1980 My literary era

The fiery months of July and August are the most difficult days of the year in Yanjing. Recently, Renyi will perform the drama "Burning", and Lin Weimin will go to watch the rehearsal every few days.

The play "Burning" was premiered by Renyi last year. At that time, Lin Weimin went to the United States and missed the performance of this play.

In early August, "Burning" was about to be performed at the Capital Theater. Lin Weimin chose a weekend night and specially called Shi Tiesheng and his wife.

Shi Tiesheng likes to watch dramas. Whenever he watches a drama, he can't wait to take a shower and change clothes, solemnly and piously.

Lin Weimin drove his car to pick him up and saw that his clothes were brand new, so they must have been newly changed.

After driving all the way to the Capital Theater, the two couples got out of the car and looked at the gate of the Capital Theater. Shi Tiesheng said with emotion: "It's been a long time since I've seen a play."

Lin Weimin was reminded by him, and after thinking about it, it was really like this. He had only watched dramas a handful of times in the past two years.

Three or four years ago, he would come twice a month.

He looked at the audience lingering at the entrance of the Capital Theater and said, "In the past two years, it seems that dramas have not been very prosperous."

"It should be said that things related to art have begun to decline, and everyone is rushing to make money." Shi Tiesheng said with a smile.

When watching the play, the audience attendance was pretty good. When coming out of the theater, Shi Tiesheng joked: "It seems that Wei Min, your work has a good reputation."

"It has nothing to do with me. It should be Renyi's influence among the audience over the years. No matter what the market is like, Renyi's dramas should not lack audiences."

"That's true. No matter how bad the industry is, industry leaders like these always don't have to worry, just like your publishing house."

Lin Weimin carried Shi Tiesheng into the car, put the wheelchair in the trunk, and while driving, he asked again: "How is your prose going?"

"There are still some, it will probably take a few months."

Since this year, Shi Tiesheng's main focus has been on a longer prose.

When Lin Weimin heard it while he was chatting, he knew that this should be the "I and the Temple of Earth" that made him appear in Chinese textbooks in later generations.

In the past few years, Lin Weimin no longer needs to personally organize manuscripts, and he doesn't pay so much attention to the manuscripts of his friends.

"Don't forget to mention me. I will go to the Temple of Earth with you. There is hard work without credit." Lin Weimin joked while driving.

"You have an important role, so you have to pay for it."

“I am an actor, I don’t get paid but I still have to be paid?”

…

Two days later, Wang Shuo ran to the Chinese Literature Society.

"Weimin, I really asked you to tell me. Huayi came to see me yesterday and said they would publish a collection of essays for me." Wang Shuo said with excitement on his face.

He came here this time to discuss with Lin Weimin about getting royalties from the publishing house.

At the beginning of the year, he excitedly told Lin Weimin that Huayi Publishing House had given him a high royalties to publish a collection of novels, but Lin Weimin deceived him. He felt unbalanced and felt that his royalties would be less.

Huayi Publishing House published his collection of novels "You Will Die If You Are Too Addicted" with a high royalties of RMB 100 per thousand words. In just half a year, the sales volume has exceeded 700,000 copies.

In half a year, 700,000 copies were sold. Even for Lin Weimin, only a few particularly popular works have achieved this.

Having tasted the benefits, Huayi Publishing House recently found Wang Shuo and wanted to strike while the iron is hot and launch "Wang Shuo's Collected Works".

In the past two years, both Guowen Publishing House and Yilin Publishing House approached Lin Weimin about this matter, but he was rejected by Lin Weimin.

This fact is too ostentatious. All his works have been published, and he also published a separate collection of essays. Apart from attracting various public opinions and receiving some recognition of his literary status, it is completely unnecessary. Lin Weimin feels that he does not lack these things.

Wang Shuo was born in 1958 and is only 32 years old this year. Publishing a collection of essays at this age is considered the first of its kind for a living writer to publish a collection of essays.

"You have broken a record." Lin Weimin teased Wang Shuo.

"Stop playing cymbals with me. If you had thought of it, you would have done it long ago. Seriously, do you think the royalties can be a thing?" Wang Shuo looked a little unsure.

"It all depends on whether Huayi is determined to get your work. "Dead by Too Much" sold 700,000 copies in half a year. Do you think they are willing to let go?

I heard that Huayi Publishing House just purchased an Audi 100 last month. "

Lin Weimin's last words aroused Wang Shuo's inner unwillingness again.

All this money is earned from my books, and I haven’t even driven an Audi 100 yet.

"Done! For my book, if you eat meat, I have to drink soup." Wang Shuo said through gritted teeth, then looked at Lin Weimin, "Weimin, how much royalties do you think is appropriate?"

Lin Weimin said calmly: "Of course it's 'Han Xin orders troops, the more the better'."

"Then you have to agree to it!"

Lin Weimin shook his head, looking angrily, "If you don't tell me, you won't be able to do business. Do you understand that you're asking for a high price and you can't pay back the money?"

Wang Shuo nodded, looking embarrassed, "Of course I understand the truth, but I am..."

This coward can talk louder than anyone else, and when it comes to serious matters, he can be more cowardly than anyone else.

"Take Dudu with you and let him talk to Huayi on your behalf."

Wang Shuo was happy when he heard this idea, "It has to be your boy. He's better than a monkey if he's touched by hair!"

If you can't speak, just shut up.

After talking about royalties, Wang Shuo did not forget to complain before leaving, "I would say that your Chinese Literature Society's manuscript fees will also increase. If Huayi pays royalties, how competitive will you be in the future?"

"Ungrateful thing!" Lin Weimin spat at Wang Shuo jokingly.

Wang Shuo's fame began when he published "Stewardess" in "Contemporary". Since then, he has published many works in "Contemporary" in the past few years. As of last year, his works have been collected and published twice, with sales of Both have exceeded 100,000 copies.

The royalties paid to him by the Chinese Literature Society were actually quite high, but it was a pity that in today’s market economy, Huayi offered higher fees, so Wang Shuo naturally had to pay more attention to them.

Lin Weimin's words were of course a joke. Love belongs to love, and interests belong to interests. If affection is used to kidnap interests, no matter how good the relationship is, the relationship will turn against each other.

Two days after sending Wang Shuo away, he appeared again in the editorial office of "Contemporary" with Ma Dudu.

"For the people, it's done!" Wang Shuo hugged Lin Weimin as soon as they met, extremely excited.

Lin Weimin pulled him away, "Done? How many points did we discuss?"

Wang Shuo said happily: "They promised 10% royalties."

"Only 10%?" Lin Weimin couldn't help but frown.

Seeing this, Ma Dudu explained: "He promised me first."

Lin Weimin looked at Wang Shuo. Wang Shuo's face showed a bit of embarrassment, "Hey, I'm too familiar with the editor, so I'm not too embarrassed."

Lin Weimin was helpless, "You, remember, never do business again in this life, otherwise you will lose all your pants!"

Wang Shuo knew he was in the wrong and didn't take Lin Weimin's teasing to heart, and happily wanted to drag him to celebrate.

After receiving a 10% royalty, if the anthology can maintain the sales level of "Death of Addiction" after publication, Wang Shuo's royalties will start at least several hundred thousand, and may even reach seven figures.

Such a great event should be celebrated.

Unfortunately, Wang Shuo was not happy for a few days before reporters blocked the door and asked him if he wanted 10% of the royalties from the publishing house. He was so aggressive that it looked like he was launching an attack to accuse him.

Wang Shuo was a docile donkey, and he got into a fight with reporters after a few words.

"What's wrong with me asking for royalties? Who stipulates that writers have to get that much royalties?"

"What's the matter? Your publishing house is allowed to make a lot of money, but we writers are not allowed to make more?"

"What values ​​are you advocating? Are you talking about money? Why don't you take a salary if you have the ability?"

"Is the publishing house a public welfare undertaking? If it is a public welfare undertaking, I will donate all the royalties without saying anything."

Wang Shuo is a timid person, but he is never timid when talking. He silenced the reporters who came to visit him that day.

Unfortunately, retribution in this world comes quickly.

The reporter was not as good with his words, but he was not slow with his writing. Two days later, Wang Shuo's request for royalties from the publishing house and his "ugly face" talking about the reasonableness of royalties were published in the newspaper, and it suddenly became the focus of the whole country. topic of.

"Money Worship under "Reasonable Royalty"".

In an environment where people are ashamed of talking about profit, such a news report is enough to make Wang Shuo get scolded.

In just a few days, he has received many evaluations such as "China's most money-greedy writer" and "A villain likes profit".

Because he asked for royalties, he was criticized by the public. Wang Shuo was very depressed and went to Lin Weimin to express his concerns to him, swearing.

Lin Weimin was a little embarrassed. Shuozi was his brother. Now his brother was charging ahead. How could he stand aside and watch?

This was wrong, so Wang Shuo was sent to Li Xiangyang from the Yanjing Youth Daily the next day.

"We can't just be scolded without replying. That's not our style."

Lin Weimin's "kind-hearted" encouragement made Wang Shuo immediately high-spirited and started to talk.

Isn't it just a verbal fight? Who is afraid of whom? I have never lost in my life!

In later generations, Wang Shuo has become a famous little steel cannon since the mid-1990s, including Qi Baishi, Zhang Yimou, Li Ao, George W. Bush, Lu Xun, Yu Qiuyu...

As long as he looks unhappy, he will fight anyone he sees.

Now, with the "kindhearted" help of Lin Weimin, Wang Shuo has started talking in advance.

Through the channels of "Yanjing Youth Daily", I interact with critics from the outside world. Unfortunately, facing many media and opponents alone, I am always a little alone.

It is not Mr. Lin's style to let brothers fight alone. After Wang Shuo argued in the newspaper for half a month, Lin Weimin finally spoke out through the "Yanjing Youth Daily".

"Wang Shuo let Chinese writers loose!"

In one sentence, he clearly stated his attitude.

After Lin Weimin spoke out, more and more writers came forward through the media, including Cheng Zhongshi, Lu Yao, Shi Tiesheng, Yue Erhe, Mo Yan, Yu Hua, Ma Yuan, Jiang Zilong, Huang Anyi, Cheng Jiangong, Hai Yan, Liu Heng …

Everyone's speeches were similar. It is not shameful for writers to talk about royalties, and publishers are not fools. It is obviously a matter of mutual consent, and writers should not be harshly criticized for pursuing royalties.

Lin Weimin fired the first shot, and then dozens of well-known writers in the domestic literary world spoke out collectively. Many media outlets that criticized Wang Shuo were at a loss for a moment and fell into aphasia when they saw so many writers working together.

The news that reported the voices of these writers quickly occupied the media space, reversing the originally one-sided situation in an instant.

Through this incident, Lin Weimin showed his influence in the domestic writer circle in the media for the first time, quite like the "big brother" in "Dragon"!