I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 646 Toni Morrison's First Shot

In January, the temperature in New York is very low.

Liu Jin originally planned to drive a sports car, but after checking the road conditions, he decided to switch to the Chevrolet Tahoe.

Originally, this car was meant for Eva to drive.

But Eva drove it twice, only twice, and then she started complaining that she wanted to change cars.

Firstly, it's too strenuous; secondly, it's too bulky and doesn't look good.

Women are visual creatures; when a woman doesn't like something, she'll discard it like trash.

Liu Jin didn't care. In this weather and road conditions, he actually thought Tahoe was more suitable, and besides, there were three people with Mela.

……

Just as Liu Jin had guessed, Genevieve also arrived.

Although she got her job from Liu Jin as a bodyguard, her responsibility was Mela's safety.

After all, France...

It's a long story now.

With Genevieve by Mela's side, Liu Jin felt a little more at ease.

"Amos, can we talk for a bit?"

After Liu Jin picked up Mela and the other two, he was about to leave when he was stopped by a reporter, followed by a photography agency.

America is a typical outdoor journalist.

She came to the airport today looking for news, but unexpectedly ran into Liu Jin, so naturally she couldn't give up.

"I am Huang Ruili, an intern reporter for CBS."

She was excited because the recent attacks on Liu Jin by Black media outlets had made her keenly aware of the news value of the story.

Huang Ruili?
A somewhat familiar name.

However, judging from her makeup, it's a very typical ABC (American-born Chinese) makeup look.

He felt a bit disgusted, but since she was of Chinese descent, Liu Jin thought he should give her a chance to avoid being accused of discriminating against people of Chinese descent.

"What to talk about?"

"King said in an interview that Diddy is a good person."

Why don't you want to be friends with him?

The words themselves contained a trap.

Liu Jin glanced at her, about to speak, when Chloe interrupted, "Miss Huang, please watch your words. King thinks someone is a good person, that's his personal opinion. Mr. Amos is an independent individual, he doesn't need to agree with other people's opinions. Also, I hope you won't edit the report, I have a recording here."

Chloe said, waving the recording pen.

"May I ask you are……"

“I am Amos’s lawyer.”

Miss Huang's expression changed slightly.

Liu Jin laughed and pointed at Miss Huang, saying, "I know what you're trying to do."

I have the right to choose who I want to work with. I can work with Spike, I can work with Samuel, but that doesn't mean I have to work with Will or that Diddy guy. Besides, who is King? Is his word the law? I don't know any Diddy, and I've never met any Will, so why should I work with them?

And you are a woman!
You should side with the woman, instead of just believing everything you hear.

After he finished speaking, he got into the car, leaving Miss Huang and the photographer outside, and drove away.

……

"It seems you're having a tough time in New York."

Mela sat in the car and lit a cigarette.

"I'm not really sad, you know I don't care about these things at all."

I'm busy teaching and writing all day; I don't have the energy to argue with them. Besides, so what if they say it? My book sales have actually increased! You have no idea how bizarre those people's thought processes are—they actually bought up all my books and then burned them. Nancy was telling me about it today; some of my older books saw sales increase by over 100,000 copies last week.”

"Then you should treat us."

Chloe couldn't help but laugh.

Mela said, "I'm relieved to see that you're in good spirits."

Elizabeth Danbad published an article the day before yesterday discussing the discrimination European actresses face in Hollywood…

"I asked Emmanuel for help."

"That old hag attacked you in the newspaper last year for not respecting women."

"Which is more important, my personal disrespect or being discriminated against by the group? The old hag isn't stupid; she knows very well which side to take."

Unfortunately, it's too far from America; the message hasn't arrived yet.

Mela said, "It will be here soon. Mr. Lagardère has already contacted Warner-affiliated media outlets to reprint it."

Moreover, through Hachette Filibert's channels, he reprinted Danbad's articles in various European countries.

Including Great Britain…you know, Hachette has Orion Publishing's distribution channels in Great Britain, it's very easy.”

"Didn't the British newspapers report it?"

"How could there be no reports? Those people on Fleet Street are so bored, they're just looking for gossip news, and here's the material."

I heard that many French actresses have been interviewed by them.

Chloe asked, "What's the situation with the media in America?"

"Right now, the ones attacking me are basically a few Black newspapers, but the more authoritative ones, like the Philadelphia Tribune, haven't taken any action yet; they're probably just watching. Don't worry, Will Smith alone can't cause any trouble."

"Is Monica alright?"

"She's fine, Sophie is with her over there."

Genevieve suddenly spoke up: "I actually quite like Will Smith."

Mela and Chloe both turned their heads and looked at her.

Genevieve quickly replied, "But I don't like it anymore!"

Liu Jin was driving when he couldn't help but burst into laughter!
……

When I got home, Eva still hadn't returned.

Mela and the other two conscientiously tidied up their respective guest rooms.

The room, which had been rather quiet, suddenly became lively.

Mela was reading Liu Jin's new book in the living room, while Chloe and Genevieve were preparing dinner.

"Your book has quite the ambition."

Mela is a seasoned editor, and she noticed the clues even from the short article.

Liu Jin smiled but did not respond.

"Who are you planning to give this book to?"

"It'll most likely go to Random House... Sencroil said she's going to persuade Nancy to buy out the priority publishing rights for a high price, following the academic group model. Of course, I won't refuse money offered to me. Besides, this book isn't suitable for publication by Hachette. I've discussed it with Mr. Lagardère, and he said there's no problem, and we can continue to cooperate in the future."

Mela breathed a sigh of relief.

There was no way around it; Hachette was the first publishing house in France, and Lagardère was a shrewd and resourceful man.

Compared to him, Elena Landon is not even worthy of being mentioned.

Mela read a book while chatting with Liu Jin.

When it got dark, Eva returned.

He grabbed Mela and Chloe and started talking non-stop.

Liu Jin went into his study, glanced at the webpage, opened the document, and continued writing "Amos's Fantastic Journey 3".

……

New York, July 19.

Before Liu Jin's counterattack could even begin, an unexpected person appeared.

Toni Morrison, a Black female author.

I once served as a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival and had some interactions with Liu Jin.

But not many!
When she appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", host Jimmy Kimmel suddenly asked her a question.

“Tony, I’ve noticed some media outlets recently discussing whether Amos is racist. You should know Amos. In your opinion, does he have that tendency?”

Toni paused, then glanced at Kimmel.

However, she did not refuse to answer.

After a moment of contemplation, he said, "I've had contact with Amos; he's a great young man."

Based on my understanding of him, he is by no means a racist; in fact, he is a victim of racism.

I know what you want to ask.

Jimmy, let me be frank... On this matter, I'm definitely on Amos's side.

"why?"

"Because I am also a writer!"

Toni laughed, "The whole thing started when Will took a fancy to one of Amos's books. Then Amos gave the book to Monica... Heh, everyone knows Amos is a womanizer... Actually, it wasn't that complicated at first. If Will had approached Amos to discuss it, I believe Amos would have given him a very dignified answer, even if he refused. But Will used methods he shouldn't have."

Toni doesn't care about Will Smith at all.

In most cases, celebrities hold a higher status than writers.

However, compared to top writers, celebrities are nothing.

Even an actor like Tom Hanks has to show Toni the respect she deserves.

It's not just because Toni is Black; more importantly, she's a bestselling author and the first Black woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. She holds a prominent position not only in America but globally.

Jimmy looked surprised.

"This is the first time I've heard of this. What methods did he use?"

Judging from his expression, it seems he doesn't know.

But who is Toni Morrison? Born in 1931, she is 76 years old this year and can be said to have a keen eye for human nature.

She already understood that Jimmy Kimmel had probably received some instructions!
We're all in the same industry. Even though he's just a host, how could he possibly miss anything that happens in Hollywood?
But Toni didn't care.

She's so old, why would she care about Will Smith? Why would she care about Diddy?

Even though they have the same skin color.

"As far as I know, Monica was negotiating with Columbia Pictures at the time."

Will interfered, threatening Columbia Pictures that he would refuse to star in "Hancock" unless they canceled negotiations with Monica... I have a good relationship with Amy, and she discussed this with me. I think Will crossed the line!
A work of art is like the author's child.

The author holds absolute authority over his work.

If all the actors, like Tom Hanks and Bruce Willis, took a liking to a particular work and recklessly tried to snatch it away, that would be the greatest disrespect to the author. Why would Will Smith dare to do that? It's because Amos is Chinese! Perhaps Will Smith believes he has the power to decide Amos's work without needing to negotiate?
My God, I can't imagine.

If such a thing were to happen, where would the author's dignity be?

Jimmy Kimmel nodded repeatedly, indicating his agreement with Toni's point of view.

"So, actually, it was Will who discriminated against Amos, right?"

"I don't think it's wrong to say that."

An angry expression appeared on Toni's face.

It's worth noting that although Liu Jin is Chinese, he is a top-selling author in Europe and America, and a Pulitzer Prize winner.

If even someone like him can be bullied, how can an ordinary writer refuse when faced with a celebrity's forceful demands?

Certainly not!

This is not just about Liu Jin's rights, but about the rights of all writers, including Toni herself.

"As for Diddy, I'm very sorry, I like blues and jazz, but I'm not really familiar with rap."

What is his identity?
How dare they openly threaten me to my face?

"But King said he's a good person, the best person in the world."

"A good person? A good person wouldn't threaten others, a good person wouldn't distort the truth in the newspapers to attack others..."

And who is the King?

"Forehead……"

Jimmy Kimmel sensed that Toni was about to explode.

In America, who doesn't know King?
Toni's words were tantamount to pointing her finger at King and yelling: "You think you're King? You're nothing!"

In the world of basketball, you can act like a tyrant, but in the world of writers, you, the King, are worthless.

"And, doesn't anyone care about poor Monica?"

She obtained Amos's permission and eagerly went to the film company, only to be humiliated and oppressed by the male actor.

I find it hard to believe that women in America still suffer such injustice. Is this still America? Is this still the country I know, the one that upholds women's rights?

……

Liu Jin also watched this episode, and to be honest, he was a little surprised.

He truly hadn't expected Toni to speak up for him.

At first, he thought Tony would side with Will and attack him.

Liu Jin had already planned how to respond if Tony made any offensive remarks... but this is what happened.

Chloe asked with a smile, "Amos, how much did you give her?"

"I haven't contacted her at all."

Which publisher does ABC have a close relationship with?

"what?"

"It's definitely not a coincidence that Jimmy Kimmel suddenly brought up your matter on the show."

Liu Jin scratched his head, indicating that he was not aware of this.

He knew that CBS and Simon & Schuster had a close relationship.

However, CBS, short for Columbia Broadcasting System, and Columbia Pictures are considered to be the same company.

This is also why Simon & Schuster has been slow to respond.

Furthermore, Liu Jin was well aware of the close relationship between HarperCollins and News Corp.

Of the five major American television networks, Liu Jin couldn't get in touch with NBC, but CW, which belongs to WarnerMedia, agreed to help.

But ABC?

I'm not very familiar with Liu Jinzhen.

It was a company that spun out of America's NBC television network and later grew rapidly in partnership with Disney.

They hold the rights to broadcast both the Super Bowl and the Oscars.

It has considerable influence.

But why should I suddenly show him kindness?

Or perhaps he was trying to dig a hole, but Tony accidentally set it off?

It's hard to say!

America's system is too complex. Even though Liu Jin studied it in his previous life, he still couldn't figure it out.

A group of scholars? Or Random House?

If these two companies are related, there's no reason not to inform him beforehand.

"What do you think?"

He turned to Mela and asked.

Mela rolled her eyes. "You're in New York every day and you still don't know? How would I know?"

After saying that, she picked up her phone, got up, and walked out.

A moment later, she returned to the living room and looked at Liu Jin with a puzzled expression, asking, "Do you have a partnership with Macmillan Publishing?"

Liu Jin immediately shook his head.

"You should know best which publishing house I'm working with."

“I just learned through the Singer family’s connections in America that Ms. Annette Thomas contacted Ms. Anne Sweeney. Annette is the CEO of Macmillan, and Ms. Anne Sweeney is the president of ABC.”

Liu Jin shook his head, still looking bewildered.

He didn't recognize either of them!

Not to mention even having any contact with them...

On TV, Toni and Jimmy had changed the subject.

Toni can speak without restraint; she's a writer, after all.

But Jimmy Kimmel didn't dare to go any deeper, since Toni had already steered the conversation toward feminism.

This is not a topic that Jimmy Kimmel Live! is willing to delve into.

Just then, Liu Jin's phone rang.

He glanced down at it and then answered the call.

"Monica, what's wrong?"

"ABC wants to do a feature interview with you? And they want to invite me and Eva as well?"

"Eva probably doesn't have time. She's been busy with directing a stage play lately, and it seems to be related to their academic credits."

I……

It depends on the time; I've been quite busy lately.

In New York?
That should be fine!

Monica, what topic do you want to talk about?
Regarding the gender discrimination experienced by European actresses in America, was it specifically mentioned by Ms. Anne Sweeney?

......"

Liu Jin hung up the phone and looked up at Mela.

He seemed to vaguely understand the mystery behind it!
……

(End of this chapter)