"Yes, it will be sold on a trial basis in Tokyo and nearby Saitama, Chiba and other places in a few days."
Bai Gui nodded.
The news about the publication of single volumes by the Great Qin Empire was not only advertised in Minjin Newspaper and Asahi Shimbun, but also published in many newspapers, so it was not surprising that Ryunosuke Akutagawa knew this.
At this time, reading and subscribing to newspapers is a must for anyone with a little wealth and knowledge.
"Then I wish the seniors a great success in selling the first issue!"
Ryunosuke Akutagawa expressed congratulations.
The two shook hands again.
…
April 11th, Sunday.
This day is the time set by the Asahi Shimbun Press for the release of the first issue of the Qin Empire novel.
There are a total of five sales outlets in Tokyo for the first issue of the novel.
Maruyama Bookstore is a bookstore owned by the Asahi Shimbun and the only sales point in Bunkyo Ward.
A total of 500 single volumes have been prepared for sale this time.
Outside the store, there were already many readers waiting, about a hundred people, both men and women, 90% of whom were men. They were all students from major schools who had heard the news, and they all lined up neatly.
In the bookstore, the clerk has finished selling the goods and will start selling them as soon as the time comes.
The time is set at 12 noon.
Bai Gui was also waiting in the bookstore. He came early in the morning and was a little worried about whether the first issue would be sold successfully.
It is not uncommon for novels to be well-received but not popular. It only costs a few dollars to subscribe to an issue of a newspaper, but when you pay for a newspaper, you pay 1.3 yen all at once... Readers who are not very loyal are not willing to ask for such a sum of money...
So this time he came in person and planned to rely on his celebrity effect to get autographs if he bought the book.
This will increase sales.
This can be considered the norm for most new writers.
Ordinary great writers don't have this need. As long as they have a single book, many people can buy it due to their reputation. Although Bai Gui is famous, it is not to that level. Signing on the day of release is undoubtedly a good way to increase sales.
…
"Time is up!"
Bai Gui looked at the clock in the bookstore and said.
The clerk nodded and immediately changed the small wooden sign hanging on the sales shelf from "Pre-sale" to "Real Sale".
"I'll buy one!"
"I bought three books, one for collection, one for reading, one for biography..."
"Hurry up, I can't wait."
"..."
Readers poured in.
Bai Gui also signed immediately.
In one morning, more than 200 copies of the 500-volume first issue were quickly sold, leaving less than 300 copies. By the afternoon, there were few people and there were not as many people as in the morning, but one copy was still sold.
More than a hundred volumes.
"Editor Bai, I went to the other four sales points to inquire. Except for Maruyama Bookstore, which sells well, the other sales points have only sold a total of more than a hundred copies so far..."
Nobuo Nakajima walked into Maruyama Bookstore and said to Shiro Gui when no one was around.
Although it was said that the Asahi Shimbun owned the copyright this time and was selling single volumes, Bai Gui and Nobuo Nakajima had a good relationship and trust, so he asked Nobuo Nakajima to find out the situation at other sales points.
"Together with those sold by Maruyama Bookstore, there are more than 370 volumes."
"The price is still a bit expensive, 1.3 yen..."
Bai Gui sighed.
If it were an ordinary short, medium or full-length novel, it would definitely sell much faster than it does now.
However, this speed was within his expectation and was actually pretty good. The scheduled sales time for the first issue was ten days. Within ten days, it was estimated that two thousand copies could be barely sold out in Tokyo.
But it still made him a little disappointed.
Asahisha will also investigate the sales situation of the first issue. If the sales response is good, then the second issue will be printed more. But on the contrary, if the sales are unfavorable, although the second issue will not be printed, the quantity will be greatly reduced.
Now it seems that the results of his sales are mediocre. Not too bad, but not too popular either.
"Brother Meihe, the embassy just arrived. The embassy said it would order 100 separate volumes to be sent to the country."
Liu Mingda rushed in.
"embassy?"
"Does the embassy have money?"
Bai Gui couldn't help but frown. The current embassy must have a lot more money than him, but this is the embassy of a country, not a person. It seems to have a lot of money, but it can't spare much funds and is stretched thin.
"At this time, Ambassador Wang used his own money to encourage students studying in Japan to study hard. Secondly, the novel written by you has also received a good response in China. He plans to donate these 100 copies to schools in various provinces..."
Liu Mingda couldn't help but smile and explained.
Ever since students studying abroad have traveled across the ocean, apart from the initial money they received, they have never seen any subsequent subsidies. Fortunately, those studying abroad are from good family backgrounds and have high academic qualifications, so it is easy to find a part-time job with a good salary.
Otherwise, with the subsidies sent by the embassy..., I would probably have starved to death.
"I will also donate a hundred copies to schools in various provinces, so there is no need to record them in the sales records."
Bai Gui sighed.
Ambassador Wang is the ambassador to Japan who succeeded Ambassador Hu. Ambassador Hu has been transferred to China for promotion. Ambassador Wang is also the last ambassador to Japan in history. He later served as the Director-General of Education and has a close relationship with President Cai.
"Why not record it?"
Liu Mingda frowned. This was the result of his hard-fought trip to the embassy to sell the goods.
Bai Gui shook his head and told him the reason.
Asahisha is not a fool. If one person buys a lot to increase sales, the second issue will definitely still have the same status as the unsold one, or even worse. However, Asahisha not only printed these two thousand volumes, but also had many preparatory books.
, there can be hundreds of volumes.
It would be easy for him to buy these unsold books.
Anyway, it’s only about 100 yen!
"Okay, okay, now I will ask my classmates to go to major colleges and universities to promote it..."
Liu Mingda hurried out of the door again.
The sale of Bai Gui's first issue this time is not only important to him, but also a great face-raising event for students studying in Japan. Similarly, Bai Gui is also the deputy minister, and has repeatedly defended them, doing his best to help them.
Nothing.
As evening approached, many students suddenly poured in.
"Buy a copy of Da Qin Empire."
"Well, it's The Qin Empire written by Bai Meihe. Buy a copy..."
At Maruyama Bookstore, the remaining three hundred copies were sold out immediately.
The books at the other four sales points are also close to being sold out. It can be said that the sale of this first issue was a great success.
"What's going on?"
Bai Gui was slightly startled.
Although there are many students studying in Japan, a considerable number of them are Japanese students, and the school badges on their uniforms are not the same.
He quickly stepped forward to inquire.
Only then did I know that it turned out that many teachers from colleges and universities had recommended the purchase of the Great Qin Empire a few days ago. It happened that Liu Mingda and others went to colleges and universities to promote this, so they knew the release time and rushed over one after another.
"You have me to thank for that!"
"It was me who asked the professors to recommend this book through my father's connections..."
Female reader Mitsuko Yamada broke in, placed three thick books on the signing table, raised her head, and said seriously.