Chapter 236: Science Fiction Literature and Art Commission
Sichuan Province, Science Fiction Literature and Art magazine.
Yang Xiao looked at the sales chart and said sadly, "Comrades, we only sold 10,000 copies of the last issue. If this continues, Science and Literature will be closed down. We are the last stronghold of science fiction. Once Science and Literature closes down, my country's science fiction will be silent, and I don't know when it will wake up again."
"President, I think we can change our thinking," an editor said. "Instead of waiting for writers to submit their works, why don't we ask a few well-known writers to write for us? Even just for the sake of the names of these well-known writers, we can increase sales by a lot."
Another editor retorted: "Science fiction is different from serious literature. These well-known domestic writers cannot write science fiction. There are many science fiction writers in Hong Kong. Why don't we buy the copyright from them directly? Maybe we can increase sales."
The editors began to discuss that both methods had their pros and cons.
Asking well-known writers to write for them will definitely help Science and Literature expand its market. But can these well-known writers write good science fiction? If not, Science and Literature will definitely suffer a backlash and may even close down.
It is indeed safe to buy copyrights from Hong Kong writers, but the consumption level in Hong Kong is high, and the copyright fee for a novel is at least tens of thousands of yuan. After "Science and Literature" became self-financing, it has been losing money. It can't even take out 10,000 yuan, let alone 1,000 yuan.
Both methods are difficult to implement and I can't find a solution.
At this time, an editor sighed: "It would be great if we could find a well-known writer from the mainland whose asking price would not be so high."
Another editor complained: "Don't dream, famous writers are all expensive."
"That's not the case!" an editor said weakly, "Liu Hongmin meets the requirements, but we can't hire him."
Everyone's eyes lit up. "Yes! Liu Hongmin is the most famous person in the country, and his royalties have always been in accordance with national regulations. More importantly, his writing style is varied. He can write history, suspense, spy war, satire, fantasy, and science fiction."
"That's fine, but can we invite this great god?"
Yang Xiao's mind was turning. He tapped the table with his fingers, signaling everyone to be quiet.
"Comrades, this is a matter of life and death. Even if there is only a glimmer of hope, we must give it a try. Xiao Li, help me book a ticket immediately. I will go to Beijing in person to arrange for the manuscript."
"Okay, President!"
In this way, Yang Xiao boarded the train to Beijing with the determination to die.
When he arrived in Beijing, he first went to Beijing Literature and Art and found Liu Xinwu. Liu Xinwu was from Sichuan Province, and it was very common in those days to look for fellow villagers when there was something to do.
When Liu Xinwu heard about Yang Xiao's intention, he expressed his willingness to help. Although he didn't know much about science fiction, he would not watch it disappear in China. Moreover, Liu Hongmin was a quick writer, and writing a few short stories would not waste Liu Hongmin's time at all.
He arranged for Yang Xiao to stay in a guesthouse and took Yang Xiao to visit Liu Hongmin the next day.
Yang Xiao came here for the first time and saw Liu Hongmin's strict security measures. He was inexplicably a little nervous. He didn't expect that he would need a body search to meet a writer.
Liu Xinwu comforted him, "Don't be afraid. The main reason is that the Red Citizens have offended too many people. If you don't have an acquaintance with you, you will be searched at the three checkpoints along the way."
Yang Xiao didn't know what to say when he heard this. Liu Hongmin was afraid of death! But he always managed to accomplish great things. Liu Hongmin was extravagant! But this money was also earned by him with hard work.
When they entered the living room, they saw Liu Hongmin holding the child and teasing him.
"Hongmin, you've become a househusband now." Liu Hongmin looked up, "Teacher Liu, why are you here? I don't have any manuscripts for you now!"
"Is the only thing I'm looking for you about is the manuscript?"
"What else?"
Liu Xinwu tapped him with his hand and said, "If you continue like this, our friendship will be over!"
After making a few jokes, Liu Xinwu introduced: "This is Yang Xiao, the president of Science and Literature magazine."
At this time, Liu's mother came over and yelled at her grandson.
Liu Hongmin then reached out and shook hands with Yang Xiao, "Hello."
"Hello!" Yang Xiao shook Liu Hongmin's hand with both hands, "Comrade Hongmin, I have long heard of your name."
Liu Xinwu smiled and said, "Hongmin, Science and Literature is the last stronghold of science fiction in my country, but its sales are very poor now. If sales can't be improved, it may have to close down. That's why Yang Xiao came all the way to Beijing to ask for your help."
Yang Xiao also said: "Comrade Hongmin, we hope to have a few articles with you."
Liu Hongmin asked: "What is the specific situation?"
Yang Xiao explained: "Since the magazine became self-sufficient, science fiction magazines and newspapers have been on a downward spiral. Science Fiction Newspaper, Science Fiction Ocean and Wisdom Tree have ceased publication, and Science Age was renamed Family Life Guide, which completely changed the direction of the publication. Now only Science Fiction Literature and Art is struggling to survive, and we are almost out of salary."
Liu Hongmin nodded and said, "I never thought that science fiction in China would be so difficult."
"Yes!" Liu Xinwu said, "I just learned about this situation, but Yang Xiao and the others are right. Now only you can help Science and Literature."
"There is no problem with the manuscript." Liu Hongmin agreed immediately.
Yang Xiao was very happy, "Really? Thank you so much."
Liu Hongmin waved his hand, "You're welcome. However, I am only one person after all. My manuscripts can help me out in an emergency, but it is still difficult to completely save Science and Literature. You also need to make changes and give Science and Literature a proper positioning, so that you can attract more writers to contribute."
Yang Xiao glanced at Liu Xinwu, and Liu Xinwu chimed in, "Hongmin, do you have any ideas? If you do, just say it."
Liu Hongmin said, "Let me be frank. The name 'Science and Literature' is a bit unclear. Literature and Art is cultural art, and it is not very different from other literary magazines. I think there are a lot of serious literature in the submissions you received, right?"
Yang Xiao nodded, "Indeed. We also thought about changing the name, but then we felt it was unnecessary."
"It's necessary!" Liu Hongmin said with a smile, "The new name must highlight science, so that the submissions you receive can focus on popular science articles and science fiction novels. And in terms of content, you can also add science fiction comics. I can license the Transformers comics to you, which should be enough for you to use for several years."
Yang Xiao was very surprised. Transformers is the best science fiction animation in China. It is just that it was not published in the magazine because of cooperation with foreign countries. If Transformers can be serialized, the sales volume of Science and Literature will definitely be stable at more than 100,000 copies.
(End of this chapter)
