Crossover: Pen name: Dazai Osamu, Omega Kasumigaoka

If it's left unfinished, or the quality declines, or I can't continue writing...

Then the book would be completely ruined, which would be detrimental to both the working class and the publisher.

On the contrary, they might get scolded.

Therefore, publishers are very cautious about soliciting manuscripts.

They are even more cautious with newcomers.

The combination of high school students and traditional literature has already made Yamamoto and Noboru somewhat hesitant.

Seeing Yamamoto Kazuto's troubled expression

Kitahara Makoto, who had also worked as an editor, knew his concerns.

Having been underestimated by Fukui Eikami earlier, he didn't want to drag things out any longer and wanted to recoup his losses first.

So he said directly

Is Editor-in-Chief Yamamoto worried about the quality of the later parts of the book?

Yamamoto Kazuto was slightly taken aback, but seeing that Kitahara Shin had brought it up, he went along with it.

"Yes, Kitahara, you are too young. I am a little worried about your future performance and the quality of your books."

"After all, Shinchosha is a large publishing house with a very good reputation in the industry. If there are problems with the serialized works, I won't be able to explain it to the president!"

"What if I said I've already finished writing 'No Longer Human'?!"

"Ok?"

Yamamoto Kazuto and Nagai Ikumi were startled, staring at Kitahara Makoto with surprise.

Kitahara Shinichi then pulled a stack of printer paper from the backpack next to him.

Because he needed to meet with the publisher's editor, he went back to his rented apartment before leaving to bring out the complete manuscript.

However, Eiichi Fukui was naive and never even saw the complete version of "No Longer Human," which led to a breakdown in their negotiations.

Now Kitahara really doesn't want to waste any more time and procrastinate any longer.

Furthermore, Shincho Publishing House is a leader in the traditional literary field, with well-established channels and extensive connections, making serialization and publication here highly advantageous.

So he simply increased the stakes.

Given the quality of "No Longer Human," I don't believe Yamamoto Kazuhiro wouldn't be tempted.

"Is this the complete manuscript of 'No Longer Human'?"

Yamamoto Kazuto looked at the manuscript in Kitahara Makoto's hand and asked...

"That's right, I've finished writing 'No Longer Human'. If the quality of the later parts is good, could Editor-in-Chief Yamamoto allow me to start serializing the book?"

"If the quality of the rest is okay, then yes!"

Yamamoto Kazuto was decisive; as long as this difficulty could be resolved, the rest would be no problem.

Moreover, he himself held "No Longer Human" in high regard.

Kitahara Shin smiled gently and handed over the manuscript paper in his hand...

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Chapter 8: The Incomprehensible World of Geniuses

"call……"

A few hours later, in the quiet reception room, Yamamoto Kazuto breathed a sigh of relief after finishing the last page.

He looked up at Kitahara Makoto, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief this time.

He simply couldn't believe it—such a powerful book, such soul-stirring words.

It was actually written by a high school student.

How could such a young person write such a poignant and sorrowful story?

"Is this the world of geniuses? It's truly beyond the comprehension of ordinary people like me!"

Yamamoto Kazuto sighed softly to himself.

Meanwhile, Ikumi Nagai, standing next to him, quietly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Those lines of beautiful, sorrowful words, filled with extreme grief.

After seeing it, she felt as if countless silver needles were pricking her, which made her terrified, fearful, and trembling, and she couldn't help but shed tears.

"Kitahara-san, please make sure our Shinchosha publishes this book, I beg you!"

Yamamoto Kazuto said with utmost solemnity.

After reading the entire book "No Longer Human," he had already concluded that it was an excellent book.

Once released, it will surely cause a sensation in the entire Japanese literary world.

As a literary editor, he certainly couldn't let such a high-quality work pass him by.

Kitahara Shin smiled slightly:

"Sure, I'll submit my work to your Shinchosha. I originally intended to serialize it here."

With both parties agreeing to cooperate, the rest is simple.

Sign the contract and pay the money.

In the Japanese publishing industry, royalties are paid on a 'uniform system'.

In other words, most people use the same 'manuscript paper' with 300-350 words.

The fee is 4000 to 6000 yen.

Most authors charge this price, so there's no need for haggling.

It saves editors a lot of trouble, and it also saves authors a lot of trouble (of course, this is not absolute; great writers can break the rules and raise prices).

Of course, the money from serialization is only a small part.

The real money comes from publishing 'single volumes'.

That is, to compile them into a book and then sell them as a whole book.

Like Yu Hua's "To Live," it was first serialized in newspapers before being published as a standalone book, which then made a fortune.

No Longer Human is a novella with more than 50,000 words.

Kazuto Yamamoto decided to befriend Kitahara Makoto, a genius, and offered him the highest price of 6000 yen for a single sheet of manuscript paper.

Based on this calculation, Kitahara truly earned his first pot of gold.

One million yen.

At that time, the annual salary of the working class in Japan was around four million yen.

Kitahara Makoto instantly earned a quarter of what others earned in a year.

Although this amount of money isn't even enough to buy a toilet in Tokyo.

But that was enough to improve his life during this period.

At least the embarrassing situation of wanting to book a hotel room but not having enough money will no longer occur.

Moreover, what Kitahara Makoto is most looking forward to is the release of the collected volumes after the serialization ends.

Based on the terrifying sales figure of six million copies of "No Longer Human" in its previous life.

If all goes well, my dream of buying a house in Tokyo will soon come true.

After the contract was signed, Yamamoto Kazuto asked another question.

"Kitahara-san, when you publish your book, will you use your real name or a pen name?"

"Life is a book, and I am buried in it."

"Just look at the flowers, don't look at me."

"Let's use the pen name 'Dazai Yasushi'!"

Kitahara Makoto didn't want to attract too much attention.

Besides, the first book was also copied from Osamu Dazai, so I might as well use the pen name Dazai Ye as a tribute to Osamu Dazai.

Yamamoto Kazuto felt something was amiss.

Most people in the Japanese literary world use their real names; very few use pen names.

Because writers held a very high status in Japanese society, on par with politicians and big businessmen.

Society is very tolerant of writers; as long as they don't commit fundamental errors, they can be forgiven.

In Japan, for example, a second-rate writer had relationships with more than thirty female fans while still married.

When his wife found out, she simply said, "It's normal for a talented man to be a womanizer," and forgave him.

Society is very tolerant of the romantic escapades of intellectuals.

In their view, it's normal for literati to be romantic and unconventional.

As long as it's not illegal, it can be forgiven.

On the contrary, romantic and literati are more likely to be sought after and worshipped.

Therefore, many writers use their real names directly, and relatively few use pen names.

However, using a pen name is not a big problem, Yamamoto Kazuto nodded.

"Ok."

"correct."

Kitahara Makoto suddenly said, "When you're doing your promotions, you can focus more on my high school student status."

In modern society, publicity is essential for a work of art.

It is something that cannot be ignored.

Although I have confidence in the quality of "No Longer Human".

But Kitahara Makoto still hopes to do better.

Upon hearing this, Yamamoto Kazuto and Nagai Ikumi's eyes lit up.

A high school student wrote a traditional literary work that could be serialized in Shinchosha magazine.

This is a very topical issue.

If they, Shinchosha, were to promote it extensively again.

It quickly attracted a lot of attention, causing the magazine's sales to rise.

Of course, if the article is of poor quality or not good enough.

Then Shinchosha and Kitahara Makoto will face a barrage of criticism from readers.

At that time, not only Kitahara Makoto himself, but also the reputation of Shinchosha will suffer.

Both Kazuto Yamamoto and Ikumi Nagai, who caused this incident, will have to pay a huge price.

However, Kazuto Yamamoto has confidence in "No Longer Human".

He knew this after reading the entire novel "No Longer Human".

This is an excellent work that is better than 99.9% of the books currently on the market.

As long as it's published, it will definitely gain the readers' approval.

Therefore, he agreed to Kitahara Makoto's publicity strategy without hesitation.

"can."

"When the new issue of the magazine hits the shelves, we will use Kitahara-san's real identity as the main selling point!"

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