Chapter 083: Every Tom, Dick, and Harry

“How should the royalties be calculated?”
By now, Zhang Tan had calmed down. This meeting to discuss publication was nothing more than a negotiation, and negotiations were always about give and take, each party seeking the greatest advantage.

He made an effort to set aside unnecessary pride.

Ever since he started earning money from writing, Zhang Tan had become somewhat buoyant, feeling that he had become someone important, a figure to be reckoned with. He expected others to treat him as such, as a celebrity. In other words, his mindset was unbalanced; he had developed the so-called burden of being an idol, and unconsciously became inflated.

This was not a good sign. It reminded him of the streaming platform he used to frequent in his previous life—those streamers who, after gaining a few tens of thousands of followers, became blinded by their own vanity, showing off in front of the camera, forgetting their own names, making people sick. Zhang Tan certainly did not want to become like that.

So, once he realized he was becoming arrogant, he promptly corrected himself, striving for a more peaceful state of mind.

If others look down on you, then work hard to achieve something for them to see; there’s no need for anger, as it only hurts your own health. Just like now: if the negotiations fail, so be it. If they succeed, then it’s a happy outcome. There’s nothing worth getting upset about. He was already a thirty-year-old man; he couldn’t let hormones override reason.

Zhang Tan took a step back, and with Wang Conglun mediating, the atmosphere quickly warmed up again. Another round of toasts ensued, and a whole bottle of liquor was emptied.

Wang Conglun picked up Zhang Tan’s point and asked Li Wei, “When Zhang Tan’s book was published in Taiwan in traditional characters, Fresh Culture offered a thirteen percent royalty. What do you think, Director Li?”

Li Wei smacked his lips, “Thirteen percent, huh? That’s a bit high. To be honest, before I came here, I thought about the issue of royalties carefully. I was considering a buyout. Since that’s not possible, royalties it is. Our Wuhai University Press has worked with many authors, offering rates both high and low, but for new writers, especially in riskier genres, the rate is not high.”

After pondering for a while, Li Wei said, “How about this: I’ll offer three percent. What do you think, young Zhang?”

Zhang Tan almost choked on his food, and after a moment he managed to speak, “Taiwan offers thirteen percent, and you’re offering a fraction?”

“Our mainland market isn’t mature yet.”

“No matter how immature, the reader base for martial arts novels is right here. We have 1.2 billion people—if one in ten thousand buys the book, that’s 120,000 copies sold. In fact, the proportion of martial arts readers is much higher—at least one in a thousand, if not more. That’s a market of over a million.”

“You have to take piracy into account. The pirated market is much more active than the legitimate one.”

“Even if piracy takes ninety percent, there’s still more than a hundred thousand left for legitimate sales.”

“You can’t calculate market purchasing power so simply. Also, to be frank, the martial arts reader base is huge, but the number with actual purchasing intent and ability is far lower than you imagine. Publishing is a tough business.”

Zhang Tan suppressed his feeling of being insulted, raised his glass in a gesture, “If Director Li says the world is so difficult, then we really have no basis for negotiation.”

“There is a basis,” Li Wei lifted his glass as well, then changed his tone, “Actually, the publisher is capable of taking on risk; it’s just that I personally lack confidence. You know, risk and profit—they’re sisters, aren’t they? Haha.”

Zhang Tan arched his brow and glanced at Wang Conglun.

Wang Conglun turned away, picked up his chopsticks, and placed a shrimp on Li Wei’s plate, “Director Li, you love shrimp—don’t just drink, have some shrimp.”

...

The knife emerges once the map is exhausted.

Zhang Tan guessed that Li Wei’s words had a deeper meaning—risk and profit clearly referred to him wanting a share of the benefits for taking risks.

Wang Conglun also understood Li Wei’s implication, but worried Zhang Tan might not. So, under the guise of offering shrimp, he signaled to Zhang Tan that Li Wei wanted a kickback.

Such things disgusted Zhang Tan.

But moving through society, these things were inevitable. Still, no matter how much he tried to fit in, he could never master the insincere etiquette of social life. Taking advantage of his youthful boldness, he laid it out plainly: “Director Li, what’s the highest royalty rate you can give? If we agree, how much of it should I give to you?”

He spoke with a touch of anger, direct and without any concealment.

Li Wei laughed, avoiding a direct answer, “What are you saying, young man? What do you mean ‘give’? I work for the publisher, there’s nothing for you to give me.”

Wang Conglun coughed, got up from the table, and said with a smile, “I’ll grab a bottle of yogurt to warm my stomach—too much liquor is hard on the gut. You two keep talking.”

As soon as he left, Li Wei’s expression changed. He stretched out a hand, “As far as the publisher is concerned, I’m in charge. Six, ten, even fifteen percent—I can make it happen. But you’re a newcomer, so to be safe, I’ll compromise. We’ll start with one book—ten thousand copies is the target. If sales are under ten thousand, I’ll get you six percent royalties; over ten thousand, ten percent; over thirty thousand, fifteen percent. And for future books, ten percent will be the base rate.”

Over twenty thousand copies, that’s fifteen percent—a substantial royalty.

Zhang Tan felt Li Wei was showing some sincerity, so he was tempted, “So how much do you want, Director Li?”

Li Wei tapped his fingers on the table, then said unhurriedly, “Split it fifty-fifty. You write the book, I handle the connections—fair enough.”

“Half?” Zhang Tan cursed inwardly.

“How about it? That’s a good deal for a newcomer. Normally, publishing royalties are between six and ten percent. For you as a newcomer, the three percent I mentioned earlier would already be a profit. Now I’m letting you sell up to thirty thousand copies—getting seven point five percent, you’re making a killing.”

Zhang Tan took a breath and replied, “Director Li, that’s too much. How about less? If we sell thirty thousand copies, that’s a big gain—I should at least get a normal ten percent, right?”

“If you take ten percent, I’m left with five. That’s not fair, young man!”

“Five percent is quite a lot. I don’t think my book will only sell thirty thousand. Otherwise, I’d rather take a buyout at one hundred fifty thousand. Giving you five percent is already generous—a few tens of thousands, enough for an ordinary person’s salary for two or three years.”

Li Wei squinted, “You’re not being reasonable, young man. I’m giving you a fifty-fifty split because you seem like a good person and your writing is decent—I hope we can work together for a long time. Normally, people dream of getting a fifty-fifty deal from me. You should know when to be content; biting off more than you can chew is foolish.”

“Is asking for ten percent really unreasonable?” Zhang Tan felt his anger rising—Li Wei was simply greedy, demanding half as if wanting to drink his blood. “I get thirteen percent in Taiwan.”

“Taiwan is Taiwan, don’t mix things up. Seven point five percent is already generous. Don’t be too lofty, young man—look further ahead.”

Zhang Tan shook his head, “Director Li, let’s not waste words. Give me a sincere offer and we’ll cooperate happily. If you insist on forcing things, I can’t agree.”

“You just don’t get it, do you? If you want to publish, you have to go through me, understood? Seven point five percent is already showing you respect. For others, I’d take ten percent and they wouldn’t dare say a word!” Li Wei dropped all pretense, speaking arrogantly and pounding the table.

Zhang Tan’s temper flared; he folded his arms and said coldly, “Well, I’m not ‘others’!”

“Think carefully!” Li Wei pointed at Zhang Tan, his gaze dark. “Opportunities don’t come every day. Once you walk out that door, forget about publishing your book. My patience is limited.”

“I’d rather not publish than fatten someone like you!”

Li Wei glared, “You’ve got guts!”

“Watch your mouth, don’t overestimate yourself. Your publisher isn’t the only one.”

“Fine, I’ll say it now—you won’t find a second publisher in Wuhai to take your book. Don’t think Wang Conglun’s connections will help you. I’ve been in publishing for years—every publisher gives me respect!”

“You’re hilarious. Are you a government official? You think the entire publishing world bows to you? Do you believe there’s only one publisher in Wuhai?”

“There may be many publishers, but without Wang Conglun’s help, just try your luck! You need to remember—you’re nothing!”

Bang!

Zhang Tan immediately grabbed his chair.

He wasn’t one to shrink from insults.

Just as he was about to swing the chair and start a fight, Wang Conglun, returning with the yogurt, suddenly opened the door and rushed in to restrain Zhang Tan, hastily trying to mediate.

Clearly, he had waited outside for a while, only intervening when the situation spiraled out of control.

Li Wei, startled by Zhang Tan’s action, dared not linger and stormed out, “Old Wang, don’t introduce random people to me again—they waste my time!”

As soon as he opened the door, Zhang Tan’s chair broke free from Wang Conglun’s grip and flew across the room, crashing loudly against the door. But because Wang Conglun had pulled him off target, the chair missed Li Wei, who seized the chance to escape.

Zhang Tan tried to chase after him, but Wang Conglun held him back tightly, “Zhang Tan, Zhang Tan, don’t be impulsive! Hurting someone is not good!”

Taking a deep breath to quell his fury, Zhang Tan forced a grim smile for Wang Conglun, “It’s fine. I know.”