Chapter 20: Negotiation of Contributor Remuneration
December 28, Sunday, afternoon
Putting on the newly purchased decent clothes, Lynn and Matt followed Arthur to the coffee shop in the wealthy area where they had made an appointment with editor Fan Lun.
The cafe environment is comfortable, filled with aroma, and the gramophone plays soft and elegant music.
Sitting by the window, when you turn your head, you can see the cruise ships on the Menne River that crosses the city, as well as the square on the other side of the river.
Arthur had been to the affluent areas many times, and Matt had previously worked as a chimney cleaner in the affluent areas. They had no new feelings about the prosperity, cleanliness, and orderliness along the affluent areas.
But Lynn is different.
The memories in his mind were all vague scenes from a few years ago. Now he came here after staying in the slums for a while. The two places looked completely different. The huge contrast still shocked him a little.
One city, two worlds. Invisible barriers separate the rich and the poor physically and mentally.
"Hello, sir, what would you like to drink?"
Linn, after Arthur sat down, the waiter came over and asked respectfully.
Arthur casually ordered two drinks, then looked at Matt who was waiting aside: "Matt, you go to the door and wait. When you see Editor Fan Lun, say that you are Lynn's entourage, and then invite him over."
"The problem is that I don't know him." Matt was at a loss because he had returned to such a luxurious place to spend money, and he had to be responsible for playing the role of a follower.
"Fan Lun is about the same height as you. He has a handlebar mustache, a hooked nose, deep sunken eye sockets, not many hairs, wears broken glasses, and always tilts his head. Anyway, look at who looks the least like a good person.
That's who he is." Arthur gave Fan Lun's appearance and characteristics.
"Then you drink slowly." Matt scratched his head and waited for Fan Lun outside the coffee shop.
Arthur became addicted to cigarettes, and subconsciously took out the cigarette case. He realized that smoking was not allowed here, and reluctantly stuffed it back into his pocket: "After finishing the novel, let's look for a suitable place to stay here.
Two days? I feel like the next cleanup task is coming."
"I have to find a reason to get my brother away." Lin En observed the scene outside the window. He didn't know if it was because of his psychology. He really felt that the air here was sweeter than that in the slums.
"It's simple. He will have to go back to the warehouse to work as a porter after the performance. He won't be able to take care of you when he is busy. Besides, you don't need to take care of you now. When the time comes, tell him that he should often come out to look for inspiration when writing novels, and he can fool him no matter what.
." Arthur helped with ideas.
"We'll talk about it after we finish talking." This was a small matter, and Lin En didn't take it to heart.
After a while, the waiter brought two cups of coffee.
Arthur took a sip and looked dissatisfied: "It's really not fun to spend money."
Lin En asked first, then took a sip: "Not bad."
"What's your psychological price point?" Arthur asked as the waiting process was a bit boring.
"I have learned that for a newspaper like the Tswold Daily News, the maximum salary for novels published is about 150 copper coins per 1,000 words, or they are priced per line or paid per article. In short, the prices are almost in this range.
As for me, strive for at least one hundred copper coins for every thousand words." Lin En said.
When adapting "The Sherlock Holmes", he controlled the length of each story to about 10,000 words, and could write the first draft and polished version in an average of two to three days.
If the price of a thousand words is 100 copper coins, each article has 10,000 words, and if you submit two articles every week, you can earn 8,000 copper coins a month, which is 80 gold coins.
It’s equivalent to more than two years’ salary of hardworking Matt.
If placed in a wealthy area, the income is considered to be quite high, comparable to that of an average middle-class family.
Of course, the main reason why he can make so much money is that Lin En is so good at writing. He has countless wonderful stories in his mind, which he can tell at any time if necessary.
If others can submit two or three articles a month, it is considered good, but he can output at least eight articles stably.
If it weren't for the cleaning tasks that took away his energy, and the editors who deducted manuscript fees, he was actually sure to earn two hundred gold coins a month, comparable to the top group in the middle class.
It can be said that Lin En was not afraid that she would not write enough, but that the newspaper would not be able to absorb so many submissions.
"One hundred copper coins?" From Arthur's perspective, the price was still a bit exaggerated. "I thought you would quote around fifty copper coins."
"Fifty is too low." Linn couldn't accept such a price.
You know, what he brought out was "The Sherlock Holmes"!
Normally, its true value is not something that Tswold Daily can afford. Giving it one hundred copper coins now is already a win-win situation.
"No, no, no, I think you may not know enough. Indeed, the best treatment is as high as one hundred and fifty copper coins, but the problem is that those who can get this price, and those close to this price, are those who have been famous for a long time.
Novelists. Their works have been tested by the market, and they have also established deep cooperative relationships with newspapers. The most important thing is that editors like Fan Lun do not dare to skimp on novelists who have such a high status and are particularly in demand."
Arthur thought he was more thoughtful than Lynn.
Lynn listened patiently.
Arthur said earnestly: "What about you? You have no reputation. After taking into account the difference in price earned by the editor, even if you get fifty, the real price is almost equal to one hundred, which is already very good. You want a
In the eyes of the editor, the price of one hundred and fifty copper coins is no different from that of other veteran novelists, and it is impossible for him to agree to it."
"What you said makes sense, but I have my reasons." Linn had no intention of giving in.
If it didn't work out, he simply took Matt to the imperial capital of the Kingdom of Ven to have a try.
There are definitely more opportunities there than in Tswold.
For a man of his ability, it is only a matter of time before he becomes famous.
"You're just too stubborn. I've read your novel, and it's really addictive. Not to mention one hundred copper coins, I think it's worthy of one hundred and fifty copper coins. But the key is, you haven't become famous yet.
Your novel has not yet withstood the test of the market, and there is still the phenomenon of editors getting stuck in the middle to make profit. You can only slowly climb up from fifty copper coins. Let alone the Tswold Daily News, if you switch to any newspaper, you will be
That's the only way. Only when your reputation is established and it's time for newspapers to praise you, can you truly enjoy the benefits that match your abilities." Arthur advised Linn to be realistic.
"I-"
"Coming."
When Lin En was about to explain the reason for his quotation of one hundred copper coins, Arthur raised his chin to his side.
He turned around and saw Matt coming over with a middle-aged man wearing a top hat and whose appearance was exactly the same as Arthur's description.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Arthur." Fan Lun took off his hat and shook Arthur's hand before he met him. Then he looked at Linn in surprise, "Are you Mr. Linn? I didn't expect that you could write such a book at such a young age.
Wonderful story, really admirable.”
"This is nothing." Lin En said modestly.
"Sir, if you need anything, call me." After Matt sent the person there, he bowed to Linn and said hello.
"Go." Linn nodded slightly and watched Matt leave the coffee shop in style.
"Come on, let me introduce you. This is the editor of the Tswold Daily News, Mr. Van Lun. He has a very sharp eye. There is not a single novel published by him that is not popular. It will definitely be appreciated by him.
It's something to be happy about." Arthur invited Fan Lun to sit down. "This is Mr. Linn from Kip City in the north. His family is in the brewing business. He was traveling this time and happened to be in our Zwo.
Deshi was injured and could only rest for a few months, so he wanted to take advantage of these few months to write something to earn some living expenses and support himself."
"Injured?! Are you okay? Do you need me to arrange for you to go to the best hospital in Tswold City?" Fan Lun asked with concern.
"It's nothing serious. It's just that my leg fell down and I can't walk very well. I still want to thank Mr. Arthur for rescuing me in time and introducing me to you." Lin En glanced at the crutches lying next to him.
Fan Lun breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, but if you need follow-up examination and treatment, just tell me. I can help you arrange the best hospital and the best doctor."
"Thank you."
"It's really admirable from the bottom of my heart. Your family's property is not small, but you are still able to calm down and travel, and you are self-sufficient along the way, unlike other rich kids I met..." Fan Lun flattered Lin En.
"It's nothing, let's talk about the novel first." Linn interrupted Fan Lun to prevent him from asking more questions about the fake background and at the same time add a sense of mystery.