1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 395 Business Landscape
"Take a look at these manuscripts. They are intended for the next issue." Wang Meng pulled out a stack of manuscripts and handed them to Jiang Xian.

They were all short stories, and Jiang Xian spent more than ten minutes reading a few of them.

Wang Meng poured another glass of water for Jiang Xian, and when he looked up, he smiled and asked:

"How does it feel?"

"This"

Jiang Xian thought about it and summed it up in four words:

"It's so dirty."

Most of the manuscripts in this pile are "terribly rustic" works.

What does "earthy enough to fall apart" mean?

This "earthy" is not derogatory.

It probably means being down-to-earth.

The content of the novel is a hymn of praise, and the main theme is very strong.

It’s not that these articles are bad. In Jiang Xian’s opinion, some of them are indeed of a certain standard.

But after reading it briefly, Jiang Xian found that they were all articles of this type, all the same, which made him feel very boring.

And this is stuffed into a literary journal.

If a literary journal contains only the same type of novels, it would be very difficult for Jiang Xian to have much desire to read.

Jiang Xian remembered that Guang Weiran often said that the publishing standards of People's Literature had declined and was a bit behind the times.

Now he has the most intuitive experience.

Although People's Literature is recognized as the "royal publication" in the literary world, when it comes to the level of publishing, the most respected banners and benchmarks in the cultural world today are Shanghai Literature and Harvest.

When it comes to publications that are popular among readers, People's Literature is probably not on the list, and even readers' expectations for this publication are declining.

This is probably closely related to this publishing style.

If there are no outstanding articles in a publication and it is boring and rigid, who would be willing to keep reading it?

"Alas, is a publication used to complete tasks or to be read by readers?" Jiang Xian sighed.

“There’s a lot of resistance.”

Wang Meng also sighed, "Since I came to People's Literature, I have been trying hard to make this publication inclusive and broad-minded. Unfortunately, up to now, even our internal comrades have found it difficult to reach a consensus, and the publication has not undergone any real changes. This is a failure in my work."

"Take it easy." Jiang Xian comforted.

Wang Meng definitely has her own way of expressing her artistic taste and judgment.

However, it is difficult to display this in People's Literature.

In terms of system, People's Literature is just the old-fashioned one, and its management style is the one from the planned economy era.

The thinking is rigid, the management is very rigid, there is no flexible incentive system, and it can be said that the internal situation is stagnant. The editorial department has a completely fixed literary perspective, and this fixed literary perspective has limitations.

It is inevitable that literary vision has limitations.

Take Wang Meng for example, he also has his own limitations.

In later generations, Zhu Wei, who had just greeted Jiang Xian, told a story that "People's Literature" once invited Ma Yuan, who was then emerging, and paid him to write a novel specifically for "People's Literature".

Ma Yuan wrote his masterpiece "Fiction", which is considered one of his most important works. However, in the end "People's Literature" did not use it and asked him to turn to other publications. The novel was finally published in "Harvest" and became popular all over the country.

Zhu Wei explained that it was actually because Wang Meng did not approve of Ma Yuan's narrative deconstruction and "narrative trap" techniques in "Fiction", and she also could not accept the dark and gloomy descriptions of leprosy and leprosy villages in the work. In the end, "People's Literature" did not use it.

"Let's not talk about this for now. I can give in to other things for now. What I am pushing for now is personnel changes."

Wang Meng said sternly, "The publishing house has already decided that there will be no president or vice president in the future. There will only be deputy editors-in-chief. You are on the list. Your appointment as deputy editor-in-chief will be discussed at the meeting of the Writers Association at the end of this year. You will serve in the publishing house first."

"it is good."

Jiang Xian nodded and chatted with Wang Meng for a while.

Push the door open again.

He took a long breath.

"That's it."

To be honest, Jiang Xian was unwilling to step into the muddy water of People's Literature.

It’s too messy here and it’s too easy to offend people.

But it's no use saying anything now.

Now that we have been dragged into this, the most important thing is to get some benefits as soon as possible.

The position of deputy editor-in-chief.

Although Wang Meng said that she would wait until the end of the year for the Writers Association to discuss it, it was probably just a formality.

Since Wang Meng has already spoken, his position as deputy editor-in-chief of People's Literature is a done deal, and all he has to do is wait for Wang Meng to hold a meeting to announce it.

As the deputy editor-in-chief of the "royal publication" "People's Literature", he will also be a very important figure in the literary world in the future.

"Oh my dear, don't worry, I will only hold your red sleeves for you in this life"

Humming a little tune, Jiang Xian walked around the editorial office of People's Literature. He looked heroic and proud, like a lion patrolling his territory.

"Teacher Wang Fu!"

"Comrade Jiang Xian!"

Jiang Xian looked at Wang Fu and greeted her.

"Oh, you're back from the United States?" Wang Fu looked at Jiang Xian and sighed in his heart.

Once upon a time, she led Jiang Xian to "Contemporary" to compete with Liu Yin for manuscripts.

At that time, Jiang Xian was just a small author.

Things are different now. Wang Meng has mentioned Jiang Xian’s appointment as deputy editor-in-chief of People’s Literature several times at internal meetings of People’s Literature, and this matter has basically been finalized.

Looking at the young and energetic face in front of me.

Wang Fu couldn't help but sigh.

Young and promising.
When I was his age, I was still doing odd jobs in the editorial department and running errands for the senior editors.

As for Jiang Xian, he has become a mainstay in the literary world.

"How's the filming of 'Furong Town' going?" Pulling Jiang Xian to sit down, Wang Fu asked with concern.

"Hibiscus Town"

Although Jiang Xian has been in the United States during this period, he has always kept in touch with the crew of "Furong Town".

In fact, there will basically be no problems if the film is handed over to Xie Jin.

There was also Grandma Qing, who was really arranged by Xie Jin to serve meals to the crew every day. It was said that she had a tantrum and cried, but Xie Jin did not tolerate her and scolded her. Grandma Qing wiped her tears and continued to serve meals to the crew obediently, and her technique became more and more proficient.

Alas, Grandma Qing probably could never have imagined that the real mastermind behind this was the old thief Jiang Xian.

However, Jiang Xian still admires the actor Qingnai.

In later generations of the entertainment industry, all those 90s and 95s young actresses who market themselves as strong women every day are no match for Ren Qingnai.

Look at Ren Qingnai, she is a real strong woman, with courage and means, and she has experienced ups and downs. Her life is more exciting than online novels.

This woman is attractive.

We still need to cooperate more in the future.

After chatting with Wang Fu about "Furong Town" for a while, Jiang Xian was also a little concerned about the crew, so he simply called the Shanghai Film Studio. He didn't get in touch with Xie Jin, but got in touch with the literary editor Zhu Hongsheng, who was the one who came to him to ask for the copyright, Li Xiaolin's husband, and Ba Jin's son-in-law.

"We have finished shooting the exterior scenes, and are now filming the interior scenes at the factory. When will you come to Shanghai to take a look?"

"Shanghai?"

Jiang Xian shook his head. "I just came back from the United States. I won't be going to Shanghai for the time being."

"Come here, I have something else I want to talk to you about." Zhu Hongsheng said.

"What's the matter?" "Oh, I heard that you left the Film Creation program at the Beijing Film Studio."

"You guys at Shanghai Film Studio are well-informed."

"It's such a big circle. We know exactly what the Beijing Film Studio does."

Zhu Hongsheng smiled and said, "I heard that you are not planning to go back to host Film Creation?"

“I don’t have that idea for now.”

"Oh, what a coincidence! Our Shanghai Film Studio also has a publication that publishes scripts, called "New Movies."

Jiang Xian was stunned. "Old Zhu, what do you mean?"

"hey-hey."

Zhu Hongsheng smiled and said, "We are in need of someone to take charge of the situation here, so we want to invite you, a great Buddha, to come over. This is just in time, since you have already broken up with the Beijing Film Studio."

"."

Jiang Xian never expected that he would become such a popular person.

Just after I graduated from Beijing Film Studio, Shanghai Film Studio took notice of me and immediately extended an olive branch.

"Okay, okay. I'm busy. I appreciate the kindness of Shanghai Film Studio." Jiang Xian declined.

"Ah, okay."

Zhu Hongsheng felt very sorry.

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Xian returned home, picked up his daughter and coaxed her for a while.

Then he sat alone in his study. Only the last part of "War Horse" was left to be written, and he was ready to complete the writing of the last part of "War Horse".

Ever since hearing Jiang Xian's idea of ​​re-launching "Today" overseas, Zhao Zhenkai's long-dormant heart began to stir again.

He recalled that the English name of Today was chosen by Jiang Xian.

At that time, everyone's initial opinion was "Today", but they all thought it was very ordinary. Finally, Jiang Xian proposed "The Moment", which immediately won everyone's heart.

The idea of ​​moving abroad has been finalized, and I have been preparing for it during this period of time.

That day he came to Jiang Xian's house and chatted with Jiang Xian about "Today" for a while.

"You go to Iowa first. I have a house there and I have many friends there. So you can start the magazine in Iowa first." Jiang Xian said.

His house in Iowa would have been a waste of money if it had been left abandoned, but now that it has become the base of Today, it doesn't seem like it was bought in vain.

"Establish a cultural industry company and register the magazine under the company name. It shouldn't require too much investment in the early stage. If there is a need in the future, we will look for investors. But there is no rush. The atmosphere in the United States is different from that in China. You should adapt to it first."

Jiang Xian gave Zhao Zhenkai instructions one by one, and finally said: "I also found an assistant for you."

"Who?"

"Zhong Acheng."

Zhao Zhenkai was sent to the United States, saying that he was going to start Today, but in fact he was just starting a business.

Coincidentally, Zhong Acheng is a jack of all trades. This guy can even repair cars.

In addition, some time ago, Zhong Acheng also pulled Mang Ke into the business, and the two of them learned how to do advertising business. Unfortunately, it didn't work out and the company soon went bankrupt. However, they did gain some entrepreneurial experience.

The only flaw is that Zhong Acheng doesn't speak English.

Zhao Zhenkai can make up for this.

Jiang Xian sent him and Zhao Zhenkai to the United States to run "Today". Jiang Xian was more confident in the character and ability of these two people.

Well, Zhao Zhenkai still has connections.

That’s right, connections.

Zhao Zhenkai is a genuine second-generation person. He grew up in the compound of the State Planning Commission. Needless to say, he was surrounded by people of all kinds since he was a child, and many of them developed in the United States.

Then there are the writers that Zhao Zhenkai knows, quite a few of whom are also in the United States.

In short, Jiang Xian felt it was very reliable to have the two of them hosting "Today" in the United States for him.

When Jiang Xian thought of the free business environment, he couldn't help but imagine his own business empire.

In short, he would start with a magazine, starting from paper media, and then develop into the publishing industry. He could also enter the entertainment industry, music, film and television, and slowly build his entertainment industry empire there.

Well, this has a bit of the flavor of the reborn characters in online novels.

In short, the starting point of everything is "Today".

Only if this magazine is successful will his entertainment empire have a chance to turn from a castle in the air into reality.

Today is the foundation.

After they chatted for a while, Zhao Zhenkai caught a glimpse of the piles of manuscripts written in English on the table and couldn't help but be surprised.

"What is this manuscript?"

"Oh, it's a novel I wrote recently." Jiang Xian handed over the manuscript with a smile.

Zhao Zhenkai glanced at the first line of the homepage.

"Warhorse? What's that about?"

"Probably, the life of a horse." Jiang Xian said after thinking for a while.

"Rare."

Zhao Zhenkai glanced at the beginning and found that the novel was actually written from the first-person perspective of a horse.

This way of writing is very rare in the country nowadays.

Domestic literary novels are basically written from the perspective of humans, and there are very few that use animals as the first perspective.

"I know you are good at English, but I didn't expect you could also write English novels." Zhao Zhenkai said.

"I have also published several articles in the United States." Jiang Xian said with a smile.

Zhao Zhenkai would soon discover this after he went to the United States, so Jiang Xian took it as a precautionary measure for him.

"Jiang Xian, are you planning to submit this manuscript to the United States?" Zhao Zhenkai asked.

“I intend to publish it.”

"How about giving it to us for our own use before publication?" Zhao Zhenkai suddenly said.

"For your own use?"

"Put it in the first issue."

Zhao Zhenkai said, "Wouldn't this save me the trouble of collecting manuscripts later?"

"That's not a bad idea." Jiang Xian nodded.

The quality of the novel "War Horse" is absolutely up to standard. Putting it in the inaugural issue of "Today" will add considerable influence to the magazine.

Besides, it will not affect publication.

He only needs to wait for a while after the first issue of "Today" is published, and then contact "War Horse" for publishing.

Of course, it may affect some sales, and then affect the royalties received by Jiang Xian.

But Jiang Xian didn't lose out either.

After all, "Today" is his own magazine, and the influence of the magazine has been enhanced, which is a benefit that cannot be bought with money.

The two of them quickly decided on this matter.

Zhao Zhenkai also became more and more interested in Jiang Xian's "War Horse" which would be published in the inaugural issue of "Today".

"Have you finished writing this novel?"

"It's finished."

"Then shall I take a look at it first?"

(End of this chapter)