1980 My literary era

"Didn't the novel just come out? Why did you write it again?"

In the evening, Tao Huimin entered the study room with a cup of tea. When she saw Lin Weimin typing on the computer, she couldn't help but ask.

Lin Weimin was immersed in creation and said casually: "Write an article for a magazine."

After Tao Huimin left, Lin Weimin was still focused on typing.

He advocated the creation of a martial arts publication, and he set up the standards. Now that he could not find suitable manuscripts, and the launch of the publication could not be delayed forever, he decided to do it himself.

With his current status, writing martial arts novels will inevitably cause an uproar in the literary world. Lin Weimin has no intention of making any publicity. He will act in a hurry and put on a vest!

The first issue of a martial arts publication is very important, because it is not only related to the success or failure of a publication, but also the fundamentals of Tongwen Society.

A best-selling magazine is a fixed cash flow for the publishing house, which allows the publishing house to expand its business without any burden.

So this martial arts publication must be an instant hit!

A few days later, several young editors in the editorial department of Tongwen News were a little bored.

In the past few months, in addition to Jin Yong's collection of works, all their work energy has been focused on soliciting manuscripts for new martial arts publications. Although they did not invite works that satisfied Lin Weimin in the headline works, the works above the standard are still not enough. Yes, the new martial arts publication is planned to be a monthly publication. With the current backlog, publishing three issues will not be a problem.

These days, some authors have been asking about the issue of the first issue. They have received the manuscript letter from Tongwen News Agency for a while, but the publication has not been published. Naturally, there is no way to pay the manuscript fee. It is reasonable for these people to be anxious. among.

Not only the authors are anxious, but also several people in the editorial department. Advertisements for the publications have been out for half a month. Advertisements have been placed in several popular literature publications with the best circulation, such as "Story Club", "Martial Arts", and "Legends of Modern and Ancient Times". After a round of fighting, all that was thrown out was money.

This wave of advertising cost nearly 20,000 yuan, which makes me feel sad just thinking about it.

Recently, except for Li Xuegang, who is busy applying for periodicals and running to the printing factory, the other people's work is relatively idle. The backlog of manuscripts is too high, and they no longer dare to accept any more manuscripts.

The first issue hasn't even been released yet. It would be embarrassing if the first issue failed.

While several people were chatting, Lin Weimin walked into the office and asked, "Where is Xuegang?"

"The editor-in-chief has gone to the printing factory." Qi Xianghua replied.

Lin Weimin nodded and handed the manuscript in his hand to Yu Hua, "I received the manuscript of the headline work, please take a look."

Yu Hua's face looked a little surprised. In just a few days, Teacher Lin found the manuscript? Isn't this efficiency a bit too high?

Lin Weimin left the office after delivering the manuscript. Qi Xianghua and Liu Maowen curiously approached Yu Hua and snatched the manuscript over, intending to block it first.

"This title is a bit overbearing!"

"Xiao Zhuanfeng, why did this author choose such a pen name? A fan of "Journey to the West"?"

"Don't worry about it for now, let's take a look and talk later."

The two of them turned their attention away from the title and pen name and focused on the text. After a few glances, they became fascinated.

On the side, Yu Hua was still deep in thought, something seemed wrong!

It has only been a week since Teacher Lin said that the headline work was handed over to him last time. Unless the manuscript is ready-made, it would be impossible to do it so quickly.

But they harassed all the domestic martial arts writers, and they didn't see anyone contacted by Teacher Lin.

And since the manuscript was brought over by Teacher Lin, the quality must have met his standards.

Thinking of this, Yu Hua became even more puzzled. Where did Teacher Lin get the manuscript?

While Yu Hua was thinking, Li Xuegang came back from outside. When he heard that the manuscript of the headline work had arrived, he said happily: "Great! Now the issue has come down, the communication with the printing house has been completed, and everything is ready. I I need to go to Teacher Lin to discuss the first issue as soon as possible."

When Li Xuegang found Lin Weimin's office, He Qizhi was also talking about the new publication.

Some time ago, Shi Tiesheng's "The Temple of Earth and I" was published, which aroused a strong response among readers. He Qizhi took advantage of the situation and proposed the idea of ​​​​creating a new prose publication.

Lin Weimin asked He Qizhi to conduct a reader survey in the fifth issue of "Contemporary" to see how readers accept prose publications.

In the past two days, "Contemporary" has just compiled the results of the reader survey.

"... Judging from the current results, readers are very receptive to the prose publications launched by our agency. A total of about 24,000 questionnaires were sent back, and 40% of the readers expressed their willingness to buy it. "

Lin Weimin said: "Although this data is not complete, it is still very useful for reference. It seems that there is still a market for prose publications. Then, separate the prose column of your publication and create a new publication based on it. , you will be responsible for this matter, draw up a document first, and we will discuss it next week."

"Okay, I understand."

After He Qizhi left, Lin Weimin looked at Li Xuegang and asked, "How is the communication at the printing factory?"

Li Xuegang couldn't help complaining and said: "These printing factories are too difficult to deal with. Seeing that our business volume is small, we are not willing to talk. I visited several companies, and Guanzhong Factory was willing to take over. They could free up 1.8 million for us. The printed sheets should be enough for our first issue."

Guowenshe is the number one publishing house in the domestic literary world, with a huge printing volume every year, but it does not have its own printing house.

The printing business in the company has always been handled by Yanjing Xinhua Printing Factory. There are also several printing factories that have regular cooperation, but they do not receive much business. Guanzhong Factory is one of them.

"At the printing factory, I'll discuss it with the company later and see if we can think of a solution."

Then he added: "Now that the software and hardware conditions are in place, the advertisement has been out for half a month, and the effect should be almost the same by the time the issue is launched. Next, I will ask the distribution department to contact the bookstore and post office to collect subscriptions. You guys are preparing Binding and typesetting of the publication, seize the time to print out the sample issue.”

Li Xuegang was excited after hearing this. They had been preparing for several months and were waiting for now.

"I'll get the sample issue out as soon as possible."

Just as Li Xuegang was about to leave Lin Weimin's office with excitement, he saw Yu Hua walking in from the outside with a manuscript, "Teacher Lin, this manuscript is really well written, but why is it not finished?"

"I'm asking for help temporarily. How can such a long novel be written in a short time? The 100,000 words I got back are enough for two issues. You don't have to worry about the subsequent manuscripts. I have already made an agreement with the author to take over. He will submit a manuscript of 100,000 words every month, and he has planned 500,000 words for this novel.

It was a coincidence this time. I went to ask someone about it, and he just wrote a new work, and he brought it to me. Don't worry, we have made a decision and nothing will happen. "

After Lin Weimin finished speaking, he saw that Yu Hua's eyes were still staring at him. He asked a little unnaturally: "What are you looking at?"

"It's nothing. As long as I can submit the manuscript, don't open the skylight then."

"No, don't worry!"

Yu Hua left the office with some suspicion. On the way back, he asked Li Xuegang, "Xuegang, do you think Teacher Lin is a little deliberate?"

Li Xuegang asked confusedly: "What are you doing deliberately?"

"The expression, and what he said, 'He just wrote a new work, and I took it over', weren't you intentional?"

"No, I think it's quite normal. It's just drafting. Teacher Lin's drafting ability is well-known in my...Chinese Literature Society!"

When Yu Hua heard this, he felt disdainful. His idea was to just shut up in a small dark room. Who wouldn't do that?

A few days later, Lin Weimin drove to Xiehe after get off work.

Zhou Yiying had been hospitalized for several days. When I saw him again, his condition was better than the last time we met.

After he was admitted to the hospital, he needed round-the-clock care. He had no relatives to help but his wife Xu Xiao and her friends to take care of him. They were all office workers and could only take turns, with each of them taking care of him for 8 hours.

Unfortunately, when Lin Weimin came, the person who took care of Zhou Yiying was a friend named E Chunming. Xu Xiao was responsible for the most difficult time in the evening, when meals should be prepared at home.

"Weimin, thank you so much for your help this time." After chatting for a while about the situation after being admitted to the hospital, Zhou Yiying weakly thanked Lin Weimin.

"Xu Xiao has thanked me so many times. If I can help with such a big matter, of course I will."

E Chunming just went to make a pot of hot water and poured a cup over, "For the people, there is no tea, so drink some hot water."

Lin Weimin said thank you and chatted with the two of them.

Zhou Yiying and others were not actually in the same circle as him, and their intersection was entirely because of Shi Tiesheng.

In the late 1970s, Zhou Yiying participated in the compilation of "Today" and became an editorial board member of "Today".

At that time, "Today" had a unique position in the Chinese literary world. Even if we look at the history of modern Chinese newspapers and periodicals, we cannot find a private publication with such broad influence as it.

In those two years, the editorial board members of "Today" and the authors who contributed to "Today" became very popular in the literary circles of Yanjing.

Unfortunately, the good times did not last long. In 1980, there were rumors that private publications would be banned. In October, "Today" was forced to cease publication and became a lost cause.

Last year, Zhao Zhenkai, who went abroad, seemed to have started another publication called "Today" abroad. Unfortunately, times have changed and "Today" no longer has the influence it had back then.

Zhou Yiying was only responsible for the administrative affairs of "Today". With "Today" being banned, he also resumed his status as an ordinary person.

His peak years were from the 1970s to the early 1980s. He came from a good background, loved to make friends, and was loyal. When he was young, he helped his friends avoid being traced, fight lawsuits, and mediate disputes.

In that era when educated youths went to the countryside, he also had to visit classmates and friends' parents, send fake telegrams to help people ask for leave, and was responsible for picking up and dropping off passengers at the station, etc.

This kind of character and dedication have created Zhou Yiying's lofty reputation in the circle of friends, which is a bit like Xiao Mengchang of Yanjing.

With a good reputation accumulated over the years, Zhou Yiying has many friends around her who are willing to help. This illness is also thanks to these friends.

Zhou Yiying talked with Lin Weimin about this topic, and their words were full of emotion.

"Xi Ying, why are you talking about this?" E Chunming said.

"I just feel sorry for you. You worked so hard..."

When Lin Weimin asked about the specific situation, he learned that E Chunming's work had something to do with him. E Chunming was the workshop director of Xinhua Printing Factory. Recently, he was on night shift and had to take care of Zhou Yiying during the day.

"It's really hard!"

Because they were related to the workplace, Lin Weimin chatted with E Chunming. As they chatted, E Chunming mentioned something.

Xinhua Printing Factory will start computer printing and prepare to eliminate a large number of printing machines and equipment.