Chapter 248

Natsume Chikage nodded:

"Yes."

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

Huang Mu Jie's tone was considerate.

"It is 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."

Huang Mu Jie knew that the second group was currently having a group meeting, and their meetings usually lasted about an hour.

It was just past 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 review process to sign directly, in his opinion, had no impact.

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

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

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

Therefore, in the matter of signing, he always maintained the highest degree of caution.

After spending about ten minutes, he read the main clauses of the contract carefully and raised questions about several details on the spot to Huang Mu Jie.

Huang Mu Jie also answered them one by one.

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

But Natsume Chikage was very clear about the value of "The Devotion of Suspect X" he wrote.

Once published, its sales would definitely not be low!

Precisely because he knew this, he wouldn't sign hastily.

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 have basically finished reading the contract clauses, there are no big problems..." Natsume Chikage spoke slowly.

"That is of course."

Huang Mu Jie took the conversation immediately, 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 damage the author's interests. Teacher Natsume, you can rest assured and sign directly."

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 Huang Mu."

Huang Mu Jie 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 royalty splits, I would like to discuss it with you in detail."

Huang Mu Jie opened his eyes slightly, feeling 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," can't wait to sign, for fear of missing 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 suffer.

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 stay calm, not rush to sign, and instead take the initiative to demand negotiations on the split...

This courage and clarity are indeed not to be underestimated!

Not bad!!

Huang Mu Jie instead felt a trace of appreciation.

He liked dealing with people who have ambition and brains.

Although he hadn't read Natsume Chikage's manuscript, just based on the other party's looks that transcend 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% to 20%, which is the most common range.

And ordinary bestselling writers can reach 25% to 30%.

For top writers who have phenomenal blockbuster works, the royalty rate can even be negotiated to 50% or higher when renewing or signing new works.

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

Given Natsume Chikage's talent to pass the review at such a young age, plus his high looks and brains—the highest price Huang Mu Jie was willing to offer in his heart was the top 20% for new authors.

Of course, it was impossible for him to show his cards at the beginning.

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

Huang Mu Jie maintained a professional smile on his face and said:

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

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

Natsume Chikage was not a novice who didn't understand 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 was very clear 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 sales pitch.

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

He wanted more!

Because the real estate that was about to be auctioned at home 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 conference room door was "bang" pushed open violently from the outside!

The leader of the second editorial group, Gongcheng Heyu, brought the panting Gao Qiaochun and Xin Yuan Xiangzhi, rushing in like a whirlwind.

Gongcheng Heyu's gaze was like a knife, instantly locking onto Huang Mu Jie across the conference table, and the suppressed anger made him explode with profanity directly:

"Huang Mu Jie, I f*** your mother!!!"