After my divorce, I became a Tokyo literary giant

Chapter 31 Secret Operation
Nine o'clock in the morning, Kodansha headquarters.

"Qun Xiang" magazine editorial department, Monday morning meeting.

Every editor attending the meeting held a data report in his hand. Editor-in-Chief Yamada, who presided over the meeting, stood in front of the whiteboard, writing some sales data with a gel pen.

[March: 5]

[March: 6]

July: 7 (as of the 339850th)

"As you've all seen, sales of 'Group Portrait' have plummeted over the past three months. While sales in July haven't yet exceeded 7, it's unlikely to exceed 35. July's total sales will undoubtedly mark a new low since the turn of the century."

The editor-in-chief had a serious and gloomy expression, and the editors under him didn't look relaxed at all either.

"Our old rival, New Trend, sold 50 copies last month, more than more than us. If we don't change, the gap will only widen..."

Among Japan's five major literary journals, Shincho has always been the leader.

"Gunzo" once had the opportunity to catch up with "Shincho", but now it is being left further and further behind, which is unacceptable to the top management of Kodansha.

"Sales have been declining for several consecutive months, and our content team is inextricably linked to this. Senior management is already questioning our ability to select content..."

Having said this, Editor-in-Chief Yamada looked down sharply.

The team responsible for the content production of "Group Portrait" is of course the editorial department.

The editors present all lowered their heads, and the atmosphere gradually became solemn.

"Yesterday, I attended a meeting with the editor-in-chief and senior management to discuss the main reasons for the current sales decline..." Editor-in-Chief Yamada knocked on the table, asking everyone to look up, before continuing with the analysis.

The decline in sales is not only a problem for "Group Portrait", but the same problem is encountered in the entire field of pure literature - the decline of paper books is an inevitable result of the development of the times!

"We need to adapt to the changing times, lower the barrier to entry for readers, and encourage authors to write works that most readers can understand." Editor-in-Chief Yamada looked down at the editors. "The higher-ups have given us the direction. Sales over the next three months will be the sole indicator of our performance. It's a matter of life and death for many of us..."

"what?"

Many people expressed doubts.

“If sales continue to decline, then we are incompetent and some of us, including myself, will have to be exiled,” Editor-in-Chief Yamada said expressionlessly.

These words made the atmosphere in the meeting room even more solemn.

"Okay, I've already said anything serious in advance. Everyone, keep working hard. Let's adjourn the meeting." Editor-in-Chief Yamada waved his hand.

As usual, the morning meeting ends here, unless an editor wants to make an internal recommendation.

At this time, Yukiho Yonekura, who was sitting in the corner, stood up and said, "Editor-in-Chief Yamada, I have a manuscript that I would like to include on the final list for this year's Newcomer Award."

As soon as these words came out, everyone's eyes turned to her.

Things like internal referrals generally won't be blocked. After all, you're colleagues who see each other every day, so there's no need to make the relationship awkward.

unless……

Hojo Aiko's eyes flickered with a hint of mockery.

Unless the manuscript has the potential to win an award, the internal recommendation may be rejected.

"Let me see it." Editor-in-Chief Yamada raised his hand.

Yukiho Yonekura stood up, handed him the manuscript, and then came back to sit down.

He had a blank expression throughout the whole process and was not as servile as other employees, which made Editor-in-Chief Yamada very unhappy.

The Japanese workplace is a place where hierarchy is very important. There is a strong emphasis on respect and inferiority between superiors and subordinates, and between seniors and juniors. But this woman doesn't respect him, the editor-in-chief, at all...

Editor-in-Chief Yamada held his breath and looked at the manuscript.

He planned to reject her outright, bring her down to earth, and teach her a lesson...

But as he watched, Editor-in-Chief Yamada's expression gradually became serious.

He had just mentioned that the top management wanted to lower the threshold for reading "Group Portraits." This concise and light-hearted novel just fits the bill. After a closer read, he couldn't help but be astounded by his writing skills...

Sitting in her seat, Yukiho Yonekura still had a blank expression on her face, but she was actually very nervous.

His slightly clenched fists were already dripping with sweat. The editors below him also stared silently at their boss.

Noticing that the editor-in-chief's expression had turned serious, Hojo Aiko felt even more unhappy.

It looks like that novel has something interesting?
Tsk, has this woman picked up another good author? How disgusting...

But no matter how good it is, this year's Group Portrait Award is destined to go to Yomiuri Okamoto!
Under everyone's gaze, Chief Editor Yamada finally spoke up and said, "This manuscript is quite good."

"Whoo~"

Yukiho Yonekura breathed a sigh of relief.

"Is this a blank slate writer?" Editor-in-Chief Yamada looked at her.

"Yes!" Yukiho Yonekura nodded.

The so-called blank writers refer to new writers who have not published their works in any magazine or journal.

"Is that so? That's a bit risky..."

Editor-in-Chief Yamada's thoughtful words made Yonekura Yukiho's heart hang in the air again.

"The final selection list for the Group Portrait Award is attracting considerable attention from the industry. Rashly admitting a blank slate could potentially spark negative public opinion. Furthermore, the language used in this manuscript is incredibly common, like something written by a middle school student. The style of writing is completely contrary to the current mainstream literary landscape..."

Listening to his slow words, Yonekura Yukiho frowned: "What does the editor-in-chief mean?"

"The risk is a bit high. Let's not have him participate in the selection process and just publish it in the September issue," said Editor-in-Chief Yamada, pushing the manuscript back from the table. "Then, prepare a long-term contract and have this Mishima sign it."

As a senior industry insider, he could naturally see the potential of "Hear the Wind Sing".

But even if he has potential, it’s useless because this year’s Group Portrait Award has already been decided for Yomiuri Okamoto.

One is a new writer with award-winning potential, and the other is a best-selling author who has been famous for many years. Anyone who is not an idiot knows which side to choose.

Japan has more than a dozen winners of prestigious new literary awards every year, but best-selling authors like Yomiuri Okamoto, whose new books sell two million copies a year, don't produce one in ten years. It is obvious which is more important.

Of course, it cannot be said that Mishima had no possibility of becoming a best-selling author.

So, Editor-in-Chief Yamada plans to offer a long-term contract and sign the person first.

In his opinion, if a publishing giant like Kodansha offers a new writer a long-term contract, the new writer should kneel down and express gratitude to the publisher.

"Editor-in-chief, this..."

Yukiho Yonekura seemed to want to say something but stopped herself.

The Japanese workplace has a serious hierarchy system, and subordinates cannot object if their superiors clearly say no.

but……

Editor-in-Chief, what about your professional ethics?
Yonekura Yukiho comes from a wealthy family and is confident. She doesn't care about the unspoken rules of the workplace at all, so she asks directly: "Excuse me, the editor-in-chief intends to ignore the internal referral rules and insist on rejecting the manuscript, right?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the office froze.

Is this a case of the lower class overthrowing the upper class?

Editor-in-Chief Yamada was also furious. He said coldly, "One of the conditions for Okatake Yomiuri to sign with our company was this year's Group Portrait Award. Do you understand the seriousness of this matter?"

"This is cheating. If it gets out, it will..."

"Ha! Cheating? What do you mean by cheating? Did we interfere with the judging? No, we didn't! We simply excluded unsuitable works from the final judging list within our own rules! It's the publisher's right to decide what works appear before the jury!"

"This is so shameless!" said Yukiho Yonekura angrily.

Hojo Aiko, standing next to her, sneered and said sarcastically, "Oh, Editor Yonekura is truly a man of high moral character. As expected of a daughter of a prestigious family, she can't tolerate even the slightest injustice. After all, even if she loses her job, she still has a mansion and servants back home. That's great, unlike us, who have to work together on some shady dealings just to keep our jobs..."

As soon as these words were spoken, Yukiho Yonekura was directly pushed to the opposite side of all the editors.

"Enough, stop talking! Editor Yonekura, go back and reflect on your naiveté!" Editor-in-Chief Yamada slammed the table angrily and stood up and left.

The rest of the people followed suit and left the meeting room.

Sitting alone in the conference room, Yukiho Yonekura looked around and sighed deeply...

(End of this chapter)