After Bao Lixin left Rongcheng Literature Publishing House, he quickly found a new home for the authors he poached.
The authors Bao Lixin poached were all selected through essay contests. Wen Ying thought the highest level was a male author. His writing had its own style, and his novels had depth. One book not exploding in popularity did not matter much. With his foundation, he would sooner or later claim a place in the bestseller market.
This male author being poached was Rongcheng Literature Publishing House’s biggest loss.
Wen Ying thought Bao Lixin would focus on building this male author later. Unexpectedly, the one Bao Lixin pushed for the variety show this time was another female author.
The information Mrs Wang provided was very detailed.
“Lan Jing, nineteen years old, currently studying at Modu University. In 2006, she participated in the ‘Tianjiao Spark Cup’ and won second prize in the long novel category. In the same year, she published the novel ‘Her Gentleness’.”
Wen Ying read the information carefully again and smiled as she asked Mrs Wang, “How many tens of thousands of copies did Lan Jing’s book sell?”
Mrs Wang curled her lip, “Second prize in the long novel category of the essay contest, first print was 50,000 copies. Bao Lixin added another 100,000 copies for her. Anyway, I have not heard of a second reprint yet. Total sales have not exceeded 150,000 copies.”
In the current physical book market, a book on the market for nearly a year with total sales not exceeding 150,000 copies could only be considered so-so.
The male author Wen Ying favoured won first prize in the long novel category of the essay contest. His novel’s first print was 70,000 copies, later reprinted 150,000. No second reprint yet, total sales not exceeding 220,000 copies was also not explosive.
That male author just lacked a bit of finesse in story structure. The story itself had no issues, plot twists were innovative. After winning the contest, Tianjiao bought the film and TV rights.
In the long term, Wen Ying was more optimistic about that male author’s development.
As for Lan Jing, her writing was good, but her story innovation was lacking a bit. It had a touch of little literary youth vibe, so she only got second prize back then.
Although “Her Gentleness” was published, Tianjiao did not buy the rights. Such books were more about expressing the author’s own little sentiments, lacking full plots and little value for film and TV adaptation.
The long novel category had two second prizes. Interestingly, another second prize author had their rights bought.
Perhaps because of that, Lan Jing felt somewhat dissatisfied. Bao Lixin did not spend much effort to poach her.
Both Tianjiao and Wen Ying thought Lan Jing’s book had no film adaptation value. For this variety show recording, who knew what connections Bao Lixin used to squeeze Lan Jing into the guest list. It looked like he wanted to strongly promote Lan Jing.
Why promote Lan Jing and not the first prize male author?
— Lan Jing’s talent for writing novels might be a bit lacking, but her looks were outstanding. On the information Mrs Wang compiled, there were photos of several authors. Lan Jing’s photo stood out.
That male author was plain-looking. Appearing on a variety show would not generate as much buzz as Lan Jing.
Lan Jing’s photo was not edited. Wen Ying had seen the real Lan Jing at the awards ceremony. She really looked like that!
If it were any other publisher, discovering a female author like Lan Jing, they would definitely hype the “beautiful girl writer” gimmick and promote hard, shaping Lan Jing into an idol writer.
However, Rongcheng Literature Publishing House previously had Zou Weijun as chief editor. Zou Weijun was quite pure and hoped the authors signed would focus more on the works themselves. If the current works were not good enough, no problem. Write a couple more to practise, and once the level improved, the publishing house would naturally pour resources to push!
To stand out from a crowd of contestants and win second prize in the long novel category, Lan Jing had real strength.
Zou Weijun hoped Lan Jing would settle down to create, spend one or two years polishing a work better than her debut “Her Gentleness”… Obviously, Lan Jing herself did not think that way.
“Auntie Dong, Lan Jing must have a new work about to launch.”
The tone of “Her Gentleness” was set. It had been on the market for nearly a year without becoming a bestseller. No matter how much tinkering now, it was hard to explode. Besides, “Her Gentleness” was launched by Rongcheng Literature Publishing House. Bao Lixin had left, so why would he promote for Rongcheng? Letting Lan Jing on the variety show at this time must be to push her new book!
Mrs Wang pondered, “I still do not know what genre Lan Jing’s new book is.”
This was a bit abnormal.
Since Bao Lixin wanted to push Lan Jing up, why cover up the news?
Wen Ying was still smiling, “No rush. Even an ugly wife must see her in-laws. We will know during recording.”
Wen Ying’s journey was very smooth. Apart from being asked for an autograph on the plane, nothing unexpected happened. Upon landing, surprisingly, Director Fan came to pick her up personally. Wen Ying held back a laugh and said Director Fan was too polite. Director Fan looked behind Wen Ying, not hiding his disappointment.
“Director Yuan did not come?”
Mrs Wang pretended to be displeased, “Director Fan, Director Yuan did not come, but I did!”
Director Fan’s eyes lit up.
“Manager Dong, last year’s “Galaxy and You” rights promotion meeting was hosted by you, right? Ah, with Director Yuan absent, talking to Manager Dong is the same.”
Someone like Mrs Wang, Director Fan could chat about anything with her.
Wen Ying sat in the nanny van, listening to these two chat all the way. Mrs Wang agreed with whatever Director Fan said. Upon arriving at the hotel, Director Fan asked Mrs Wang when they would sign. Mrs Wang opened her innocent eyes, “Sign what? I only handle the PR department. I cannot decide on signing.”
Director Fan: …
As if you cannot decide!
Director Fan kept his poise, “No problem. As long as Manager Dong recognises our cooperation, the chance of our channel signing with your company is very high. I can feel Manager Dong’s influence in your company.”
Mrs Wang had thick skin. Director Fan was no less.
Wen Ying was watching the fun beside them when another car pulled up. The door opened, and the lead person was surprisingly Bao Lixin.
Behind Bao Lixin was Lan Jing.
This girl looked really good.
Long hair to the waist, fair skin, delicate and literary-looking, in the same style as Song Chan.
Just seeing Bao Lixin and Lan Jing was nothing. Unexpectedly, another old acquaintance of Wen Ying got out of the car.
“Auntie Dong, look—”
Wen Ying reminded softly. Mrs Wang looked in the direction Wen Ying pointed and was also stunned, “How did they end up together?”
Director Fan saw the newcomer too.
As a busy person, Director Fan did not know Bao Lixin or Lan Jing, but Director Fan knew another person.
“Why is the one surnamed Guan here too?”
Manager Guan and Liang Dan had been quite low-key lately. Director Fan did not care much about them.
He had to deal with Liang Dan occasionally, but Manager Guan was unnecessary. Director Fan looked down on this soft rice eater. Now, with the atmosphere good chatting with Mrs Wang, seeing the soft rice eater was inevitably annoying.
Director Fan withdrew his gaze. Wen Ying was also wondering how Bao Lixin ended up with Manager Guan. On second thought, Bao Lixin only had a way out by teaming with Manager Guan. Everyone knew Manager Guan was at odds with Tianjiao!
Wen Ying had a flash of insight, “Lan Jing’s new book, is it going to follow the operation mode of “Galaxy and You”?”
