"Increase the print run again?"
After getting off the phone, Wang Jian himself was a bit taken aback by the explosive popularity of "I'm a Great Mage."
He glanced around and noticed several inmates holding copies of "I'm a Great Mage."
So, his mind began to calculate.
How much profit could this book actually bring him?
An hour later.
Roy parked his Cadillac by the roadside, looking somewhat surprised to see Wang Jian picking up trash.
Wang Jian, not far away, also spotted Roy.
After asking for a leave from the check-in officer, Lily, he quickly made his way over to Roy.
Wang Jian gestured toward the coffee shop on the roadside, suggesting they talk inside.
After they each ordered a coffee, Roy took out five copies of "I'm a Great Mage" and handed them to Wang Jian, "Here are the books you wanted."
He then pulled out a new contract and, with a smile, said to Wang Jian, "I think we'll have to sign another addendum for an increased print run."
Wang Jian took the books and set them aside.
He then picked up the contract and started to read it.
After a moment, he looked up at Roy and asked, "For the French and Latin editions, as well as the additional 100,000 copies of the English version that are being printed, is the royalty rate still 4%?"
"As far as I know, when a book becomes a major hit, and there's no guaranteed minimum royalty, the royalty rate will increase accordingly, won't it?"
Actually, Wang Jian had once seen this in the old man's publishing company's files.
He just never thought "I'm a Great Mage" would become a hit.
After an unexpected event last night, he was even more flustered and hadn't considered this at all.
After a day's time, he had decided to fight for his fair share of the profits.
Roy's hand, holding his coffee, trembled slightly.
The thing he'd been worried about had finally happened.
In fact, he could have increased the royalty rate when they signed the addendum yesterday.
But, he never thought Wang Jian qualified as a novelist.
As for "I'm a Great Mage," it was merely more creative and innovative in its storytelling.
Wang Jian's next novel was highly unlikely to be a bestseller.
Because he lacked years of relevant work experience and a solid writing foundation.
A 17-year-old producing one bestseller was impressive enough—could he really continue to have a stream of breakthrough inspiration and innovation?
That wouldn't be Wang Jian; that would be Hemingway!
So, before signing the last contract, he had used his conversational skills to make Wang Jian lose his composure in a mix of nervousness and exhilaration.
Then, he used the benefits that Wang Jian could have received as a stepping stone from a responsible editor to a chief editor.
He hadn't anticipated the explosive success of "I'm a Great Mage," necessitating another print run just a day later.
Nor had he expected a 17-year-old boy from Bronx District to sober up so quickly from the illusion of instant success and start thinking about his own interests.
The smile at the corner of Roy's mouth slowly faded, replaced by the demeanor appropriate for a business negotiation.
"So, what do you want to increase it to?" he mused while considering what he would be willing to accept.
As the responsible editor for "I'm a Great Mage," he had the authority to offer up to 10% royalty on a game-changing bestseller.
However, the bottom line Roy would accept was 8%.
Considering the current sales momentum of "I'm a Great Mage," the extra 2% should ensure him a spot as one of the youngest chief editors in the publishing company.
Wang Jian thought for a moment and quoted what he believed to be a rather high figure.
"9%."
Start high, end with cash in hand.
After the negotiation, he could still love Scholastic Publishers.
Worst case scenario, I just won't go fishing with Roy again.
Roy's brow furrowed slightly, he could not accept this price.
So, after a moment of contemplation, he had no choice but to play his trump card.
Although he knew, once this move was made, the relationship between Scholastic Publishers and Wang Jian would inevitably sour.
"Your book is also entangled in the 2pac shooting incident," Roy sat up straight, looking down at Wang Jian across from him.
"The publisher can reduce the distribution volume within five years, to face the upcoming media storm with a more proactive stance."
Wang Jian's brow furrowed as he stared back at Roy.
Was this, a freeze-out?
Both sides suffer losses in a ruinous breakdown?
After five years, who knew how many copies of "I'm a Great Mage" could still be sold.
After all, this novel was only appealing for its writing and creativity.
And these things are very easy to imitate.
At this moment, the two men just silently watched each other, and the atmosphere suddenly changed from friendly to ice cold.
Suddenly, the café's television switched to Fox TV.
At that time, a book program on Fox TV was also reporting on the huge success of "I'm a Great Mage" and various in-depth reports.
Then, the female host said, "Next, let's hear what fantasy best-selling novelists have to say about this phenomenal book."
The camera shifted, and an old man appeared on the screen.
Below him was identified as the author of "The Wheel of Time," the senior fantasy novelist, Robert Jordan.
"I don't deny that 'I'm a Great Mage' is an appealing novel, but I don't recognize it as a good book, let alone a good fantasy novel."
"It's more like the self-hypnosis of a homebody. I can't see any of the rigor of a fantasy novel in it."
Next, a middle-aged man appeared on screen.
Below him, it was marked as the author of the "Icewind Dale" series, fantasy novelist, R.A. Salvatore.
He said, "Fantasy novels have always been synonymous with precise settings and grand worlds."
"From Mr. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings,' fantasy has been accepted by serious literature through the efforts of generations. I wouldn't want some works that are not refined enough to be included in the category of fantasy."
Finally, even the planner of this year's hot new game, "Diablo," appeared on camera.
"Ha, that's called a fantasy novel? Then, what's the point of our game striving for upgrades? Just let the characters eat corn wraps, hahaha!"
Roy listened to the reports on the TV, his eyes fixed on Wang Jian across from him, a hint of a smile appeared on his lips.
The more "I'm a Great Mage" was belittled, the stronger the other party's desire to make a quick profit would be.
Then, his and Scholastic Publishers' bargaining power on the new edition's tax rate for "I'm a Great Mage" would be weaker.
Originally, he had just noticed it had the potential to become a bestseller.
Currently, "I'm a Great Mage" had indeed become a bestseller, and its recent sales wouldn't be low.
As for the total sales volume within five years.
Hehe.
He was neither the boss of Scholastic Publishers nor the author of "I'm a Great Mage."
Was it his job to worry?
At this moment, however, Wang Jian had no interest in caring about what Roy was smiling at.
Because, in his mind, the shelves for the second book had finally fully appeared.
There was a blue-covered novel.
On its cover, there was a handsome young Western boy.
And next to the boy, four big characters were clearly written.
"Arcane Throne"!
ps: Nicotine craving hitting hard, making typing difficult. Typed in a daze, I've completely put aside the outline...