He unexpectedly becomes a father at the start of his life, and the mother of his child is a national

"Teacher Haolin, have some water. I'm sorry, the conditions are a bit basic."

"It's okay, it's fine here." Chen Hao took the water glass and placed it on the table.

The two sat down facing each other at the round table.

Zhao Ziming rubbed his hands together, his face still showing the surprise and excitement of seeing Chen Hao in person, but he quickly composed himself and took out several documents from the folder he had brought with him.

"Teacher Haolin, shall we... get straight to the point?" Zhao Ziming asked tentatively.

"Of course," Chen Hao nodded.

"Okay." Zhao Ziming opened a document.

"Our company is very sincere about publishing the physical book of 'The Adventures of the Chen Family Daughter in the Mountains and Seas'."

First, I'd like to discuss the most crucial part with you, which is royalties.

He cleared his throat and said in a more formal tone:

"According to the general rules of the domestic publishing industry, we usually offer a royalty rate of 6% to new authors or authors who are cooperating with our publishing house for the first time."

This ratio is calculated based on book pricing and projected print runs.

Of course, as your subsequent works perform better in the market and your reputation grows, this percentage can be renegotiated and increased.

After he finished speaking, he looked at Chen Hao, waiting for his reaction.

Chen Hao's face remained expressionless; he simply asked calmly:

"6%? That means, assuming a book is priced at 30 yuan, I'll get 1.8 yuan for every book sold?"

"Uh...yes, that's a rough way to understand it."

"The actual calculations are a bit more complicated, involving cost accounting, but that's roughly it," Zhao Ziming explained.

Chen Hao was silent for a few seconds, then shook his head: "This ratio is too low."

Zhao Ziming's heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her smile.

"Teacher Haolin, 6% is actually a reasonable starting point for new authors."

For many new authors, the royalty for their first book may be only 5%, or even less.

We've already given you 6%, taking into account the outstanding performance of your work on the platform.

"The data speaks for itself on how popular my work is right now. Editor Zhao, you should know better than anyone else how popular it is." Chen Hao's tone was calm, but carried an undeniable firmness.

"The Adventures of the Chen Family's Daughter in the Mountains and Seas is not just popular on your platform; it attracts a real group of parents and readers who are willing to pay for high-quality content."

Their anticipation for physical books indicates that the market is already warming up.

In this situation, I feel it's unreasonable to only give me 6% royalties.

Zhao Ziming felt somewhat troubled.

He had anticipated that the author might object to the royalties, but he didn't expect Chen Hao to directly deny it from the start, and with such a firm attitude.

"Then... Teacher Haolin, what do you think is a suitable amount?" Zhao Ziming asked cautiously.

Chen Hao looked at him, extended one finger, and then slowly bent it into a gesture of one and five: "15%."

"Wh...what?" Zhao Ziming almost thought he had misheard; his eyes behind his glasses widened instantly.

"15%? Teacher Haolin, you...you're not joking, are you?"

His voice trembled slightly with surprise.

"I'm not joking." Chen Hao's expression was very serious.

"15%. I believe my work is worth that price."

Zhao Ziming opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.

He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself down, before speaking in as calm a tone as possible:

"Teacher Haolin, I understand your confidence in your work."

However... a 15% royalty rate is... in the domestic publishing industry, an extremely high percentage.

Typically, only top-selling authors with millions of copies sold and extremely high national recognition...

Only well-known writers who have won major literary awards are eligible to receive this level of royalties.

You...you are still a new author, with no physical book publication record and no reputation in other fields.

Asking for 15% right off the bat... that's really unrealistic.

He felt he had been tactful enough, even bordering on earnest and persuasive.

He hopes Chen Hao can face reality.

However, Chen Hao merely raised an eyebrow slightly:

"Editor Zhao, shouldn't the amount of royalties depend on the market potential and value of the work itself?"

Rather than the author's so-called "experience" or "fame"? The e-subscription data for "The Adventures of the Chen Family's Daughter in the Mountains and Seas" has already proven its market acceptance.

A large portion of the potential readers of physical books are those who are already following the updates on digital books.

This foundation is something many so-called "well-known authors" lack when launching their new books.

"I want 15%, that's not unreasonable at all."

Zhao Ziming felt a tightness in his chest from these words.

Logically speaking, Chen Hao's statement makes sense.

The work is indeed popular, and market expectations are indeed good.

However, from the perspective of industry practice and risk control, giving a newcomer a 15% royalty is simply a pipe dream.

"Teacher Haolin," Zhao Ziming said, struggling to find the right words.

"Well then, I... I can try to negotiate for you to increase the royalties to 8%."

8% is a percentage that only authors with a certain degree of fame or whose works have significant market potential can achieve.

This is the most sincere offer we can make.

He emphasized the words "very sincere".

Chen Hao looked at him, then suddenly smiled, but there was no warmth in that smile:

"8%? Editor Zhao, if your sincerity is only 8%, then I think there's no need for us to continue talking."

As he spoke, he actually stood up, as if to leave.

"Wait! Teacher Haolin! Please wait!" Zhao Ziming was startled and quickly stood up, blocking Chen Hao's path, her face showing anxiety.

"Let's talk this over! Please don't be in such a hurry to leave!"

He was really anxious.

The editor-in-chief entrusting this matter to him is a sign of trust and also an important opportunity for him.

If a book destined to be a bestseller slips through his fingers and is published by a competitor because of a disagreement over royalties, then he will bear a heavy responsibility.

Moreover, he himself firmly believed that the physical copy of the book would be a bestseller.

Chen Hao stopped and looked at him without saying anything, but gestured for him to continue.

Zhao Ziming's forehead was sweating slightly. He gritted his teeth, as if he had made a great decision:

"10%! Mr. Haolin, 10%! This is truly the limit of what I can decide! 10% royalties, that's already the treatment many well-known authors receive!"

Many authors who have published two or three best-selling books are only at this level! Do you think... this is acceptable?

He almost pleaded.