Tokyo Literary Godfather

"Does Mr. Miyano think the work that has the best chance of winning is actually a newcomer's work?" The host was a little surprised, "What kind of work is this?"

"It's very shocking. My editor recommended it to me to read. I was originally expected to help write a recommendation for this work, but when I actually read it, I was deeply attracted by its story."

"I checked with my editor several times, is this a newcomer's work? Because it's hard for me to believe that a newcomer can write such a novel, but my editor gave a positive answer."

"Although I still have doubts that this is a work by a newcomer, what can be concluded is that whether the author of this book is a newcomer or a literary giant, it is extremely difficult to write such a work. The author This work must have been written under the gaze of the God of Art.”

"It's really curious. Is it convenient to reveal the name of this novel?" the host asked.

"Hmm...can you tell me? Isn't it suspected of being an advertisement?" Miyano Mika said with a smile.

"It doesn't matter. If it's really a good work, our program is willing to advertise it widely."

"It's called "White Night Journey", and the author is a writer I've never heard of, called Shiba Keita...Has Hattori-san heard of this name?"

Hattori Junshan shook his head and said: "Never."

"It seems that he is indeed a newcomer." Miyano Mika sighed, "Nowadays newcomers are really getting more and more scary."

""White Night Journey"... it's a novel I've never heard of." Mizuhara Yui said, "Has Fujiwara-kun read this novel?"

Fujiwara Kei nodded: "A work of genius."

After the recording of the program was completed, Miyano Mika came backstage. Mizuhara Yui quickly stepped forward, asked for Miyano Mika's autograph, and left very happily.

Mika Miyano walked past Kei Fujiwara, but she had never seen the author of "White Night Walk". She just smiled and nodded at everyone in front of her.

At this time, Fujiwara Kei's BP machine rang again. When he took it out, he saw Itagaki Kazuhiko again.

Due to the long time of dealing with each other, a tacit understanding has been formed between the two, and he seemed to already know what Itagaki Kazuhiko wanted from him.

Kei Fujiwara didn’t want his colleagues to hear his conversation, so he found a shared phone booth outside the TV station and called back.

After the call was connected, Itagaki Kazuhiko's voice came from the receiver, his tone mixed with joy, "Fujiwara-kun, I have some good news for you..."

Fujiwara Kei interrupted: "Mr. Itagaki, let me guess first... was "White Night Walk" recommended by Mr. Miyano to participate in the Naoki Award competition?"

"Oh my god, how did you know?!"

Itagaki Kazuhiko was a little disappointed, he originally wanted to give it a try.

"Mika Miyano came to Fukuyama Station to do a show. I work here."

"Fujiwara-kun, aren't you excited? This is Naoki's reward!" Itagaki Kazuhiko couldn't understand when he heard Fujiwara Kei's excessively calm tone.

RB has three major awards in the literary world: Naoki Prize, Akutagawa Prize, and Ranpo Prize.

Among them, the Akutagawa Prize is a purely literary award. Mystery works almost have no chance of winning, so I won’t discuss it further.

Among the three major awards, the one with the highest gold content and the most attention is undoubtedly the Naoki Award.

Almost every year, the Naoki Award is a bloody arena. The reason why the competition is fierce is because it is not a pure newcomer award like the Ranpo Award. Therefore, although the Ranpo Award is equally fierce, it is only between newcomers and authors. of fighting.

The Naoki Prize is different. Its shortlisting criteria are relatively generous. No matter you are an established writer or a newcomer who has only published one book, you can participate. But because of this, it is almost impossible for new writers to win this award.

A newcomer selected for the Naoki Award is like a foundation-level monk who breaks into the battlefield of a group of Daluo True Immortals. No matter how hard he fights, he can't defeat them.

Although "White Night Walk" itself is also a book written by a top monster at its peak, it is just a newbie. But Kei Fujiwara still has no hope for Naoki Shou. The reason is very simple, that is——

In a parallel world, "White Night Journey" failed to win the Naoki Award.

Yes, "White Night Walk" is Keigo Higashino's most well-known phenomenon-level work, unmatched in terms of commercial value, but it has been repeatedly frustrated on the awards stage.

When "White Night Walk" entered the final round of the Naoki Prize, it was ultimately defeated. It was a huge upset of the year. Even the writer who defeated "White Night Walk" said it was incredible.

Any award has its own aesthetic preference and tonality. "White Night Walk" failed to win the award, perhaps because it did not meet the aesthetic preferences of Naoki Awards.

So Kei Fujiwara doesn’t really have any hope of winning.

"Of course I'm excited, but Mr. Itagaki, I think my chances are very small."

"I know, but that is the Naoki Award. Since the award was established 35 years ago, only a new author has won the award, and it was still in the early days. It is almost impossible for a new author to win the award now." Itagaki Kazuhiko said, "In fact, there is no need to win, as long as "White Night" "If I can make it to the finals, I will be satisfied."

"As long as "White Night Walk" can enter the final selection, I am sure that its sales will increase by another 50,000... no, one hundred thousand copies!"

What Itagaki Kazuhiko said is true. Naoki Shou has attracted much attention over the years. It is very rare for a new artist or a new work to win a prize, or even make it into the finals. It can indeed gain a certain amount of attention.

"Then I'll lend you your blessing, Mr. Itagaki... Are you already preparing to release the single volume of "White Night Journey"?"

"Of course, "White Night Walk" is now a popular book selection, and the editorial department attaches great importance to it. Congratulations, Fujiwara-kun, you have now officially entered the path of being a writer. I can definitely say that this book will be a big seller."

However, the big sales that Itagaki Kazuhiko had in mind were in the range of 300,000 to 500,000, but this is indeed a good result in the current book market.

The finalists for the Naoki Award will be announced around December, and by then, "White Night Walk" will face the dual test of the market and awards.

Mika Miyano's interview aired a week later, causing another uproar among readers.

A certain reasoning forum on the Internet is currently abuzz:

"Miyano-sensei doesn't write recommendations easily. What is the magic power of "White Night Journey"?"

"I read this book, and for three whole days, I was in a very low mood. My mother thought I was falling out of love."

"Ryoji is so heartbroken. I also want a boy like Ryoji to protect me."

"Every girl hopes to have Kirihara Ryoji in her life."

"The finale is coming soon. Do you think Ryoji and Yukiho will be caught by Officer Sasahara?"

"I'm worried about them being caught, but I also feel sorry for those innocent people if they don't get caught (don't hit me)"

"I've read this book. It's a bad book. It's a waste of time and money. Don't buy it!"

"Bad book? "White Night Journey" is the best novel I have ever read."

"I will definitely support this book once it is released."

"I have seen recommendations for this book in many places. Where can I buy it? My bookstore doesn't have it!"

"It's still being serialized now, but it will end in about a month, so you can buy it by then!"

"A bad book! It's a bad book even if you say it a thousand times!"

"Upstairs, I've seen you in many places. You've been saying bad things about "White Night Journey". I'm reporting you. Do you have the ability to appreciate literature?"

"If you report me, I will report you! You have no taste! I am a professional editor!"

Shimada pushed the keyboard angrily.