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

Chapter 300 O. Henry Short Story Award

In the editorial department of the China Book and Periodical Publishing House in the United States, Niki Noyce and her brother Coe Noyce are sitting in the office watching television.

The main speaker on the television forum was K. Noyce, who spoke eloquently about the popularity of Chinese books and periodicals in the United States.

He also hinted to the audience that several best-selling books in China would be published soon, all written by one person—Liu Yimin, the author of "Green Book".

He also announced on television that "Green Book" had sold 60,000 copies in the United States in just two months, demonstrating the appeal of literature and proving that literary works still have a place in the United States!
"Liu—a promising young writer whose works from the East will set off a reading frenzy across the United States."

Colin Neus is now a television celebrity. Since China's reform and opening up, he has frequently appeared on television to discuss Sino-US friendship and cultural cooperation.

In addition, appearing on television is also a form of publicity. He's even invited by major television stations, which allows him to earn money and promote himself, so he's happy to attend these forums.

"Is the translation of 'Triumph at Midnight' finished?" K. Noyce asked.

Nicky Noyce crossed her legs and said, "It'll take another week, and the rest are still being translated. This isn't an easy task. Let's think about how many copies 'Green Book' will ultimately sell!"

“I have no worries about the prospects of this novel. The American people will pay for ‘love and redemption’! I think, I think it will at least make it into the top 20 of the bestseller list this year!” Colin Noyce said with a smile, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Haha, the more the better! My Chinese friend is really looking forward to earning 'foreign exchange' for China!"

"What kind of person is he?"

“He’s an interesting person, and very bold. He knows a lot about history, and when he learned that we were a missionary family, he immediately brought up the shady things that missionaries did in China!”

"So, he's a nationalist!"

"I think he's right, he's a nationalist!"

“Interesting, a nationalist has written our history of racism!” Cohen Henry smiled slightly.

"Ko, I think you're wrong. There's a fundamental difference between nationalism and racism!"

"Of course I know, I'm just marveling!"

After a long while, Colin Noyce received a phone call. He looked slightly excited, and after hanging up, he excitedly told Nikki, "Your friend is going to win an award! He's going to win our American literary prize!"

“Pulitzer? No, they only award it to Americans, right? Is it a history prize? If it is classified as history, it makes a lot of sense, since this is indeed history.”

Cohen Henry looked at his sister helplessly: "You're really good to your Chinese friends. How could it be Pulitzer? If this is categorized as history, then the Pulitzer Prize will be nothing more than dessert."

It's the O. Henry Award!

“Oh, that’s good too. The judging committee finally made the right choice this time. I need to find a way to inform my Chinese friends!” Nikki said, standing up with a smile.

The O. Henry Prize was established in 1919 with funding from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, primarily to honor the master of the short story, O. Henry.

The awards are given annually, with first, second, and third prizes awarded to original English-language novels published in American periodicals.

It is not limited by nationality and is a short story, which makes Liu Yimin a perfect fit!
O. Henry, along with Guy de Maupassant of France and Anton Chekhov of Russia, are known as the three great masters of the short story in the world, and have a huge influence worldwide.

"What prize?" Nikki asked.

"It's currently being judged, and the lowest award is third place. However, given the current influence of 'Green Book' in the United States, I think we can also compete for first place!"

Colin Neuschwanstein had already decided that once the winners were announced, he would promote the event in the media to boost sales.

Besides Colin Noyce being very concerned about the sales of "Green Book," Li Congren, who had returned to the United States, was also very concerned.

I frequently collect information about the Green Book and recommend it to my friends!

Li Congren was also watching an interview with Knox. After finishing it, he turned off the TV out of boredom. The phone rang, and Li Congren greeted the person on the other end of the line out of boredom.

Upon hearing the voice on the other end, he immediately sat up straight: "Which article are you going to publish?"

"It's this one, the story of Emperor Wu of Han hammering nails! The story about washing restaurant dishes seven times in China wasn't accepted? I guarantee they're all true. The story of Emperor Wu of Han hammering nails was told to me by my Chinese friend."

When Emperor Wu of Han was a child, he often threw tantrums. Every time he did, his father would make him hammer a nail into a wooden stake in the imperial garden, and each time he regained his temper, he would pull out a nail. After he had regained his temper and pulled out all the nails, Emperor Jing of Han, Emperor Wu's father, said to him earnestly, "Our temper tantrums are like nails; even if you pull them out afterward, the wound will never heal!"

Emperor Wu of Han thus controlled his temper, and after coming of age, he became one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history!
After hanging up the phone, Li Congren stood up and looked at the cold building, feeling that he should write more stories like this to enlighten the public.

In mid-September, a bonfire party was being prepared at the rear camp. The film crew had finished shooting the scenes on the front lines and were preparing to return to Yanjing.

As they were about to part, the soldiers wanted to hold a farewell ceremony for them. Li Jun and Wang Yan immediately agreed with Commander Chen and decided to organize a get-together for the film crew and the soldiers.

On the parade ground, lights flickered, and several bonfires were set up around it, each roasting a lamb. The film crew had used 5,000 yuan of their budget to buy meat, vegetables, soft drinks, steamed cakes, and other treats to reward the soldiers and thank them for their care during this time.

The amount of money seemed substantial, but when divided equally among everyone, it wasn't much. So the group also contributed some funds, raising a total of six thousand yuan, and everyone sang and danced to celebrate on the playground.

The aromas of meat, vegetables, and wine were making the soldiers' mouths water. They even watched the song and dance performances in front of them with little interest.

Xizi sat next to Liu Yimin, swallowing hard. Liu Yimin took out a handful of sunflower seeds from his pocket and handed them to him, saying, "Have some first!"

"Writer Liu, I'm not hungry!" Xizi awkwardly swallowed the saliva that was about to spill from the corner of her mouth.

"The next song is 'The Moon Song,' which is our soldiers' favorite. Shall we all sing it together?" Zhu Lin shouted in a hoarse voice.

"it is good!"

The moon in the sky shines on the earth, and the soldiers on the earth gaze at the moon.

After the song ended, Liu Yimin was pushed up to the stage. He took the microphone and said with a smile, "Damn it, why isn't this meat cooked yet!"

"Hahaha!"

"Even writer Liu swears!"

"What an illiterate person! Is this swearing?"

"I'm really craving it, aren't you guys craving it too?"

"greedy!"

"It's okay to crave meat! I just asked Xizi, and he said he wasn't. Comrades, let's be honest, craving meat is fine! There's nothing wrong with craving meat; craving meat represents everyone's yearning for a better life. From now on, let's eat meat every day!"
I saw Xizi cry during the performance of "Song of the Moon," and I believe many others cried as well. They say men don't easily shed tears, but that's only because they haven't reached the point of true heartbreak!

Even the toughest men miss home. Here, on behalf of the people of the whole country, I want to salute you all and thank you for guarding the border!
Some comrades said that singing this kind of song might cause desertion because of homesickness. I said no, because you are the people's own soldiers. Everyone misses home, but it is precisely because you miss home but don't go back that our soldiers' loveliness and greatness are shown!
Let's all sing "The Most Listenable Words" together!

[The warriors of Chairman M listen most to D's words]
Go wherever you are needed

Wherever it's tough, that's where you'll settle down.
The motherland wants me to guard the border.

I'll just shoulder my gun and go.

Pack your bags and set off

】

After he finished singing, Liu Yimin saw that the meat wasn't ready yet, so he said again, "I'm going to tell you a story called 'Chen's Mother Asks About Bravery'! The protagonist is also a border guard!"

Liu Yimin adapted the story and slowly told it to everyone.

When the question "Is my son brave?" was uttered, the entire playground erupted in sobs.
"The bravest of the three armies!"

Liu Yimin wiped away his tears and joined everyone in clapping!
While clapping, Division Commander Wang said to Regiment Commander Chen beside him, "It's such a pity that Yimin doesn't do political work in the army! One story is worth at least as much as a division political commissar's pre-battle mobilization!"

The aroma of meat grew stronger, and the people grilling meat in the front row gestured to Liu Yimin. Liu Yimin smiled and said, "Comrades, let's eat meat!"

Besides roasting lamb, the cooks also opened several large pots, and the aroma of pork immediately wafted out.

(End of this chapter)