Chapter 23 National Outstanding Short Story Award
Three days later, Lu Yao’s letter was sent to "Yanjing Literature and Art".
Fang Yan couldn't wait to open the envelope, read "Thrilling Scene" carefully, and frowned.
"What's wrong, did you find any good works?"
Wang Jie noticed that his face became more and more solemn.
"Take a look."
Fang Yan finally understood why this novel was so frequently rejected.
Wang Jie looked at it for a while and realized that the scale inside was so large that she couldn't grasp it at all, so she immediately handed it over to Ji Xiuying.
This aroused the curiosity of Li Yue and Huang Zhongguo.
"A Thrilling Scene" was circulated among the editorial offices, and the reviews were surprisingly unanimous. The novel is indeed a good novel.
But I am extremely confused about whether I can publish it.
Ji Xiuying asked Fang Yan and Wang Jie to invite Wang Meng and Zhou Yanru respectively. They were the editor-in-chief and the director of the editorial office. It was up to them to decide whether "Thrilling Scene" could be published.
"Okay."
Fang Yan went to the editor's office to invite Wang Meng, and the entire editorial department started discussing Lu Yao's novel.
“Completely different from the current mainstream literary direction.”
"Yes, the focus on that period is different from scar literature. It is positive but not completely positive, but it is also different from reflective literature. It is intense but a little extreme."
"... ”
Looking at the busy crowd, Wang Meng cautiously Dao:
“This work still has flaws. The biggest problem is that there are traces of chiseling in many places, which cannot be connected with the life of that period that many people have experienced and are familiar with.”
“I basically agree.”
Zhou Yanru handed back the manuscript and said, "Yanzi, please write back to him and just say that it is not suitable for publication in our publisher. Please submit it elsewhere."
When Dialect heard that it was going to be rejected, he tried to save it.
After all, he is also one of the five tiger generals he has booked!
“Oh, tell me what you think.”
Wang Meng said with great interest.
"I think it is precious because no work has reflected it in this way before, and it is based on true events."
Fang Yan has no stage fright, "Although the processing is a bit rough, many details are well written. It’s very real, and the writing is very simple, without any flashy meaning. I think it’s rare.”
Everyone was surprised when he said this.
Regardless of whether the comments are accurate or not, with this insight alone, even a blind person can see that he is a good candidate to be an editor.
I have only been an assistant editor for a few days, and that’s it!
In a few years, it will still be possible!
"You said this is true, how do you know?"
Wang Meng keenly noticed the key points.
Fang Yan described the twists and turns from how he met Lu Yao to the submission of the manuscript, including that if the manuscript was rejected by "Yanjing Literature and Art", Lu Yao would burn the manuscript with a fire and tell the truth.
“It turns out that you and Lu Yao have known each other for a long time!”
Wang Jie suddenly realized.
Zhou Yanru and others do not think that the literary world has just recovered, and the entire literary world is united. As long as it is a good work, even if it cannot be published in its own journal, it will help find a way out.
"The 'Shaanxi Army' is indeed a new literary force worthy of development." Wang Meng looked at Fang Yan, "I didn't expect that you were already thinking about "Yanjing Literature and Art" before you joined the job. ”
“It was a mistake.”
Fang Yan responded modestly to everyone’s gaze.
"However, although 'Shaanxi Army' is worthy of development, and I also recognize the quality of Lu Yao and his novel, it still cannot be published."
Wang Meng explained that the current task of "Yanjing Literature and Art" is to Good standard-bearer to promote the wave of reflective literature in the new year.
Fang Yan nodded in understanding.
Just like the songs in a concept album must revolve around a theme, the same is sometimes true for literary journals. "Thrilling Scene" obviously does not meet the approval of "reflection".
"We can't do it, but we can give it to "Contemporary" or "October" for a try." Wang Meng suggested. "October?"
Fang Yan knows "Contemporary" but has never heard of "October".
"It's normal that you don't know. "October" was only published at the end of 1977. It only has a book number and the issue number has not yet been approved, so it can only be distributed within Yanjing, and it is a quarterly magazine."
Wang Meng said: "There are currently 5 issues out."
"What about voting for "Contemporary"?"
When Fang Yan heard this, he immediately ruled out "October".
“This is naturally the best. If it can’t even be published in “Contemporary”, then it really won’t work.”
Wang Meng thought again and again: “Leave the manuscript here with me. I'm going to visit "Contemporary" these days, so I'll pass this on to editor Qin Zhaoyang, who is a veteran in the editing world."
"I would like to thank Editor Wang on behalf of Lu Yao."
Fang Yan. Exhaling a breath can be regarded as the most benevolent and righteous act.
The grade of "Contemporary" is higher than that of "Yenjing Literature and Art". If it can be published in "Contemporary", it is equivalent to a blessing in disguise.
"Lu Yao's matter is settled, let's talk about your matter."
Wang Meng, Zhou Yanru and others looked at each other.
“Me?”
Fang Yan said in surprise.
Zhou Yanru smiled brightly, "This year's selection of national outstanding short stories has begun."
Fang Yan heard that "The Wrangler" was recommended by "Yanjing Literature and Art" to the editorial department of "People's Literature", the organizer, first I was surprised, but after thinking about it, I felt it was natural.
The literary trend set off by "The Wrangler" across the country continues. Various versions of novel collections issued by major publishing houses have included "The Wrangler" in the 1979 short story anthology.
The National Outstanding Short Story Award, as the first national literary awards event held in contemporary times, has been regarded as a weathervane in the literary world since its establishment in 1978. For example, Mo Shen, Liu Xinwu, and Lu Xinhua won the awards, which is an affirmation. The value of scar literature.
As the first person to start "reflective literature", is there any reason why he should not be selected? The nationwide publicity cannot be in vain!
"Your and Zhang Jie's works have passed five hurdles and defeated six generals. They have entered the selection committee's candidate works and are ranked very high. "Wrangler" even entered the top five."
Wang Mengshen A palm with five fingers spread out.
“Top five!?”
Wang Jie’s eyes gleamed, “Does that mean we will definitely win the prize?”
“It can only be said that it is very likely.”
Wang Meng showed a meaningful smile.
“Yeah!”
When Wang Jie thought about the new writer he discovered and won the National Outstanding Short Story Award on his debut, his face turned red with excitement, “Did you hear that, Yanzi? , very likely to win!"
Looking at her who was even more excited than him, Fang Yan raised a smile, "Editor Wang, when will the results be announced?"
"March? Around midday.”
Wang Mengdao: "There will also be an awards ceremony later. In addition to the leaders of the Writers Association, award guests and colleagues in the literary world, film studios such as Beijing Film Studio and Bayi Film Studio will also come here to compete for these award-winning works and let their studios Change it into a movie.”
“There’s another thing.”
Fang Yan raised his eyebrows.
"Have any film studios contacted you recently?"
Wang Meng looked at him with amusement.
"No."
Fang Yan was also puzzled. He had already written the script, but after waiting and waiting, he didn't receive a letter asking him to make a movie.
"That's because the film studio doesn't know your address. Several studios have called me, saying they are interested in "Wrangler"."
Wang Meng said: "I I didn’t ask for your permission, so I didn’t disclose your address. Instead, I asked them to attend the awards ceremony and talk to you in person.”
“Thank you, Editor Wang!”
Fang Yan was secretly excited, this is coming!
(End of this chapter)