Chapter 133

Natsume Chikage nodded:

"Yes."

"Since you're still in school, your study time must be very precious."

Hiiragi Kyoichiro's tone was considerate.

"It's not convenient for us to take up too much of your time, here is a standard publishing contract, please review it carefully."

"If there are no problems, fill in your work title, name, and signing date, and the contract will take effect."

"Considering you are very young, I strongly suggest you read every clause carefully. If there is anything you don't understand, you can ask me at any time."

Hiiragi Kyoichiro knew that the second group was currently having an internal group meeting, and their meetings usually lasted about an hour.

It had just passed eight o'clock, so even if Natsume Chikage spent half an hour reading the contract, there was plenty of time.

As for the quality of Natsume Chikage's novel itself, although he hadn't read it, he felt it didn't matter at all.

Since the second group had already completed the cross-review and notified the author to come and sign, it meant the manuscript itself was absolutely fine.

Skipping the manuscript review process and signing directly, in his opinion, had no impact.

Upon hearing this, the strange feeling in Natsume Chikage's heart became even stronger, but he didn't say much for the time being, instead taking the contract and reading it carefully.

Thanks to his experience from his previous life, Natsume Chikage was no stranger to legal documents like signing contracts.

He knew very well that no matter what situation he faced, as long as it involved signing, he had to review the clauses word by word, and never sign hastily because he found it troublesome or the clauses were long—this was the biggest taboo of all!

Therefore, when it came to signing, he always maintained the highest degree of caution.

After spending about ten minutes, he carefully read through the main clauses of the contract and asked Hiiragi Kyoichiro about several details on the spot.

Hiiragi Kyoichiro answered them one by one.

After some understanding, Natsume Chikage confirmed that this standard contract itself had no traps or problems, and for an ordinary new author, signing directly was acceptable.

But Natsume Chikage knew very well what kind of value his *The Devotion of Suspect X* had.

Once published, its sales would definitely not be low!

Precisely because he knew this, he wouldn't rush to sign.

Because the most critical part of the contract—the royalty split ratio—had not been determined, and this was exactly what needed to be negotiated.

"I've basically finished reading the contract clauses themselves, there are no big problems..." Natsume Chikage spoke slowly.

"That's of course."

Hiiragi Kyoichiro immediately took over, his tone full of confidence.

"Our Midnight Publishing House's contracts have always been standardized and transparent, and we will never set hidden clauses to harm the author's interests. Teacher Natsume, you can rest assured, just sign it."

He suppressed his inner urgency and handed a fountain pen to Natsume Chikage, signaling that he could sign.

However, Natsume Chikage shook his head.

"However, before signing, there is one more thing I would like to discuss with you specifically, Editor Hiiragi."

Hiiragi Kyoichiro was stunned for a moment and asked:

"What is it?"

Natsume Chikage looked directly into his eyes and said clearly:

"Regarding the specific ratio of the royalty split, I would like to discuss it with you in detail."

Hiiragi Kyoichiro's eyes widened slightly, and he was a bit surprised.

He didn't expect this high school student author to have such keen business awareness.

Usually, the vast majority of new authors, after seeing that the contract itself "has no problems," would be impatient to sign, fearing that they would miss this hard-won publishing opportunity.

Very few people would take the initiative to propose negotiating the split ratio when signing for the first time.

This—is often the first loss they take.

Only after the second book is successfully published will they realize this problem.

And this Natsume Chikage in front of him, while still a pure newcomer, could keep his cool, not rush to sign, and instead take the initiative to demand a negotiation of the split...

This courage and clarity are indeed not to be underestimated!

Not bad!!

Hiiragi Kyoichiro felt a trace of appreciation rise in his heart.

He liked dealing with people who had ambition and brains.

Although he hadn't read Natsume Chikage's manuscript, just based on the other party's appearance that transcended his age, the talent to pass the review in high school, and the huge packaging potential in the future, he was willing to offer more generous conditions than ordinary new authors.

This boy was completely worth his investment!

According to industry practice, royalties are the author's main source of income, usually calculated as "book price × royalty rate × sales quantity."

And the royalty rate is not fixed, varying greatly due to factors such as the author's seniority, work type, and sales channels.

The royalty rate for new authors usually fluctuates around 10%~20%, which is the most common range.

And ordinary best-selling authors can reach a royalty rate of 25~30%.

For those top authors who have phenomenal hit works, the royalty rate can even be negotiated to 50% or higher when renewing or signing a new work.

At that level, it's no longer the author who needs the publishing house, but the publishing house that needs to fight hard to win them over.

Given Natsume Chikage's talent for passing the review at such a young age, coupled with his high looks and brains—the highest price Hiiragi Kyoichiro was willing to offer in his heart was the top-tier 20% for new authors.

Of course, he couldn't show his cards at the beginning.

The art of negotiation lies in making the other party feel that the conditions they fought for were hard-won.

Hiiragi Kyoichiro maintained a professional smile and said:

"Regarding royalties, the standard for new authors in the company is generally around 15%."

"Considering that the quality of your work, Teacher Natsume, is indeed outstanding, I can personally fight for the highest 18% for you, how do you feel about this ratio?"

Natsume Chikage was not a novice who didn't know the ways of the world, nor did he like to fight unprepared battles.

Before coming, he had already checked the strategies for new author submissions and industry split practices in detail online.

He knew very well that for an organization like Midnight Publishing House, the highest split given to potential newcomers could reach 20%.

The so-called "18% is the highest" was completely a tactic.

But what Natsume Chikage wanted was not just 18% or 20%.

He wanted more!

Because the property at home that was about to be auctioned off was like a Sword of Damocles hanging over his head, forcing him to earn as much money as possible in the shortest time!

He was about to speak, preparing to start this negotiation around his own value—

Just then, the door of the conference room was slammed open from the outside with a "bang"!

The section chief of the second editorial group, Miyagi Kazuu, led the panting Takahashi Jun and Niigaki Shoji and rushed in like a whirlwind.

Miyagi Kazuu's gaze was like a knife, instantly locking onto Hiiragi Kyoichiro across the conference table, and the suppressed anger made him explode with profanity:

"Hiiragi Kyoichiro, I'll f*** your mother!!!"