Chapter 381 Implementing the Royalty System
"High? Does it depend on royalties?" Wang Meng was a little curious after hearing this.
“I estimate that this long novel has one million words. According to the national policy, the maximum of 1,000 words is 20 yuan, which is about 20,000 yuan.”
“Twenty thousand yuan. In the early 1980s, the price was still good, for a household worth 10,000 yuan, but prices have risen dramatically in recent years," Wang Meng finally said.
Fang Minghua told the truth.
"Actually, what Lu Yao relies on is not royalties, but royalties"
"Royalties? The publishing house actually gave him royalties?!" Wang Meng was very surprised.
"Minister Wang, his book was not published by a publishing house, but by a private publishing company affiliated with the publishing house and bought an ISBN for publication."
Fang Minghua said at that time " No one was interested in "The Ordinary World", so I did my own work. A private publishing company in Xijing called Shengshi Books purchased the ISBN of Pengcheng's Haitian Publishing House, and the book was successfully published.
He briefly explained the whole process. Of course he did not mention that Shengshi Books owned half of his shares. He only said that the general manager of the company was his good friend and was willing to help.
Selling book numbers happens from time to time in various publishing houses. State-owned publishing houses have a rigid system and low market sensitivity. In addition, they have many staff and heavy burdens, and they need money.
The newly emerging private publishing company is flexible in its operations and cannot obtain ISBNs for publication due to national policies, so the two hit it off.
The competent national authorities also turn a blind eye, as long as you don’t publish any reactionary or pornographic books and periodicals, and pretend not to know.
Wang Meng naturally knew about this, and he did not mention buying a book number, but said with emotion: "Your friend has good taste. Hey, Xiaofang, tell me in private, and gave it to Lu Yao How much royalties are there? I will never tell others!"
"Minister Wang, I can only say that I will give you 10% of the sales revenue of this book," Fang Minghua said with a smile.
10%!
Wang Meng was surprised.
He made a rough estimate in his mind. If he published 500,000 sets, then Lu Yao would get at least more than 300,000? !
"Lu Yao really made a fortune this time." Wang Meng laughed, "But I have to remind him that he must pay taxes according to national policies and never evade taxes!"
"This Don’t worry, Lu Yao has paid his taxes on time.”
Fang Minghua suddenly revealed this matter to Wang Meng today, of course he had his own purpose.
"Minister Wang, I think that Lu Yao deserves such a high income for writing such a novel! It took three or four years to write a book, and in the end he even broke down physically. The highest manuscript fee he could get was 20,000 yuan. The price is really too low. Not only Lu Yao, but other writers are also facing this dilemma. Prices have risen sharply in recent years, and this fee has long been unable to keep up with the rise in prices."
"Yours. You mean, implement a royalty system?" Wang Meng heard the implication of Fang Minghua.
“Yes, just like abroad, if the novel is well written and readers like to read it, and if it sells more, it should earn a higher income.”
Wang Meng thought for a moment and replied ：
"Xiao Fang, you have a good idea, but it is not easy to implement it. The adjustment of interests involving authors, publishing houses, distribution channels and other aspects cannot be solved by issuing a red-headed document. It’s not going to cause trouble.”
From his position, he naturally sees, knows, and needs to consider more comprehensive aspects than Fang Minghua. Of course, there are some things that cannot be said to the young man in front of him. Said.
Fang Minghua also understands, how can such a big thing be changed by just saying a few words?
That is really amazing.
So he said: "Minister Wang, you are right, but it is undeniable that the royalty system is the future trend. I think in terms of national policy, it is not necessarily mandatory now, but it can be encouraged and promoted. In this way, those writers who have good works can boldly talk to the publishing house and fight for their rights! "Haha, Xiao Fang, you are asking those outstanding writers to make a revolution." Wang Meng laughed after hearing this.
Fang Minghua smiled and said nothing.
It is said that Wang Shuo also negotiated with the publishing house back then and fought hard to obtain copyright income?
I hope this day comes sooner.
After chatting with Wang Meng for a while, Fang Minghua saw that it was getting late, so he said goodbye and left.
Although Wang Meng did not express his position at the time, he believed that Wang Meng would actively promote this matter because he is also a writer himself!
Sure enough, it didn’t take long for Wang Meng to mention this in an interview with a reporter, saying that the royalties for writers in our country are too low and that the lack of a royalty system is not conducive to mobilizing the creative enthusiasm of writers and is not conducive to the entire literary career. For the development of the industry, a royalty system should be implemented in a timely manner.
Although it is just Wang Meng's personal opinion, the weight is different when it comes from a minister.
Many newspapers quickly reprinted this interview news.
Fang Minghua saw this news in Guangming Daily and admired Wang Meng's spirit of daring to speak out and take responsibility.
Although it is just a personal interview, some smart writers and publishers have already smelled something from it, right?
Wang Shuo is such a person.
At this time, he was shirtless and eating at home.
Like many people, Wang Shuo also has the habit of reading newspapers while eating.
When he looked at this news, he was stunned for a moment and suddenly said: "Damn it! We are also going to implement a royalty system in our country!"
"Royalty system? Let me take a look." Shen Xujia, who was sitting opposite, also came over curiously.
In recent times, I have been hearing Wang Shuo nagging that Fang Minghua made a fortune publishing novels in Hong Kong and overseas because of royalties. It's a pity that I don't have this blessing. Now I heard my husband mentioned royalties again, so I quickly took a look.
After watching for a while, Shen Xujiacai said: "This is just an interview, not a red-headed document."
"You don't understand politics." Wang Shuo put down the newspaper and clicked. Lighting a cigarette: "This is called creating public opinion! Before major policies are introduced, they often have to be released to see what everyone's attitude is."
"It's not as high-hanging as you said, right?" Shen Xujia disagreed and retorted. .
"Although Wang Meng is the minister, don't you mean that now that the publishing house is no longer under the control of the Culture BU, the newly established Press and Publication Administration will be responsible."
Shen Xujia is right. Just this year (1987) In January 2016, the state established the Press and Publication Administration, an agency directly under the State Council to conduct administrative management of press and publication work across the country. "
Wang Shuo pondered for a moment and said fiercely: "No matter how much, I have always planned to publish a collection of my novels. When the time comes, I will negotiate with the publisher and ask for royalties! If you don’t give it, I won’t publish it! "
"Okay, okay, let's eat first. ”
Wang Shuo’s collection of novels has not yet been released, but another brother from the courtyard has already discussed the matter with the publisher with his own novel.
His name is Hai Yan.
(End of this chapter)