Chapter 381 Implementation of Royalty System
"High? Do you rely on royalties?" Wang Meng was a little curious after hearing this.
"I estimate that his long novel has one million words. According to the national policy, the maximum of 1,000 words is 20 yuan, which is about 20,000 yuan."
"Twenty thousand yuan was still good in the early 1980s, for a household worth 10,000 yuan, but prices have risen dramatically in recent years." Wang Meng finally said.
Fang Minghua told the truth.
"Actually, what Lu Yao relies on is not royalties, but royalties."
"Royalty? The publishing house actually gave him royalties?!" Wang Meng was very surprised.
"Minister Wang, his book was not published by a publishing house, but by a private publishing company affiliated with the publishing house and bought an ISBN for publication."
Fang Minghua realized that "The Ordinary World" had no interest at the time, so he put the effort on his own. A private publishing company in Xijing called Shengshi Books purchased the ISBN of Pengcheng's Haitian Publishing House, and the book was successfully published.
He briefly explained the whole process. Of course he didn't mention that Shengshi Books owned half of his shares. He only said that the general manager of the company was a good friend of his and was willing to help.
Selling book numbers happens from time to time in various publishing houses. State-owned publishing houses have a rigid system and low market sensitivity. In addition, they have many staff and heavy burdens, and they need money.
The newly emerging private publishing company was flexible in its operations and was unable to obtain ISBNs for publication due to national policies, so the two hit it off.
The competent national authorities also turn a blind eye, as long as you don't publish any reactionary or pornographic books and periodicals, and pretend not to know.
Wang Meng naturally knew about this. He did not mention buying a book number, but said with emotion: "Your friend has good taste. Hey, Xiaofang, tell me privately how much royalties you gave Lu Yao? I absolutely Don’t tell anyone else!”
"Minister Wang, I can only say that I will give you 10% of the sales revenue of this set of books." Fang Minghua said with a smile.
10%!
Wang Meng was taken aback.
He made a rough estimate in his mind. If he published 500,000 sets, then Lu Yao would get at least more than 300,000? !
"Lu Yao really made a fortune this time." Wang Meng laughed, "But I have to remind him that he must pay taxes according to national policies and never evade taxes!"
"Don't worry, Lu Yao has paid taxes on time."
Fang Minghua suddenly revealed this matter to Wang Meng today, of course he had his own purpose.
"Minister Wang, I think that Lu Yao deserves such a high income for writing such a novel! It took three or four years to write a novel, and in the end he even broke down physically. The highest manuscript fee was only 20,000 yuan, which is really too low. , Not only Lu Yao, but other writers are also facing this dilemma. Prices have risen sharply in recent years, and this fee has long been unable to keep up with the price increase. "
"What do you mean, implement a royalty system?" Wang Meng heard the implication of Fang Minghua.
"Yes, just like abroad, if the novel is well written, readers like to read it, and if it sells more, it should earn a higher income."
Wang Meng thought for a moment and replied:
"Xiao Fang, you have a good idea, but it is not easy to implement it. The adjustment of interests involving authors, publishing houses, distribution channels and other aspects cannot be solved by issuing a red-headed document. There will be trouble."
Standing in his position, what he sees, knows, and needs to consider is naturally much more comprehensive than Fang Minghua's. Of course, there are some things that cannot be said to the young man in front of him.
Fang Minghua also understood that how could such a big thing be changed by just saying a few words?
That's amazing.
So he said: "Minister Wang, you are right, but it is undeniable that the royalty system is the trend in the future. I think in terms of national policy, it is not necessarily mandatory now, but it can be encouraged and promoted, so that those who have good works can If you are a writer, you can boldly talk to the publisher and fight for your rights!”
"Haha, Xiao Fang, you are asking those outstanding writers to revolutionize." Wang Meng laughed after hearing this.
Fang Minghua smiled and said nothing.
It is said that Wang Shuo also negotiated with the publishing house back then and fought hard to obtain copyright income?
I hope this day comes sooner.
After chatting with Wang Meng for a while, Fang Minghua saw that it was getting late, so he said goodbye and left.
Although Wang Meng did not express his position at the time, he believed that Wang Meng would actively promote this matter because he is also a writer himself!
Sure enough, not long after, Wang Meng mentioned this matter in an interview with a reporter, saying that the royalties for writers in our country are too low. The absence of a royalty system is not conducive to mobilizing the creative enthusiasm of writers and is not conducive to the development of the entire literary career. It should be implemented in due course. Royalty system and so on.
Although it is just Wang Meng's personal opinion, the weight is different when it comes from a minister.
Many newspapers quickly reprinted the interview.
Fang Minghua saw this news in Guangming Daily and admired Wang Meng's courage to speak out and take responsibility.
Although it is just a personal interview, some smart writers and publishers have already smelled something from it, right?
Wang Shuo is such a person.
At this time, he was shirtless and eating at home.
Like many people, Wang Shuo also has the habit of reading newspapers while eating.
When he saw this news, he was stunned for a moment and suddenly said: "Damn it! We are also going to implement a royalty system in our country!"
"Royalty system? Let me take a look." Shen Xujia, who was sitting opposite, also came over curiously.
Recently, I have been hearing Wang Shuo nagging that Fang Minghua has made a fortune publishing novels in Hong Kong and overseas because of royalties. It's a pity that I don't have this blessing. Now I heard my husband mentioned royalties again, so I quickly took a look.
After watching it for a while, Shen Xujia said: "This is just an interview, not a red-headed document."
"You don't understand politics." Wang Shuo put down the newspaper and lit a cigarette: "This is called creating public opinion! Often before major policies are introduced, they have to be exposed to see what everyone's attitude is."
"It's not as suspenseful as you said, right?" Shen Xujia disapproved and retorted.
"Although Wang Meng is the minister, didn't you say that now that the publishing house is no longer under the control of the Culture BU, why should the newly established Press and Publication Administration be responsible?"
Shen Xujia is right. In January of this year (1987), the state established the Press and Publication Administration, an agency directly under the State Council to conduct administrative management of press and publication work across the country. "
Wang Shuo pondered for a moment and then said harshly: "No matter how much, I have always planned to publish a collection of my novels. When the time comes, I will have to negotiate with the publisher and ask for royalties! If they don't give it, I won't publish it!"
"Okay, okay, let's eat first."
Wang Shuo's collection of novels has not yet been released, but another brother from the big courtyard has already discussed the matter with the publisher with his own novel.
His name is Hai Yan.