Chapter 112: How Many People Will There Be?

Chiyoda Ward, 8:30 AM.

Akiwara Yuto was lying on his bedroom bed reading a book, while a torrential rain was falling outside the window, hitting the roof with a "pitter-patter."

Just then, a telephone ring came from the direction of the downstairs.

Akiwara Yuto stood up and walked to the stairs. He picked up the receiver, and before he could speak, he heard a familiar man's voice.

"Mr. Akiwara, the sales for the second week have been tallied. In addition, the first-day sales and estimated sales for the third week are also out."

Akiwara Yuto recognized that it was Anjiu Jin Gangyi on the other end, so he said, "Please tell me about last week first."

"Okay," Anjiu Jin Gangyi didn't have much small talk and reported last week's results. His voice carried a hint of excitement.

"According to multi-channel data statistics from bookstores and distributors, the total sales last week were about 4,500 copies, which is quite a bit higher than previously estimated."

Akiwara Yuto thought for a moment and immediately understood the reason for Anjiu Jin Gangyi's excitement.

Generally speaking, without book reviewers or other special operational means, book sales should be highest in the first week and then gradually decline every week.

So, according to the data of 4,000 copies for the first week of "Suspect X," the second week should be slightly lower, for example, between 3,500 and 3,800.

So, what was the reason? Could it be the forum's traffic?

But it had only been serialized for three issues, so logically that shouldn't be it……

Just as he was thinking, Anjiu Jin Gangyi's voice came through the receiver again, "Mr. Akiwara, there is a rather special situation, I'll tell you about it here too."

"Please go ahead."

"According to feedback from several bookstores, some readers often curse while buying books, and some people ask bookstore clerks if 'Death of a Mystery Novelist' is for sale when buying 'Suspect X'."

He added, "But it's very strange, I checked the books on the market and couldn't find a book called 'Death of a Mystery Novelist'."

Hearing this, Akiwara Yuto subconsciously twitched the corner of his mouth. Since it was serialized on the internet, of course you wouldn't find it.

But come to think of it, it really was the effect of the forum's traffic……

Akiwara Yuto coughed, not answering the question. He didn't want to expose himself as the author of "Death of a Mystery Novelist" yet, so he asked, "President Anjiu, what are the estimated sales for this week?"

Anjiu Jin Gangyi hesitated but said, "Based on the data feedback from these two weeks and yesterday's first-day sales, we might be able to sell 5,000 copies this week."

Akiwara Yuto nodded. According to this trend, the first printing of 30,000 copies could be sold out in as fast as two and a half months, and he could quickly recoup his funds.

"By the way, President Anjiu, how is the preparation for the signing event? What are the arrangements for the venue and time?" Akiwara Yuto asked another question.

"Currently, it's basically all done. We will first arrange the signing event at Yamazaki Bookstore in Setagaya Ward, and then go to bookstores in other areas for signings," Anjiu Jin Gangyi said in a sincere tone, "Mr. Akiwara, I'll leave it to you then."

"No need to be so polite, after all, this is our common interest," Akiwara Yuto replied with a smile, "What about the time?"

"I will drive to pick you up early the day after tomorrow. You just need to wear a formal suit," Anjiu Jin Gangyi replied.

Akiwara Yuto responded with an "Understood" and ended the call, preparing to go to the kitchen to eat a piece of bread for breakfast.

……

Time quickly reached the morning of the day after tomorrow.

Akiwara Yuto changed into a suit and sat in the business sedan driven by Anjiu Jin Gangyi, driving towards Setagaya.

Looking at the scenery receding in the rearview mirror, Akiwara Yuto pondered a question: how many people would come to this signing event?

To be honest, he was still a bit unclear about his current positioning.

When serializing in "New Novel," with the help of the Mantanshe platform and the assistance of book reviewers, the "ZOO" series indeed had over a hundred thousand reader fans, and he was also called a so-called "thriller genius."

But he didn't expect that after leaving Mantanshe and switching to self-publishing, it would be so difficult to sell ten thousand copies, and he could only keep racking his brains to use various methods to drive traffic.

However, Akiwara Yuto had a guess in his heart: many of his original reader fans didn't know that he had terminated his cooperation with "New Novel" and might still think he was in a dormant period and hadn't released a new book.

After all, internet channels weren't developed in this era, and there were no channels like Weibo or Twitter to spread news quickly; the main reliance was still on newspapers and television.

Akiwara Yuto thought for a moment and asked a question to Anjiu Jin Gangyi, who was driving.

"President Anjiu, regarding this signing event, how was the specific promotional work arranged before?"

This still needed to be clarified; after all, the greater the promotional effort, the more readers would know he was releasing a new book, and the easier it would be to attract fans.

Anjiu Jin Gangyi kept his eyes on the road but replied, "We put up posters in over 30 partner bookstores and arranged for people to be stationed there, distributing a total of 10,000 flyers."

"Mr. Akiwara, don't worry. Based on current sales and my personal experience, at least several hundred readers will come to the scene to ask for your autograph."

Akiwara Yuto nodded and didn't speak.

If it were several hundred readers, it wouldn't be too few, but it wouldn't be too many either; it could only be said to be standard.

However, Akiwara Yuto was still a bit suspicious, wondering if Anjiu Bookstore would bring in "plants"~

In his past life, he had seen news that a manga artist in Japan held a signing event, but only a dozen real readers showed up on the day, which shocked the publisher responsible for organizing the event.

To prevent the manga artist from being discouraged, the publisher immediately arranged for "plants," organizing bookstore clerks and the families of publishing house employees to come to the scene with books for autographs.

But the most embarrassing thing was that during the signing process, the manga artist asked a few questions and discovered that most of these people hadn't read his manga.

The manga artist didn't expose them, just continued to sign honestly.

After the signing event ended, the manga artist bowed to the staff and, while saying "thank you," also expressed hope that they wouldn't do this next time, which made the publisher very embarrassed.

Akiwara Yuto was still a bit uneasy, worried that he would end up like that manga artist.

After all, there were too many factors involved in a signing event, and no one could say for sure how many people would come.

But forget it, he should just rest for a while and recharge for the upcoming signing.

Akiwara Yuto ended the conversation, leaned his body against the passenger seat, and closed his eyes.

The car continued to move forward, and after 30 minutes, it arrived at today's destination, Yamazaki Bookstore in Setagaya Ward. Akiwara Yuto also woke up at this time.

Looking at the scene at the entrance of Yamazaki Bookstore, he couldn't help but open his eyes wide and asked Anjiu Jin Gangyi, who was also a bit incredulous.

"President Anjiu, is this what you called several hundred people?" ===== CHAPTER 113 =====