Chapter 168: First-Day Sales Figures Released

It was not only *Tokyo Literature* of the Mantan Agency that noticed Akiwara Yuto's work had begun serialization in *April Youth*.

Very quickly, other competitors also took notice and began to pay attention.

For the publishing industry, the name Akiwara Yuto had become quite famous recently; after all, he not only won an award but also had a series of disputes with the Mantan Agency.

Therefore, once the news spread, they all became vigilant, judging that *April Youth* was very likely to "make a comeback" and even wanted to challenge their status.

The editorial departments of these magazines naturally would not agree; after all, the current literary journal publishing market is in an overall decline, and killing off one competitor is one less to worry about.

Having finally seen the sales of *April Youth* drop to only 70, 00 copies, and with it about to collapse and cede the market, how could they allow the other side to catch its breath?

For a time, major magazines were all increasing their advertising budget applications. While increasing space in newspapers, they even began to value channels with lower cost-effectiveness, such as radio and television.

The Mantan Agency's *Tokyo Literature* valued Akiwara Yuto the most. Under the application of Songdao Hehong, the advertising space was increased from 5 to 7 slots, all in newspapers with a certain level of influence.

At the same time, they increased the emphasis on the works of their two portal writers, Seto Tamae and Nakata Keito, letting book reviewers say many good things.

Jingfan Agency's *Literature Spring* followed closely behind. In addition to stabilizing existing promotional space, they strengthened cooperation with high schools.

They even passed a decision to increase the kickbacks given to bookstores located near many schools.

Dongying Agency's *Tokyo Youth* was the slowest to react, but this magazine had the highest sales volume, so its cash flow was the healthiest.

Therefore, regarding the potential threat from *April Youth*, they only announced that a new work had begun serialization.

Regardless, for a time, the entire literary journal circle began to tense up: each magazine brought out its own weapons—those with money threw money, those without increased channels—a scene of preparing for battle.

After hearing these rumors, Akiwara Yuto could not help but feel a bit excited.

After all, being able to compete on the same stage as writers from other magazines is a very interesting thing.

Yesterday, when the new issue of *April Youth* went on sale, that Editor Dacheng called, saying that the Kejiaoguan side had additionally allocated 30 million yen in promotional funds and arranged to increase publicity in several newspapers.

However, with all magazines increasing their promotion now, how much of a promotional effect *April Youth* could achieve remained to be seen.

Therefore, what could truly support sales was still the quality of the serialized works.

Thinking of this, Akiwara Yuto subconsciously looked at the location of the door.

Come to think of it, the first-day sales of *April Youth* should have been released by now; why hadn't a call come in yet?

Just as he was puzzled, the phone rang. He immediately stood up, walked toward the Xuanguan downstairs, and picked up the phone.

The voice of Dacheng Lixiang came through the receiver.

"Teacher Akiwara, the first-day sales data has been tallied. Because the promotion was effective, yesterday's first-day sales were around 27, 00 copies. It is expected that by the end of this week, sales can exceed 100, 00 copies."

Her voice was very happy. In her view, inviting Akiwara Yuto to join *April Youth* on the condition of giving up some benefits was undoubtedly the most correct decision possible.

Relying solely on the name Akiwara Yuto, which had frequently appeared in newspapers recently, attracted the interest of many people.

If it were another writer, even a more senior "old man" of the literary world, it is estimated that this effect would not have been achieved.

No, it should be that it definitely would not have achieved this effect!

Therefore, after learning the first-day sales, she skipped Awa Hideki and called Akiwara Yuto personally, wanting to let him feel encouraged after knowing the results.

But she did not know that after hearing this result, Akiwara Yuto was not as happy as she thought.

In Akiwara Yuto's view, although the first-day sales data looked good, it was actually only average.

After all, the other three major publishing houses had now launched a series of "offensives." If this continued, the effect of advertisements and book reviews would only get worse and worse.

Because readers suffer from "aesthetic fatigue," under the circumstances of being bombarded repeatedly, it is impossible for them to purchase the corresponding book just by seeing one book review.

Besides, the reader base of the other three journals was already large. The one with the fewest now had weekly sales of over 200, 00 copies, and the one with the most goes without saying—weekly sales had reached 300, 00 copies!

Looking at *April Youth*, after announcing the release of a new serialization, the weekly sales only increased from the original 70, 00 copies to an estimated 100, 00 copies or so.

There was still too big a gap compared to the other three!

Akiwara Yuto thought for a moment and said to the receiver: "Editor-in-Chief Dacheng, are there any other channels to increase sales?"

Dacheng Lixiang had thought that Akiwara Yuto would be happy, but she did not expect to hear such a reply.

She thought for a while and asked in confusion: "Teacher Akiwara, are you dissatisfied?"

In the current highly competitive literary journal market, just announcing the news of his serialization in the magazine could increase sales by 30, 00 copies.

This number does not look like much, but it is 40% of the original sales, which can definitely be considered a great joy—if this continues, the sales of *April Youth* will certainly be able to gradually return to the level of about 150, 00 copies.

Therefore, she really did not understand why Akiwara Yuto was dissatisfied.

However, upon hearing Editor-in-Chief Dacheng's confusion, Akiwara Yuto immediately reacted and cooperated by saying: "No, I am quite satisfied; I just wanted to understand the follow-up actions of the editorial department."

He and *April Youth* only had a cooperative relationship; it was better not to care too much.

Otherwise, he might be considered by the other side as wanting to interfere in their affairs.

"So that's how it is," Dacheng Lixiang nodded and replied: "Regarding promotion, the editorial department cannot apply for more budget, but for other channels, we will discuss it in a meeting."

Akiwara Yuto was a bit puzzled, "Other channels?"

Hearing Akiwara Yuto's question, Dacheng Lixiang thought for a moment and explained specifically.

"*April Youth* is, after all, a journal under the Kejiaoguan banner, so we can communicate with the textbook department to see if they can help us introduce some school heads to hold some activities like signing events."

She paused and added: "At that time, I will have to trouble you, Teacher Akiwara. As for the labor fee for the signing event, we will pay you separately."

Akiwara Yuto did not expect there to be these connections, but after thinking about it, he subconsciously gasped.

Good heavens, *April Youth* is aiming at Jingfan Agency's *Literature Spring* to seize their market!

After all, the one most keen on expanding the student market right now is that very company!

However, he also felt a little more at ease; after all, if one compares the connections of all publishing houses in the education sector, Kejiaoguan is undoubtedly the most robust.

Therefore, the channel strategy mentioned by Dacheng Lixiang undoubtedly had considerable feasibility.

Perhaps it could really drive a significant amount of sales!

Akiwara Yuto nodded and replied with a smile: "I know about this matter. Just tell me in advance when it is arranged."

"Then I will leave it to you!" Dacheng Lixiang responded with a smile and intended to end the call.

But just as she was about to say "excuse me," Akiwara Yuto said again.

"The manuscripts for the second and third issues of *Invisible Guest* have been written. Please have Editor Awa Hideki come over this afternoon."

"So fast!?" Dacheng Lixiang was a bit surprised.

She had been an editor-in-chief for so many years and rarely saw writers who could submit manuscripts in advance, let alone deliver two issues at once.

But she quickly reacted and replied: "I understand, thank you for your hard work."

……

At 6: 0 PM, Dacheng Lixiang sat in front of her desk and asked Awa Hideki, who was standing there.

"Have you received these two issues of Teacher Akiwara's work? Have you confirmed there are no errors or omissions?"

Awa Hideki nodded, then handed over the document bag containing the manuscripts, and replied: "A total of 65 pages of manuscripts. All manuscripts have been checked once, and I have ensured there are no errors or omissions."

Dacheng Lixiang nodded, took the document bag, and opened it.

She wanted to see what content Akiwara Yuto would write for the next two issues of *Invisible Guest*.