How did Whispering Secrets become a hit?
It got famous from being criticized.
To be fair, without the newspaper controversy, Whispering Secrets would still have sold well due to its quality and suspenseful marketing, but not to its current explosive level.
The series’ first book, out for less than six months, has sold over two million copies nationwide. Its sales cycle, typical for such popular science books, is long, and the final tally will be much higher.
But when Whispering Secrets faced backlash, the publishing department, particularly Zou Weijun as the lead planner, bore the pressure. Parents flooded education authorities with complaints. Now, Editor Wan wants Youth Idol to follow the same get criticized, get famous path, putting all the pressure on Wen Ying?
A high school girl like Wen Ying should not have to endure that!
She wrote an inspiring youth novel, not anything explicit or violent. If anyone deserves criticism, it is not her.
The pressure adults might struggle with should not fall on a minor. This was not Zou Weijun’s promotional strategy for Youth Idol!
Editor Wan, true to form, had the nerve to suggest it.
You are saying I should push the author out to take the heat while I sit back counting money? Zou Weijun’s disdain was unmasked, done talking to Wan.
Wan, misjudging his flattery, stammered, Xiao Zou, I meant—
She did not care to hear it.
Wan, tugging at his sparse hair, scurried to the hallway to call Song Foxiang.
Old Song, it is not working. Xiao Zou is protective of the author and rejected my idea. I cannot help you here. But why are you so invested in Xiao Zou? Last time you—
Got beaten at the office entrance, and now he has forgotten the pain?
Song Foxiang exploded over the phone, Do not talk nonsense, I am not focused on Xiao Zou!
Wan was not convinced.
Song spilled the truth.
It is not about Xiao Zou—it is her new project. That fake foreigner Zhao Dong used me to break into Rongcheng’s cultural circle. His Zhao Family Letters was pitched to Xiao Zou, who ignored him. So he went to a Shandong publisher. Xiao Zou’s new project clashes with Zhao Dong’s autobiography!
It was not a big deal originally.
What a coincidence—Zhao Dong’s publisher is part of the same Shandong Publishing Group as Aige.
Aige targeting Xiao Zou’s author is trouble for her, which, rounding up, means Zhao Family Letters is pitted against Youth Idol.
Youth Idol better crush Zhao Family Letters and infuriate Zhao Dong!
Song’s hatred for Zhao Dong had surpassed his grudge against Xie Jinghu.
Xie Jinghu hurt Song’s pride; Zhao Dong wounded his spirit, driving him nearly irrational. He had almost forgotten he ghostwrote Zhao Family Letters. If another book outshines it, is that not crushing him too?
No, Song refused to see Zhao Family Letters as his work.
It was a shoddy, soulless cash grab, nothing to do with him!
Wan was dizzy from Song’s convoluted logic.
It kind of made sense.
Zhao Dong pitched Zhao Family Letters to Xiao Zou, who passed.
Xiao Zou then picked a serialized youth novel, Youth Idol.
If Youth Idol outsells Zhao Family Letters, it proves Xiao Zou’s knack for picking winners.
But Old Song, Zhao Dong is loaded. He does not care how much Zhao Family Letters sells, does he? If it sells well, he recoups some costs; if not, no big deal. He is after fame, right?
And Zhao Dong has already got it.
Song snorted over the phone, You lack fight experience. What is the hottest book this year so far?
Whispering Secrets, obviously, Wan blurted.
Song’s voice buzzed with excitement, Exactly, it is the first book you thought of. The second half of the year is just starting. People only remember the top dog, the one that leaves the deepest impression. Even if Zhao Dong pumps Zhao Family Letters to a million copies, if Youth Idol beats it, he will still eat dirt!
Fame-seekers suffer most when they do not get the spotlight they crave.
Wan got it now.
So that is your angle! But Xiao Zou will not take my advice—what can I do?
Wait, he was not out of moves.
Xiao Zou wanted to shield the author, but the boss might not.
Women can be too soft-hearted. The boss prioritizes the department’s interests.
Youth Idol selling big maximizes those interests!
Wan chatted a bit more with Song, hung up, and slipped into the boss’s office.
Editor Wan, got a report? The boss eyed him, thinking Wan looked shifty.
Wan quietly pitched his idea, What do you think, boss? I am not stirring trouble or being selfish—just thinking of the department and trying to get on Xiao Zou’s good side, though she does not see my good intentions.
Would you dare repeat those intentions to Xiao Zou?
The boss chuckled, Never noticed your talent before. You are so brazen, you are wasted in publishing—you belong in showbiz.
As an agent, he would bury rival stars.
Or pit his own against them, losing 800 to take down 1,000.
Neither star wins; the company does.
Wan, sensing the boss was not praising him, flushed, Just pretend I said nothing. I will get back to work.
The boss tapped the desk.
Hold on.
Wan’s eyes lit up as the boss asked, How sure are you? If this flops, I am not taking the heat for you. Also, Youth Idol’s author is young, a potential star we should nurture. Promote it, but do not harm her long-term. If you mess this up, do not blame me for sending you to open a publishing market in Africa.
Africa has got no publishing market!
Wan understood: the boss was giving him leeway. Success might not bring rewards, but failure would definitely bring punishment.
