Reborn in 1977

Chapter 697: Businessman

Inside the living room, three girls busied themselves around the Christmas tree. On the nearby table sat various boxes, big and small, all Christmas gifts prepared by Zhou Yali.

Chen Fan nestled into the sofa, leaning against the armrest, lazily making a phone call, "Uncle He, this matter isn't as simple as it seems. Cultural exchange sounds easy, but it's fine at other times. What time is it now? The two countries have just established diplomatic relations. It's a time to avoid mistakes and seek stability, right?

It sounds simple. We pick a few books and send them over. Then, they use a machine to print them and sell them, collecting money and paying us royalties…"

"What? Pay royalties first?"

"Uncle He, you don't think publishing companies in every country are the same, do you? Japanese royalties are calculated per page, ours are calculated per thousand words. Do you know how American royalties are calculated?

How much money per word!"

In the nearby dining room, Jiang Tiantian curiously watched Zhou Yali and asked, "Yali, are American publishing companies very different from domestic ones?"

The day before yesterday, Chen Fan said that when private publishing companies could be established in China, Zhou Yali could ask a few people to come and help. She had taken it to heart. Hearing Chen Fan on the phone now, she couldn't help but be curious.

Zhou Yali, however, curled her lips, shrugged, and said, "I don't know what domestic publishing houses are like. I only know one thing: my little brother is definitely trying to fool someone again."

Jiang Tiantian was slightly stunned, "How so?"

Jiang Lili couldn't help but giggle, "Let's not talk about what other companies are like, but the Zhou family's publishing company belongs to my cousin. In that case, if it's just publishing a few books, Xiaofan can definitely make the decision. Isn't what he's doing now just trying to fool people?"

Jiang Tiantian's lips twitched slightly. She shook her head and sighed, "I'm so concerned that I'm confused. I didn't even see through this little trick."

Zhou Yali turned her head to look at her, "Tiantian, have you ever managed the publication and launch of a book before?"

Jiang Tiantian immediately shook her head, smiling wryly, "How could I have such an opportunity? I'm still in the learning stage. According to the rules of domestic publishing houses, I have to become an editor first before I have the chance to select articles. Then, after the editor-in-chief approves them, the article can be published.

As for selecting a book for publication, that's even more the editor-in-chief's prerogative."

She stopped her movements and sighed almost imperceptibly, "As for understanding how a magazine is published, I do know the process. I've also learned about the entire process of publishing a book.

But these things can't be simply understood by observing. I don't know when I'll have such an opportunity."

Zhou Yali's eyes darted around, glancing at Chen Fan, who was still on the phone. She originally wanted to say something, but swallowed it back and smiled at Jiang Tiantian, "Actually, it's quite simple. I've never done publishing before, but Xiaofan's fantasy novel was published from start to finish under my management, and the results were very good.

So don't think of these things as too difficult. You'll definitely have the opportunity to experience them in the future."

On the other side.

As soon as Chen Fan finished speaking, He Qingsheng's exclamation rang out from the phone, "How much money per word? That, one word? One word costs money?"

"Heh heh, that's for sure."

Chen Fan changed his posture and lay down, deliberately sighing, "We only get 7 yuan per thousand words. They get 50 cents per word. If it's a bestselling author, the basic royalty is one dollar per word. The price is even higher than the Japanese. No wonder it's the number one capitalist country.

Those capitalists are all about money. They offer such high prices, so they definitely have a lot of rules, like submitting the manuscript before getting paid, strict review of the manuscript, small-batch trial printing and distribution, all to control risks.

Not to mention, under the general background of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, engaging in cultural exchange is indeed an achievement, but our emphasis on this achievement doesn't mean they value it. Those capitalists don't care about anything else, they only care about money.

Although I'm their relative, I can't delay them from making money, can I?"

After a brief silence, He Qingsheng's voice rang out, "I know this matter is difficult, but you are also an old…"

With He Qingsheng's vocabulary, he couldn't help but feel a little troubled at this moment.

Originally, he wanted to say 'old cadre', but how could Chen Fan look old?

What about 'small cadre'? There's no such saying either.

Helpless, He Qingsheng could only swallow the words at his lips, clear his throat, and continue, "You are also one of the leaders of the unit. This collective achievement should still be valued. In any case, we must negotiate this matter."

Chen Fan grinned silently, picked up the tea on the coffee table and took a sip, waved to Jiang Lili, and pointed to the teacup, signaling her to brew a fresh hot cup.

Only then did he continue, "Negotiate we must. After all, he's my uncle, oh, and my cousin."

He rolled his eyes at Zhou Yali, who had lowered her fist. I'm busy with serious business here, what are you messing around for?

Then he changed his posture and lay down, not looking at her, and said into the phone, "This family relationship is still very reliable. After my good words and persuasion, the company manager, that is, my cousin, finally agreed to a cooperation intention and decided to publish a few books to test the waters."

Hearing this, He Qingsheng was immediately invigorated, "Good, Vice Chairman Chen, the comrades in the unit will not forget your contribution!"

Since the royalties in the US are higher than in Japan, doesn't that mean that cooperating with the US and earning foreign exchange will also be more?

He clenched his fist and nodded vigorously at Tan Yong and Xu Qizhen sitting opposite him, and then he heard Chen Fan say, "But they have a few conditions."

He Qingsheng came back to his senses, put away his excited emotions, and asked, "What conditions?"

Chen Fan, "First is the royalty. Unless it's famous writers like Mao Dun, Ba Jin, and Lao She, otherwise they can only be given according to the standards of new writers in the US, which is 50 cents per word. Then the royalty rate for publishing the book is 7%.

Oh, right, there's also this. Income from royalties in the US is also subject to tax. Please consult with the embassy to see if certain reductions or exemptions can be granted. This matter can only be coordinated by the General Association."

He Qingsheng calculated for a few seconds and nodded without hesitation, "No problem."

After a pause, he smiled sheepishly and asked, "Um, just asking, how are books generally priced in the US?"

Chen Fan calculated with his fingers, "They are priced differently according to different types. The most expensive are textbooks, followed by literature. The price of novels is generally $4 to $5 per book for 200,000 to 300,000 words."

He Qingsheng calculated, "Well, about the same as Japan, except the basic royalty is higher, so that's no problem."

Then he asked, "Anything else?"

Chen Fan, "The other thing is the quantity. In the beginning, the quantity won't be too large. It's best to limit it to within 6 books."

He Qingsheng frowned slightly, "Why 6 books?"

Chen Fan coughed dryly, even sitting up a little straighter.

Because the key point is coming!

He picked up the hot tea that Jiang Lili had just brewed, blew on the hot air, and the sound was like a sigh.

After taking a sip of hot tea, he said, "Uncle He, do you think other units will be jealous if we send books to the US for publication and foreign exchange earnings?"

He Qingsheng's face stiffened, "Why should we care about them? It is better to be envied than pitied; let them find a publisher themselves if they have the ability!"

Chen Fan's lips twitched slightly. Why do you make it sound like you're doing me a favor by using my connections?

He put down his teacup and sighed, saying, "They've already asked. For example, Elder Mao and Elder Ba. Guess if they'll come looking for me."

He Qingsheng's expression immediately froze. He looked at Tan Yong and Xu Qizhen across from him and couldn't help but click his tongue. "They... they've asked you?"

Chen Fan leaned back on the sofa and sighed again, "They haven't yet, but once the news gets out, what do you think?"

He Qingsheng finally came to his senses and gasped, realizing, "So, the six books you mentioned, two belong to us, two to the national association, and two to the Shanghai branch?"

Chen Fan slapped his thigh, "Exactly!"

He Qingsheng wasn't happy now, "Why? We found the channels through our unit, but we only get a third? That's not fair!"

Chen Fan clicked his tongue, "Or, you could talk to Elder Mao and Elder Ba about it later?"

He Qingsheng, "...You little brat, you're setting me up."

He let out a long breath and sighed softly, "A higher rank can crush you to death."

Then he asked, "Comrade Chen, can't we try to get a few more spots?"

Chen Fan rubbed his face and said with a wry smile, "Uncle He, think about it. How many units in the country have the ability to publish six new books at once?"

"Uh, ..."

He Qingsheng didn't speak.

Not to mention, publishing six books at once would only be done by large publishing houses with national missions, like the education publishing house that prints textbooks.

As for publishing literary works, it's usually done one book at a time. Moreover, he had heard Chen Fan mention that his uncle's publishing company in the United States was just a small company. It probably had to collaborate with outside units to publish these six books. Any more would indeed be inappropriate.

Not far away, Jiang Tiantian asked curiously, "Yali, can your publishing company publish six books at once?"

Zhou Yali grinned, "The situation is different in the United States than here. Here, you follow a planned task, one book at a time. Book distribution is also managed by specialized units. It doesn't matter whether they sell well or not.

Over there, we have a market economy. Not to mention six books, we can find enough printing factories to publish and release 60 or 600 books on the same day.

However, based on market considerations, no one would do that.

The market capacity is limited. Generally, we stagger the release dates of books. Even with frequent releases, there will be at least one to two weeks between release dates to allow enough sales time for the new book."

Jiang Tiantian was speechless and turned to look at Chen Fan. This guy was lying again.

Chen Fan held the phone and continued, "Being able to agree to publish six books at once is already the result of my efforts. But Uncle He, don't worry. As I said just now, this is just a trial run. We'll print a small portion first. If the market response is good, we'll immediately reprint and increase the number of new books released.

So, instead of arguing with me here about whether the initial release is two books or three, you should think carefully about which two books to send to America for release. As long as you produce a bestseller, the foreign exchange revenue it generates will be much more than ten or twenty novels that don't sell."

He Qingsheng nodded slightly, listening to these words.

After a few seconds, he came back to his senses and asked, "Are these your ideas?"

Chen Fan said confidently, "I don't know anything about the book market. My cousin told me all this. If we just want to do so-called cultural export, it's actually simple. Just apply for a sum of money to cover all printing and distribution costs. My cousin can help print and publish as many books as you want.

But that's not what we're doing. We want cultural achievements and even more foreign exchange earnings. Didn't you say that we should earn more foreign exchange on the basis of promoting cultural exchange?

So, when I talked to her, I naturally had to consider the profit factor. Don't you think that makes sense?"

He Qingsheng nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes, your idea is right. Okay, I understand the situation now. I will have a special discussion with the comrades of the presidium and the council to draw up a list as soon as possible."

He thought for a moment and said, "That way, we may prepare a few more books to leave some room for selection. You also give some advice and try to select two books that are like yours..."

Speaking of this, he suddenly realized, "Among the books we cooperated with Gaoqiao Company, your book sold the best. Why don't we just pick two of your works?"

Chen Fan shook his head without hesitation, "Does my book still need to take up a spot? Then wouldn't my relative be fake?"

He Qingsheng was speechless and stunned for several seconds before saying, "Okay, let's do that. I'll give you the list as soon as possible."

After speaking, he hung up the phone.

Chen Fan put the microphone on the phone and stretched, looking at the busy girls, "What's for dinner tonight?"

Jiang Lili immediately turned around and smiled, "My cousin wants to eat dumplings today. We'll make dumplings later. Is there anything you want to eat?"

Chen Fan pursed his lips and smiled, I want to eat you.

Cough, of course, he didn't say that. There were still people around. He just fell back on the sofa, "Anything is fine."

Zhou Yali turned her head and glanced at him, saying loudly, "Why did you only give six spots? A few more wouldn't matter. Anyway, we've built relationships with many distribution channels through your books. This is just a trial release, not a large-scale launch. It's only a print run of two thousand copies. Not to mention six books, it's no problem to release 60 books at the same time."

Chen Fan half-closed his eyes and said softly, "This channel was pulled in through my personal connections. If you open up too much to them at once, they'll think it's easy. That's not how things are done."

He turned to look at Zhou Yali and said seriously, "Now that you've taken over the two companies and become the person in charge, you must change your way of thinking and talk from the perspective of a 'businessman'. Although a few more cooperative books would be a good achievement for me, I don't need this achievement. Instead, the company would bear more costs, so it's not worth it. Understand?"

Zhou Yali thought for a moment and suddenly realized, "So, the content of your conversation with your unit leader just now wasn't what you meant, but what I should have said from my perspective?"

Chen Fan gave a thumbs up, grinned, and smiled, "A child can be taught."

Zhou Yali grabbed an embroidered ball and threw it over, "You have no respect for your elders. I'm your sister."

Jiang Tiantian hesitated to speak beside her. That was the gift I unwrapped.

Chen Fan grabbed the flying embroidered ball and threw it back directly, "I'm going to see Elder Ba tomorrow. You stay at home by yourself."

Zhou Yali quickly caught it with both hands, grinned, and chuckled, "I'm just kidding. I'll buy the gift tomorrow. We'll go together."