked again.

“About 25% of the e-books end up in our hands, but by the time they reach you, it’s still 80%,” Chen Liping said.

E-books don't have as many distribution channels as physical books, and they don't require printing. They can be sold online, so they are different.

Qin Xuan remained silent, silently calculating in his mind that the e-book version of this book had sold a total of 3600 million copies in its previous life, generating a revenue of 6.5 million.

That is, 25% of 6.5 million, and then 80%, equals his income of 1.3 million.

The physical books sold an astonishing 18.8 billion. According to what he just said, if we calculate based on the highest 10% commission, he would get 80%, which would be 1.5 million, roughly his income.

"How much was the prepaid copyright fee?" Qin Xuan looked up.

“It’s usually between one thousand and five thousand US dollars. I’ll have them give you five thousand. Your novel hasn’t shown its value yet, so it’s hard to estimate.” Chen Liping meant that…

Qin Xuan is not famous yet, so giving him the highest possible reward is already very good.

“Here’s the deal: a $1 advance payment to let me have a good New Year, and you take 15%,” Qin Xuan said.

This way he can earn an extra ten or twenty million. He still cares about overseas copyright income, simply because overseas copyrights are strictly regulated and the income is considerable.

Don't be indifferent to hundreds of millions or tens of millions; some listed companies don't even have that much profit.

Of course, this calculation ignores the different royalty rates in different countries and is just a general estimate.

It's still about making money through film and television adaptations and derivative products.

"President Xuan has been very careful with his money," Chen Liping said.

"I didn't calculate it carefully; I think 15% is just right." Qin Xuan didn't say that 10% was better.

Making that much money just by reselling it is already a great profit.

“We also put in the work. For example, your book needs to be translated into various languages. We need to find a professor for each language, and the fees we pay them are not low,” Chen Liping argued.

“I understand that, but I believe my book can create enormous value. If it couldn’t, you wouldn’t have mentioned translating it into various countries, right?” Qin Xuan seized on the loophole in his words.

Chen Liping gave an awkward smile. He realized he was no match for those in the entertainment industry who knew how to read people. "Okay, 15% it is then," he agreed.

"There's another issue: the authorized copyright is limited to books, right? It doesn't involve film and television, does it?" Qin Xuan asked.

“No, that’s not our strength. We only want ebooks, newspaper serials, and paperback reprints (hardcover editions). You can keep the other derivative rights yourself, or find other agents,” Chen Liping explained to him.

Other derivative products include film and television, games, comics, and merchandise; these are the main sources of revenue.

"Then I have no problem. When can we sign the contract?" Qin Xuan asked.

"The contract will be mailed to you. Take a look, sign it, and send it back to us. But we need to sign a letter of intent first." Chen Liping handed him a letter of intent.

This is an exclusivity agreement, to prevent you from selling the novel to someone else or something, and to avoid being hijacked.

Qin Xuan glanced at it briefly, signed his name, and the matter was basically settled.

After signing, Qin Xuan asked one last question: "How quickly can it be published?"

"One or two months, but we can't work during the Chinese New Year, so it should be published in about two months," Chen Liping said.

His novel has few words, so even with layout design and further processing, it won't take long.

After this matter was settled, Qin Xuan could finally enjoy the New Year in peace, but his wish for a happy New Year was now meaningless.

They didn't prepay him the copyright fee. This thing has to be paid by the overseas publishers before Qin Xuan will receive payment. It's impossible for them to pay out of their own pockets.

This year's Spring Festival was characterized by disaster relief and the Olympics; it seemed like the whole world was talking about these two things.

Qin Xuan was naturally at home celebrating the New Year with his uncle and aunt, while Wu Rui was still working tirelessly to translate "The Hunger Games," unaware that his brother had already sold the novel.

The festive atmosphere was still there. Cai Mei had prepared a large table of sumptuous dishes, and the family sat around the table, chatting and laughing.

"Brother, I've finished translating 20,000 words. You promised me you'd buy me a car, so don't go back on your word." Wu Rui was still very happy today and didn't argue with his mother.

“No problem, I’ll buy it right away as soon as you finish translating it. But I’m reminding you, you need to prepare your driver’s license first. You can’t do it without one,” Qin Xuan said.

"Oh right, driver's license." Wu Rui slapped his forehead and looked at his parents.

"Once you pass the college entrance exam, I'll pay for your driver's license lessons," Wu Guoqiang said with a smile, happy to see his son working so hard.

“The child is so young, how can he drive? It’s all nonsense.” Cai Mei said to Wu Rui with a stern face, “You’re not allowed to drive, it’s too dangerous.”

“I’m already eighteen. All the rich kids in our school have cars, so why can’t I? My brother said it’s something I earned through hard work. I’m not asking you for help; I rely on myself.” Wu Rui said confidently.

"Yes! As long as you do something, there should be a reward, regardless of whether it's meaningful or not." Qin Xuan agreed.

Upon hearing him speak up for himself, Wu Rui immediately adopted an arrogant demeanor.

Cai Mei, feeling helpless, changed the subject, saying, "Xiao Xuan, you've achieved some success in your career. I'll have a relative in our hometown find you a wife soon."

"Huh?!" Qin Xuan was a little confused.

"Mom, you're worrying too much. My brother knows Liu Yifei and plans to marry her," Wu Rui interrupted.

"You and Liu Yifei are together?" Cai Mei's eyes widened, looking quite surprised.

Wu Guoqiang also put down his chopsticks, somewhat surprised. He knew his nephew knew Liu Yifei and had heard of her, but he hadn't seen them talking.

"Uh, no, but I was just planning to go to her house to wish her mother a Happy New Year and sound her out." Qin Xuan hesitated for a moment.

(End of this chapter)