Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 12: Respect for Talent
Cui Daoyi was about to leave the office when Zhang Guangnian called him back.

"I forgot to ask you because I had a good manuscript. Who wrote this novel?" Zhang Guangnian asked curiously.

"Let me keep you in suspense for a moment, and you can guess what it is?" Cui Daoyi walked back to Zhang Guangnian's desk and said mysteriously.

"It must be an experienced author. New authors can't write novels with this kind of depth. Look at what new writers are writing these days. In the past ten years, there has been a serious gap in the ranks of writers," Zhang Guangnian said with a pained expression.

She continued, "This isn't just any veteran author; it's definitely a veteran author with a certain level of skill. But it's strange, I've never seen this writing style before. I wouldn't say I've read every author's work, but I've at least read the works of the famous ones."

"Hey, Lao Cui, stop keeping me in suspense, I'm sweating bullets again."

"Old Zhang, you're wrong. Let me tell you, this is a newcomer. At least I can guarantee that I've never seen this person's name in any magazines in Yanjing or in the old Harvest magazine, and I don't even know that such a person exists."

Look, this is an envelope from Henan Province. I just don't know how old it is.

"You're not lying to me, are you!" Zhang Guangnian snatched the envelope from Cui Daoyi's hand, his eyes widening suddenly. It took him a moment to recover from his shock: "He really is a newcomer."

Pen names are common in literary circles, but this one is clearly a real name. I've never heard of this place before. Old Cui, could it be that a literary genius has suddenly appeared in our literary world?

"He's truly a genius. Old Zhang, there's something else. How should the royalties be calculated? For a veteran author, the standard rate is definitely over five yuan, but he's a new author, so according to convention..."

In 1977, my country officially reinstated the royalty system, which had been suspended for ten years, with the standard rate for manuscripts being 2-7 yuan per thousand words. During those ten years, authors did not receive royalties.

Instead of paying royalties, they came up with a "clever" solution: sending authors sample copies of their books according to the standard royalty rate. For example, after completing his novel "Li Zicheng," writer Yao Xueyin received 250 sample copies from the publisher.

After ten years, one author finally couldn't take it anymore. A middle school teacher wrote to the authorities complaining that he was losing money not only not making any money from writing his book, but also losing money.

This is how he calculated it: he wouldn't receive royalties after publication. But he had to entertain readers who visited and reply to their letters. With a monthly salary of just over forty yuan, the book would not only fail to make money but would also wipe out his entire month's wages.

Fortunately, he wasn't famous; if he had, he would have had to borrow money to write books.

So in 77, after research, royalties were reinstated. Writers were greatly encouraged, and once their manuscripts were published, their lives became much better.

"We can't follow the usual practices when it comes to such talent. We must dare to break with convention and show respect for talent. What is respect? Respect is reflected in the royalties. Let's go with 6 yuan per article. Old Cui, everything is in need of rebuilding now. We need to focus on both readers and authors."

For a magazine, the most important thing is quality. And quality is the author. If anyone has a problem, let them come directly to me.

"Understood. I'll take the manuscript back and take another look. I don't see anything that needs to be changed yet. Also, Henan Province is quite far away, so I'm thinking of not making any changes, or having me make minor revisions. Otherwise, with all the back and forth, the publication date will be a month or two away."

Almost no new writer doesn't revise their manuscripts, but Cui Daoyi believes that if manuscript fees can break the norm, then revisions can certainly do the same.

"I agree, go ahead and do it!"

When Cui Daoyi returned to the main editorial office, the editors who were reviewing manuscripts immediately looked up, their eyes fixed on the draft in his hands, each one practically wanting to snatch it away. A manuscript praised by a renowned editor like Cui Daoyi must be exceptionally brilliant. The fact that the editor-in-chief had spent so much time studying it after giving it directly to him confirmed it was a truly heavyweight piece.

"Old Cui, the manuscript." An editor smiled and pointed, indicating that Cui Daoyi should take a look.

"Okay, take turns. Also, wipe the sweat off your hands so you don't wet the manuscript."

As Liu Yimin pedaled his bicycle home with all his might, a letter arrived at Maiji Brigade with the postman. The postman rode a 28-inch bicycle with newspapers and magazines hanging from the crossbar, parcels strapped to the seat behind him, and a green canvas postal satchel on his body.

This shoulder bag had become dirty and a dull green color due to its age. It was filled with letters, small but important items, so it was always carried with it.

Being a postman was one of the most enviable jobs of our time, as they received a government-subsidized food ration and a salary. Furthermore, they enjoyed high social status; in an era where communication relied primarily on letters, they were people many families looked forward to seeing.

The postman was puzzled by the address of the letter. Why would the editorial department of *People's Literature and Art* send a letter to such a poor place? Then he saw the recipient's name—Liu Yimin. His doubts deepened. He knew Liu Yimin; he was a junior high school teacher in Maiji Brigade.

Many people in rural areas were illiterate, so if they wanted to send a letter, they had to find someone literate to write it for them. Many people asked Liu Yimin to write letters for them. In addition, Liu Yimin frequently subscribed to literary magazines such as *Yanjing Literature* and *People's Literature*, so through frequent contact, they naturally became acquainted.

His impression of Liu Yimin was that he was a young man who loved reading and one of the few cultured people in Maiji Brigade.

After delivering the latest newspaper to the brigade, he hummed a song as he arrived at Liu Yimin's doorstep.

"Is anyone home?" the postman called out, but the Liu family members were all working in the fields and naturally wouldn't open the door.

The postman thought for a moment, and was about to stuff the letter under the door, but then he thought it wouldn't do.

Suddenly, he saw Li Lanyong emerge from the ditch on the other side, so he waved and asked, "Lanyong, where's that kid Liu Yimin?"

“He went to take the college entrance exam, so what? Just slip the magazines he ordered under the door, it’s not like you’ve done this before!” Li Lanyong said with a smile.

“It’s not a magazine, it contains a letter from Liu Yimin. I’m telling you, this letter is from Yenching. I won’t feel comfortable handing it to him myself.”

"Yanjing? He doesn't have any friends in Yanjing. Are you sure you're not mistaken?" Li Lanyong ran over, took the letter from the postman, and started reading.

After reading it, Li Lanyong subconsciously asked, "People's Literature and Art? What's that?"

"Look at you, you never read books or magazines. People's Literature is a national-level literary magazine, and this is a letter from the editorial department. I'm just wondering, there's usually only one reason why the editorial department sends a letter: it's a notification of acceptance or a notification of revision. Otherwise, the editorial department wouldn't send a letter."

But how come I didn't know Liu Yimin had submitted a manuscript to *People's Literature*? Besides, that's impossible; how could Yimin suddenly become a writer?

The postman had no intention of continuing to deliver the mail; he just wanted to know if it contained a notification of acceptance for publication in "People's Literature and Art."

(End of this chapter)