Chapter 6: Cover Recommendation

Seeing the expression on Asano Aiko's face becoming more and more solemn, Akiwara Yuto, sitting opposite, gradually set his heart at ease—if it wasn't to sign a contract with him, the other party wouldn't have to be so tangled.

Actually, if it weren't for the lack of time, he originally wanted to write "Journey Under the Midnight Sun" or "The Devotion of Suspect X."

Because these two were full-length novels, they were not only more suitable for serialization but also could bring him greater benefits in terms of award acquisition and visualization.

For example, "The Devotion of Suspect X," just the movie had three versions in China, Japan, and Korea, and the income brought to the author was by no means a small amount.

In Japan, the fees obtained by an author for a literary work being filmed could be calculated like this.

First, get a sum of money based on the popularity of the work, usually ranging from hundreds of thousands of yen to millions of yen (popular works are calculated separately). After the movie is filmed, if the TV station broadcasts it or produces discs for sale, the author can get another sum of money based on the sales, and after deducting the fees for the publishing house, it can probably reach 2% to 3% of the total sales.

According to the box office estimate of his past life, this money could even be used to buy a house in the most expensive area now, but buying a house now was not a good choice.

On the other side, Asano Aiko finally thought clearly. The opportunity was right in front of her, and she must grasp it immediately.

She decided that after agreeing with Akiwara Yuto on the time to sign the contract, she would return to the editorial department to apply for opening a column.

She put down the manuscript paper flat, picked up the already cold coffee and took a sip, calmed her mood, and then opened her mouth to say: "Akiwara-san, I understand your meaning. I am preparing to build your work into a column serialized for 11 issues, published once a week."

After thinking, she added: "May I ask if you have any other requirements?"

This must be asked. Once the contract is officially signed, she will be Akiwara Yuto's responsible editor and his closest partner on the literary path.

So she must know what other requirements Akiwara Yuto has and try her best to help him fight for them.

It could be said that her main job had already begun from this moment.

Akiwara Yuto felt a bit excited and subconsciously clenched his fists. He knew that his signing was no problem, and the rest was how to fight for higher benefits.

What requirements should he raise?

He couldn't help but think about it.

Asking for higher manuscript fees didn't seem very appropriate. Although literary journals take the quality of manuscripts as a benchmark, this benchmark is measured by sales. Now that the article hasn't been published, he has no way to prove himself.

Then let's raise some requirements within a reasonable scope first. Anyway, as long as he can prove the performance of the work in reader feedback, then the publishing house will probably take the initiative to talk to him about manuscript fees and single volumes.

In short, the most important thing now is to promote the work. As long as he takes the first step, the road ahead will be flat.

He thought a lot, but it actually only took a few seconds. Then he looked at Asano Aiko with a firm gaze and said: "Ms. Asano, if possible, I want to get a cover recommendation."

For a periodical magazine, the most important position is undoubtedly the cover. If the work can be placed on it, it will often be seen by interested readers at the first time. But this position can usually only publish important work titles, which is very difficult to apply for.

For a newcomer, this request might still be a bit inappropriate, but whether it can succeed is another matter; he has to raise it first to see.

Asano Aiko showed a bit of a difficult expression after hearing Akiwara Yuto's request.

"Akiwara-san, the cover position is usually reserved for the most influential works. Now there are two novels being serialized in 'New Novel,' and their reader feedback is very good. If you want to apply for the cover, you must..."

"Ms. Asano, I understand what you mean." Akiwara Yuto said seriously.

"Then if my work has good reader feedback, I hope my work can be promoted on the cover. This point shouldn't be too much, right."

Regarding her reaction, Akiwara Yuto had already expected it, but he just wanted a definite guarantee. After all, he didn't know much about the situation of the editorial department, and who knew if there would be any personnel struggles that would affect him.

Although thinking like this was a bit of worrying about the sky, he still had to add a layer of insurance for himself, at least not to affect his normal promotion.

Seeing Akiwara Yuto's persistence, Asano Aiko was also a bit surprised, and she pondered for a while.

If Akiwara Yuto's work could get good feedback, her right to speak would undoubtedly increase greatly, and it would be reasonable to apply for the cover position then.

At that stage, for the sake of her own professional interests, even if Akiwara Yuto didn't mention it, she would take the initiative to propose it to the editor-in-chief and put Akiwara Yuto's work title on the cover.

However, before this step, it seemed she could try to do some promotion in other aspects.

A gentle smile appeared on her face again: "I understand, Akiwara-san. If the reader feedback is good, I will try my best to ensure that the work is promoted in time."

Akiwara Yuto nodded. He still wanted to ask when he could sign the contract and get the manuscript fee. After all, he was at risk of being kicked out of the house, so he shouldn't put on an act.

But to his surprise, Asano Aiko took the initiative to open her mouth: "Akiwara-san, are you free at 9:00 tomorrow morning? If you don't mind, can you trouble you to come to the 'New Novel' editorial department to sign the contract."

Akiwara Yuto breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "I will arrive on time."

Asano Aiko smiled with satisfaction and incidentally asked how the other stories were prepared. Akiwara Yuto responded confidently: "The stories have all been conceived, and can be written at any time."

"That's really great."

She also set her heart at ease. After all, if she signed the contract, she would become the responsible editor specifically for Akiwara Yuto, and her career would be half-tied to him.

The two chatted about other things, and Asano Aiko also told Akiwara Yuto about some internal situations of the publishing house. Upon learning that Akiwara Yuto didn't have an email address, she took the initiative to hand her business card to Akiwara, which had her contact information on it.

At this point, the time had almost reached 10:30 AM.

Akiwara Yuto was about to pay the bill, but didn't expect Asano Aiko to take the initiative to go to the counter to pay, and informed him that there was departmental funding.

Akiwara Yuto was polite for a few sentences to express his thanks. He was a bit embarrassed. Although he had been hearing a certain writer on the Internet say that it was natural for editors to treat writers to dinner, he still planned to treat her back after getting the manuscript fee.

In addition to his male chauvinism, there was also the important factor of handling the relationship with the responsible editor well.

The two walked out of the coffee shop together. Asano Aiko seemed to have remembered something and took the initiative to tell Akiwara Yuto: "Don't forget to bring your personal seal."

In Japanese society, the seal is a necessity of life. From renting houses and opening bank accounts to signing for mail, it is inseparable from it, and signing contracts is naturally no exception.

Akiwara Yuto nodded, then said goodbye and left separately. He walked on the way back with big strides, his mood uncontrollably excited.

Very good, the plan is smooth, and finally, he doesn't have to live a hard life! ===== CHAPTER 7 =====