Chapter 267 Seal! Build momentum! dinner!
Random House, Editor-in-Chief's Office.
As the publishing director, Kate Quinn hurriedly knocked on the door, her joy beyond words: "Dealers in several cities called again and said they were out of stock and "Saving Private Ryan" needed to be reprinted."
“Saving Private Ryan” again?”
Jason Epstein is both the editor-in-chief and the deputy general manager in charge of publishing and distribution. These days, he is receiving one after another Phone calls from dealers urging Random House to replenish the stock.
"Yes, this novel has the potential to become a bestseller."
"How are the sales and orders now?"
"Excellent!"
Kate Queen Ning said that "Saving Private Ryan" was reprinted twice before, with 500 copies at a time. In addition to the first 2,000 copies, 3,000 copies were distributed nationwide. Currently, 2,318 copies have been sold, and the sales are still rapid. The ground rises.
“Give me the list.”
Jason Epstein carefully studied the list of dealers. Queens, New York, Chinatown, San Francisco, San Gabriel, Los Angeles, etc. are basically areas where Chinese and overseas Chinese gather.
"I asked someone to do some research."
Kate Quinning took out a copy of the "Chinese Express".
Jason Epstein took it and saw densely packed traditional Chinese characters. Although he couldn’t understand a single word, it did not prevent him from making a judgment, “So, the main buyers of books now are Asians?”
Kate Quinn nods Said: "The readers of this kind of Chinese-language newspaper are basically Chinese, covering many Chinese communities. Thanks to their vigorous publicity, "Saving Private Ryan" has greatly increased the attention of Chinese readers, and its sales have naturally opened up. ”
"That's really weird."
"What's so weird?"
"When "Saving Private Ryan" was published, why didn't these newspapers report it immediately? "Jason Epstein wondered: "Why are you suddenly promoting "Saving Private Ryan" a month or two later? "
"This newspaper has already told us the answer? ”
“Really?”
"I specifically asked an Asian person in the company who understands Chinese to translate it. She said that the author and translator have come to the United States these days."
Kate Quinn showed a bright smile.
“They are in the United States now?”
Jason Epstein was greatly surprised, “It is not easy for Chinese writers to come to the United States. What is their purpose of coming?”
Kate Quinn said: "They are here to participate in the international writing program. You must have heard of this program, right?"
"Of course!"
Jason Epstein was surprised, "I didn't expect that they would be invited to participate in this writing program at the University of Iowa."
"This is for us, But it’s a great thing.”
Kate Quinnen said, The dialect's status as "famous Chinese writer", "famous Chinese young dramatist", "invitee of the International Writing Program", etc. can be used as a publicity stunt for "Saving Private Ryan". Chinese Americans and those who are full of yearning for China Readers are all potential buyers of this novel.
“There are also associations and veterans who retired from World War II.”
Jason Epstein added.
Kate Quinn readily agreed. Every year, Random House sends a bunch of recommended reading lists of military-themed novels to veterans associations, veteran clubs and other organizations in various states.
"Saving Private Ryan" will also be on this year's list.
Thinking of this, he said: "We should carefully discuss how many copies of this novel are appropriate."
"Maybe we should take a risk."
< br>
Jason Epstein pondered for a moment and reported ten thousand copies.
"Ten thousand copies?" Kate Quinnen said in surprise, "That's too many. What if we can't sell them all?"
Jason Epstein shook his head and said: "According to the novel Judging from the quality and sales, 10,000 copies is not the limit. What we have to consider now is how to thoroughly explore the value of this book.”
Kate Quinning proposed to give "Saving Private Ryan" a title. To build momentum, Random House has a whole set of strategies and routines for hype.
For example, find the New York Times and other media to write book reviews.
"Besides these, I have an idea."
Jason Epstein said that in a while, the annual American Library Association annual conference will be held.
"You want "Saving Private Ryan" to appear at the American Library Association annual meeting and be shortlisted?"
Kate Quinn understood.
This annual meeting is the pinnacle feast of the American book industry. "Don't you think this book deserves a nomination?"
Jason Epstein smiled.
“Of course it’s worth it!”
Kate Quinn smiled knowingly, “Based on quality alone, I think there is a 70% to 80% chance of being shortlisted, but if you want to win the award, you must It needs to be strongly recommended by an authoritative person in the book industry, such as you, the winner of the first National Book Award."
"Then it depends on whether it is worth it."
Jason Epstein thought about asking Dialect to come to New York before sending out invitations to the Library Association's annual meeting and exhibition.
“But no matter what, as long as it can enter the long list of the National Book Conference Awards, the novel will almost certainly be a bestseller.”
Kate Quinn said: “So I think we are Isn’t that too conservative? Printing 10,000 copies seems too little!”
“Hahaha!”
In an instant, bursts of laughter broke out.
In this way, the additional 10,000 copies of "Saving Private Ryan" were quickly restocked, and at the same time, they began to be slowly distributed to the Midwest.
Especially the red states in the south are not only the traditional vote base and territory of the Elephant Party, but also the area with the largest number of veterans of World War II.
As for the author of the novel, Dialect changed all the way and finally arrived in Iowa City, Iowa, but it still took more than half an hour to take a bus from the airport to the University of Iowa.
As soon as they got off the station, everyone carried large and small bags and came to the gate of the University of Iowa. They saw Nie Hualing wearing a cheongsam, wearing glasses, with slightly curly hair, elegant, dignified and intellectual.
"Paul asked me to apologize to you. He has class in the afternoon and cannot come to greet you."
"You're welcome, you're too polite."
Xiao Qian raised his hand and then introduced dialect to her.
Nie Hualing looked at Shen Yanbing's disciple and said in surprise: "I thought you would be very young, but I didn't expect you to be so young."
Fang Yan smiled and expressed She expressed her gratitude for being invited to participate in the international writing program, and then introduced Bai Ruoxue, Wang Anyi, Pan Yaoming and others to her so that they could get to know each other.
After a few brief greetings, Nie Hualing led a group of people to the "Mayflower" apartment where they would live for the next few months.
As soon as the receptionist met, he gave Fang Yan and others a lot of information, such as room number, mailbox number...
For example, which days of the week are the days for garbage collection, which days of the week there are movies in the evening, and the use of How many coins should be inserted into the washing machine.
Because the number of rooms is limited, two people share one room.
Fang Yan and Pan Yaoming shared a room, Ru Zhijuan and Wang Anyi shared a room with their mother and daughter, and Bai Ruoxue was arranged to share a room with a female writer from Xiangjiang. The kitchen, bathroom, and study room were all shared.
You also need to cook three meals a day by yourself.
Fortunately, there is a new Asian goods store nearby where you can buy some.
“Every week, someone will drive you to supermarkets and Asian new goods stores to buy food and daily necessities.”
Nie Hualing said patiently, nothing happened big and small.
Fang Yan opened the refrigerator and found it was empty.
"Tomorrow morning, you can go shopping."
Nie Hualing said that the International Writing Project will provide each person with a stipend, about US$1,800, which is equivalent to three months of living expenses.
"What about dinner..."
Pan Yaoming and others looked at each other.
“Of course, come to my house, we will entertain you well.”
Nie Hualing said that their home is on the hillside of a mountain behind the Mayflower Apartment, quite a distance away close.
Fang Yan said: "Then we won't be polite."
"You're welcome, don't be polite."
Nie Hualing waved his hand, "I am somewhat partial to Chinese writers A little, I will take more care of you. In the following days, you We will feel at ease and will be very happy."
Then he said kindly: "It's almost done, let's set off. I've also invited writers from Baodao to have dinner tonight."
< br>“Treasure Island?!”
Fang Yan and Bai Ruoxue looked at each other thoughtfully.
(End of this chapter)