Chapter 17: Writer and Editor
In a cozy café near the Machida Sonoko office building, Sonoko herself, dressed smartly in a black uniform, wore a pleasant smile as she gazed at the young woman seated across from her.
"Uta-chan, you won't require any prodding for this month's manuscript, will you? I've been rather swamped recently, so if you could manage to submit it a few days earlier, it would be a great help," Sonoko suggested.
The woman seated opposite Sonoko seemed somewhat disinterested and responded calmly, "I'm not that kind of person."
Sonoko, familiar with her correspondent, smiled knowingly.
"Well, here's the scoop. I took a new writer under my wing yesterday, a college freshman to be exact. He's filled with enthusiasm and cheer, but he gives off an air of... fragility. You might even call him a 'stay-at-home dad.'"
Sonoko referred to Yuuta as a stay-at-home dad, despite his jesting comments. Yuuta's honest and gentle demeanor had left a lasting impression on Sonoko.
The woman calmly sipped her coffee and remarked, "That's somewhat unfortunate, having someone as conscientious as you for an editor."
Although she initially contemplated using a harsher term, given her limited progress on this month's manuscript, she opted for a milder expression.
Sonoko chuckled and shook her head. "Indeed, he's a complete novice, utterly unfamiliar with the world of light novels. He chose our publishing house primarily because it's the closest one to his train station."
"So, it's your responsibility as an editor now. But with your capable hands, I'm sure it will turn out to be an exceptional piece, won't it?"
The woman found herself somewhat intrigued by this revelation. There was always a sense of healthy competition among peers, and being a talented writer herself, she couldn't help but wonder about the other writer's work after Sonoko's description.
"Oh, really? It's an intriguing adventure story revolving around reincarnation in another world. Admittedly, it deviates from the usual style in our library, but both the chief editor and I believe this book offers precisely what we need – an unconventional conventional novel!"
Sonoko and her team of editors had dedicated an entire afternoon to scrutinizing the manuscript. A unanimous consensus emerged that this work, with its unique approach, encapsulated the quintessential essence of a light novel. It proved to be an enjoyable read, boasting a well-structured and coherent plot, with each character possessing endearing qualities.
Each library had its distinct area of focus, specializing in genres such as school romance, heroic adventures, or offbeat fantasy. All three libraries harbored ambitious aspirations, longing for a creation that would outshine their rivals within their designated genres. The ultimate goal was to produce a work that would "triumph" over the competition in their specialized fields.
Yet, achieving such a feat remained an arduous task.
The woman wasn't particularly sanguine about the situation. She expressed her reservations, saying, "Commencing well is relatively straightforward, but crafting a bona fide masterpiece is a considerably more complex endeavor. Moreover, our library lacks editors well-versed in this genre, doesn't it?"
Sonoko, wearing a knowing smile, glanced at the woman and sighed. "Come on, speak your mind. It's unlikely to be something that lifts my spirits," the woman responded, sensing a hint of condescension.
With a sigh, Sonoko remarked, "This newbie came in with a complete work, a manuscript several hundred thousand words long. It spared me the usual chase for deadlines. Uta-chan, when will you be able to write at that pace?"
The girl didn't envy such speed. She firmly believed that crafting an exceptional piece required continuous engagement with readers' feedback while writing. "By the way, how old is this new guy?" she inquired.
Sonoko didn't have an exact answer. "I'm not entirely sure, but he appears to be financially constrained. From what I've gathered, this might be his sole publication."
Her conclusion aligned with the consensus within Sonoko's team, who believed that Yuuta's foray into the world of light novels might be limited to this single work.
"He's a freshman, so he's roughly nineteen, I suppose," the girl calculated independently, as she hadn't received a definitive age from Sonoko.
Sonoko nodded and smiled, responding, "Yes, around that age. While he may not be as young as you were when you made your debut, I have high hopes for his work this time. This light-hearted isekai story has a broader appeal compared to romance novels, which aligns with our interests."
Being two years the girl's senior, the woman couldn't help but notice Sonoko's high regard for the newcomer and inquired, "Do you know the title of his work?"
"Ah, that's right! It's a bit late, but I should inform him. Our library is running a contest for newcomers, and there's still a month left for submissions. I'll see if he's interested!" Sonoko suggested with enthusiasm.
Sonoko didn't anticipate that Yuuta would participate in the competition, given his swift publication and clear desire for rapid releases. Hence, she decided to inform him about the contest. As for his current work, it didn't qualify as a submission for the newcomer competition.
This contest aimed to attract and discover promising new authors. Since Yuuta had already joined the ranks of published authors and displayed his abilities, the title of "Best Newcomer" wasn't necessary for him.
"By the way, it's been over half a year now, Uta-chan, and your romance novel, 'The Metronome in Love,' is performing quite well. However, Yuuta's work is being published rapidly. If you don't pick up the pace, your sales might easily get overshadowed," Sonoko reminded her.
Motivation and a little nudge were common from Sonoko to her colleague. The girl had a tendency to procrastinate, and each month Sonoko found herself personally chasing her for manuscripts.
The girl responded with a soft hum, elegantly lifting her cup and taking a refined sip of coffee. She couldn't help but feel a bit anxious; she hadn't written a single word this month!