Tokyo Literary Godfather

"Publish the booklet in advance, Shimada-kun, why?" Watanabe Ike frowned and asked.

Shimada took a sip of coffee and said: "This is a suggestion I gave based on professional sensitivity. The Naoki Awards will announce the results in December. Isn't "Aurora Murder 1" already shortlisted?"

"Yes, but it's still uncertain whether it will be awarded." Watanabe Ike pushed his glasses and said, "There are many powerful works in this year's Naoki Award."

"But it is certain that it will enter the finals, isn't it?" Shimada Naito said, "After entering the finals, "Aurora Murder" will enter people's field of vision again. Taking this opportunity to launch the second part again, we will get twice the result with half the effort. Effect."

Watanabe Ikezhen hesitated and said: "But there are still three chapters of "Aurora Murder" that have not been published. Even if they are published immediately after the serialization is completed, it will be two months later."

"So I suggest deleting and merging chapters." Shimada Naito said, "I have read the last three chapters and found them a bit verbose. If they are appropriately deleted and merged into one large chapter, there will be no problem. "Aurora Murder Incident 2》, we will increase the number of pages appropriately.”

Watanabe Ikezhen shook the coffee cup, thought for a moment, and nodded: "Okay, then do as you say, Mr. Shimada."

A smile appeared on Shimada's face: That's it.

After all, "White Night Walk" cannot be compared with "Aurora Murder 2". As long as the two books are published within the same time, the sales of "White Night Walk" will inevitably be affected.

Not only will the publisher's resources be tilted towards "Aurora 2", but the attention of the readership group will also be focused on Ikema Watanabe's new work.

As for "Aurora Murder 2" being influenced by "White Night"? Oh, how is this possible?

…

"Shimada, what do you mean?!"

Itagaki Kazuhiko got the news that "Aurora Murder 2" was released in advance, and he was furious and found Shimada.

"It's Itagaki-kun, why are you so angry? What's wrong?" Shimada was smoking outside. When he saw Itagaki Kazuhiko coming, he was prepared and asked unhurriedly.

"Why should the book "Aurora 2" be released in advance? Why must it be released at this time?"

Shimada puffed out his smoke disdainfully: "I am Watanabe-kun's editor. I just gave him some advice. He and the minister are the ones who really make the decision. What do you want from me?"

"You know that "White Night Journey" will be released as a single volume soon, why do you have to put the first printing dates of the two books so close?" Itagaki Kazuhiko said as restrained as possible: "Aren't you afraid of affecting the sales of "Aurora 2"? ?”

Shimada almost laughed out loud: "You don't have to worry about "Aurora 2". You should just worry more about your newcomer."

Itagaki Kazuhiko said: "Sure enough, you are deliberately targeting us. Why are you doing this?"

"I'm not targeting anyone. Any advice I give is just to do my job well and has nothing to do with anyone else."

Shimada smiled at Itagaki, "Let's just postpone the release of "White Night Journey". There are not many people in the industry who dare to face the true edge of Watanabe Ike."

After saying that, Shimada put out his cigarette on the wall, put it in his pocket and walked away.

Itagaki Kazuhiko was very angry, but faced with the deliberate targeting of people like Shimada, there was nothing he could do.

"Reschedule?"

Fujiwara Kei cut a piece of pork belly for Itagaki Kazuhiko and looked up at him.

"Yes, I'm thinking about avoiding the release of "Aurora Murder 2"... I can just do it myself."

Itagaki Kazuhiko quickly raised the plate and took the grilled pork belly from Kei Fujiwara.

In fact, Kei Fujiwara is almost a round younger than him, so it is only natural that he should be grilled, as a junior. But Fujiwara Kei is now a new author with unlimited potential, so Itagaki Kazuhiko does not dare to act like an elder in front of him.

I'm even considering whether to change my name to "Fujiwara-sensei" now.

Kei Fujiwara shook his head at this time: "If we don't avoid it, we will release it as scheduled."

Itagaki Kazuhiko sighed: "But then we will meet Watanabe Ikema face to face."

"Then let's face him head-on. What's the point of being timid?" Kei Fujiwara said with a frown.

Itagaki Kazuhiko stopped talking. After dealing with him for almost half a year, Itagaki Kazuhiko also realized that this young man had the air of a general and a fierce acting style. Rather than avoiding, I prefer to head on.

But after all, he is too young and prone to impulsiveness. As an editor, Itagaki Kazuhiko must consider more.

"Mr. Itagaki, I don't know if Shimada is targeting us. If so, I guess..." Fujiwara Keidao, "His purpose is to make us reschedule."

Itagaki Kazuhiko asked: "Where do you start talking about this?"

Fujiwara Keimichi: "White Night Walk" has just ended its serialization, and the discussion on the forum is very high. Coupled with the popularity of the Naoki Award, "White Night Walk" is definitely the most popular time now. If it is delayed, you will definitely miss the best. release period."

"Mr. Itagaki, I am not the kind of person who acts on impulse. Normally, I would suggest rescheduling, but under the current circumstances, I still insist on the original release."

Itagaki Kazuhiko looked at Fujiwara Kei, thought about it quietly, and said, "Okay, do as you say."

The ratings of "Anthropology" still maintain a stable momentum, with a time-sharing rating of about 8%. Although it is not very high, it already ranks first among late-night programs in the same period.

For this reason, the entire program team of "Anthropological Observation" has been commended by the company and the TV station, and this year's performance bonuses are very generous.

As a result, Kei Fujiwara's name spread to the ears of senior executives. At first, when some senior executives of Mizuhara Productions heard that the chief planner of "Anthropology" was just a young man who had just graduated, they were a little dissatisfied. They felt that Mizuhara Yui had let such an unfavorable person There is no consideration for mature people to hold important positions, but since the show's ratings have been rising, such voices have disappeared.

Kei Fujiwara has gained some minor fame in Taiwan. I think he is a good performer in variety shows and has quite an innovative spirit, but that's all.

The complexion on Mizuhara Yui's face has improved a lot recently. The staff of the program team have been getting used to each other, and her work is becoming more and more orderly. Her work pressure has been reduced a lot. It has been a long time since I saw her carrying a cup of coffee everywhere. gone.

Time flies by in October, "White Night Walk" is officially first printed, and not long after, "Aurora Murder 2" is also placed on the bookshelves of major libraries.

The first printing of "Aurora Murder 2" is 100,000 copies, which is a level that Kei Fujiwara drools with envy.

Posters for the two novels were posted on the bookstore’s promotional wall almost at the same time.

A new batch of books arrived at Ohno Bookstore. Ohno Nagaharu stood up, opened the cartons with a paper knife, and put the brand-new "White Night Journey" novels on the bookshelf.