Sarah, fourteen years old, clutched her manuscript tightly as she climbed the imposing steps of the glass-and-steel building. Her heart pounded, and her palms were sweaty. This was a decisive day. Since the age of ten, she had been filling notebooks with stories inspired by her own experiences, and today, she was about to meet a publishing house.
The story she was presenting was born from her own tragedy. The brutal loss of her parents in a mysterious accident had shaken her childhood and forged her determination. Her book, a poignant reinterpretation of her quest for truth and justice, had caught the attention of a young, novice editor
—curious but skeptical about such a dark story written by a teenager.Behind the grand reception desk, a woman in a black suit gave her a professional smile
.— Hello, you must be Sarah? Follow me, Miss Moreau is expecting you.
Sarah nodded, intimidated, and followed the woman into a bright office where a young woman with her hair tied in a bun, looking focused, was waiting. An annotated copy of her manuscript sat prominently on the table.
— Hi, Sarah, I'm Emma Moreau, she said, adjusting her glasses. I have to admit, I didn't know what to expect when I read your book… and honestly, I'm a little perplexed.
Sarah sat down, clenching her fists under the table, trying to hide her nervousness.
— Your story is… intense. Really intense. It's violent, dark, and it comes from a fourteen-year-old?
She flipped through the pages with a furrowed brow.
— It fascinates me as much as it unsettles me. I mean, it's brilliant, but… where does this inspiration come from?
Sarah felt her face heat up. She hesitated before answering.
— It's a way for me to express what I felt after my parents' death.
A kind of outlet…Emma studied her for a moment before sighing and offering a slight smile.
— Alright, I can understand that. But you know, this isn't exactly what usually makes it into young adult best-sellers…
Sarah lowered her eyes, her stomach tightening.
— But, Emma continued, tapping her pen on the table, that's also what makes it unique. Now, let's talk business.
Sarah lifted her head, intrigued.
— Look, I'm willing to take a chance on your book, but we need to be clear on the terms. Since you're a minor and unknown in the industry, the publishing house will take a larger share of the revenue. We're thinking 90% for us, 10% for you.
Sarah felt a wave of indignation rise within her.
— 10%? This is my story, I wrote every single line!
Emma raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly.
— And we're the ones who will publish it, edit it, distribute it, and promote it. Without us, it would just remain a manuscript in a drawer. But I'm open to discussion.
Sarah took a deep breath. She hadn't expected to negotiate, but she knew one thing: she wouldn't give in so easily.
— Alright. Let's talk.