Crossover: Pen name: Dazai Osamu, Omega Kasumigaoka

Although the serialization ended, the impact of "No Longer Human" on the literary world was only just beginning.

.......

Shinchosha, the pristine white reception room.

Kitahara Makoto, Yamamoto and Noboru, and Nagai Ikumi sit opposite each other.

A steaming cup of tea was laid out on the table.

Kitahara Shin took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and asked, "How many copies does your company plan to print for the first time?"

He came here at the invitation of Yamamoto Kazuto to discuss the publication of the single volume.

The serialization of "No Longer Human" in the weekly magazine has ended, and the next step is to print it into a book for sale.

This is also the time to truly test "No Longer Human".

Japan is, after all, a capitalist society, where everything revolves around money.

If you can't make money, no matter how high the artistic value or how good the quality, it won't matter.

Capital will not be wasted on it.

The promotion that "No Longer Human" is currently enjoying will all disappear.

Therefore, the release of the standalone volume is related to the commercial value of "No Longer Human" and the commercial value of the author, Makoto Kitahara.

Yamamoto Kazuto said with some excitement.

"We plan to print 50,000 copies for the first time!"

"Ah."

Kitahara Makoto nodded, seemingly satisfied with the number.

Don't be fooled by the seemingly small number of 50,000.

However, each situation should be analyzed individually.

First of all, "No Longer Human" is literature, and it is not like romance novels, which are commercial books that sell well (of course, the social impact of the two is incomparable).

Secondly, Kitahara is a new author.

Unlike some established authors who have a certain fan base to support them.

For an author who was 'penniless'.

The fact that 50,000 copies were printed on the first run already shows that Shinchosha has a very high opinion of Kitahara Makoto.

For most new authors, their first print run is usually 10,000 or 20,000 copies; if they get 30,000, they're lucky.

That's why publishers are so cautious.

This brings us to the topic of Japanese royalties.

In Japan, royalties are not distributed to authors after the product is sold.

Instead, they pay first, then sell.

For example, if a publishing house wants to print 50,000 copies, the royalty is 10%.

So when printing begins, the publisher will have to pay the author the royalties for those 50,000 copies.

As for whether the remaining 50,000 copies can be sold out.

That's the publisher's own business.

It has absolutely nothing to do with the author.

The publishing house bears all the operational risks.

If they can't sell all the stock and end up losing money, the publisher has no choice but to bear the consequences.

This is precisely why Japanese publishers are very cautious.

Before each edition is released, a very rigorous investigation is conducted to accurately control the number of copies printed.

Since this involved a large sum of money, Kitahara Shin didn't hesitate and asked again:

What price are you planning to set?

"2500 yen, and according to industry practice, I'll give you 10% as royalties!"

Yamamoto and Noboru replied calmly.

Books are expensive in Japan. Comic books are a little cheaper, costing around 700-800 yen each.

For works of pure literature, a single book can cost at least a thousand.

"2500, 10% royalties, 50,000 copies for the first time, which means I can immediately get 12.5 million!"

Kitahara Makoto's eyes lit up. More than ten million yen—this was the first time he had ever seen so much money.

Although I still can't realize my dream of buying a house in Tokyo.

However, this amount of money is equivalent to three years' income for an average wage earner.

If used to improve one's life, it would be enough to live a very comfortable life.

And this is just the beginning.

In its previous life, "No Longer Human" achieved a record-breaking sales of 6 million copies.

The initial print run of 50,000 copies is definitely not enough to meet demand.

With each subsequent reprint, Kitahara Makoto received royalties.

Moreover, according to industry practice, if a book has a print run of more than 500,000 copies, the royalties will increase to 20%, which is double the original amount.

In addition, there are other miscellaneous fees such as library fees, citation fees, etc.

One book, "No Longer Human," is like a gold mine, bringing him a huge income every year.

If all goes well, I'll rely solely on this one book, "No Longer Human".

Even if Kitahara Makoto stops writing books now.

That's enough for him to live a comfortable life for the rest of his days.

Of course, Kitahara Makoto would not be satisfied with just one book, "No Longer Human".

In his previous life, he saw the truly luxurious lives of the rich through the internet.

Yachts worth tens of millions of dollars, sports cars worth millions of dollars, mansions worth hundreds of millions of dollars, islands bought for hundreds of millions of dollars, and all kinds of luxurious enjoyment and luxury goods.

Spending money like water, dazzlingly extravagant, more like an emperor than an emperor himself.

And where is he now?

Having been given a second chance at life, I now possess advantages that others cannot match.

I wouldn't dare say I've reached the pinnacle of the world.

But you'd need to have a net worth of at least several billion dollars, right?

Ideally, another large and wealthy family should be established that spans more than three generations.

To make a significant impact on the top powers in this world.

That's what makes the trip truly worthwhile!

After Yamamoto and Noboru finalized the basic terms of cooperation.

Kitahara Makoto quickly signed a contract with Shinchosha.

The contract included the royalties that Shinchosha would pay him, as well as the payment schedule.

At the same time, he also had to cooperate with the Shincho-sha's propaganda.

These mainly consist of more than a dozen offline autograph sessions.

This is a primary means for many writers to promote their works!

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Chapter Sixteen, Book Signing Event: A Huge Success

In the reception room.

After signing the contract.

Kitahara Makoto and Yamamoto Kazuto both wore pleasant smiles.

Yamamoto Kazuto said enthusiastically, "I've reserved a private room at the izakaya next door. Their grilled fish is the best in the area. How about we have a casual lunch together, Kitahara-sensei?"

"Then it would be disrespectful for me to refuse."

Kitahara Shin replied with a smile as well.

It is very common for editors to treat authors to meals.

For an editor and publisher, famous authors and promising authors are treasures with strong commercial value.

Like nuclear weapons, they are an important tool for publishers to expand their market and make profits.

Therefore, besides reviewing and revising manuscripts, editors usually have other tasks to do.

Maintaining good relationships with the authors under your supervision is also an important part of your job.

This will make it easier to commission articles next time.

……

At noon, Yamamoto Kazuto warmly entertained us, and lunch was very sumptuous.

In addition, due to their status and age.

No one dared to force Kitahara Makoto to drink.

So he enjoyed the meal very much.

On his way home, Kitahara Makoto passed by a 'Tiffany' jewelry store.

Suddenly, a thought struck me.

Thinking about how long it's been, I realized I haven't given either of these ladies a proper gift yet.

Previously, it was because of financial difficulties.

It's different now.

Half of the royalties, five million yen, have already been received.

The remaining half will arrive after all the book signings have ended. This is to prevent him from being uncooperative or shirking his duties during the signings.

Although five million is not a lot of money.

But buying some gifts would definitely be enough.

Thinking of this, Kitahara Makoto turned and walked into Tiffany's.

Then, under the guidance of the sales assistant, I bought two necklaces, each worth one million yen.

Although two-fifths of the royalties I had just received disappeared in an instant.

But for the two women...

Even if it costs ten or a hundred times more, it would still be worth it.

Kitahara had the two necklaces packed into a gift box, then turned and left in a cheerful mood...

……

……

As the release date approaches.

Shinchosha began to mobilize its resources to promote Kitahara Makoto and "No Longer Human" in the media.

Shinchosha is focusing its marketing strategy on Kitahara Makoto's identity as a "high school student".

He was showered with praise.