I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 24 Mela's Analysis (Recommended today, one more chapter)
While waiting for the food to be served, Chloe took out the manuscript.

Meila didn't ask her for it, but discussed it with Liu Jin.

"This book is called Amelie, right?"

"Yes."

"Can you tell me how you came up with this story?"

"Actually, it's very simple... I met a girl named Emily in Paris, and this story was inspired by her name."

“It’s a fantastic piece of work, and there’s a lot of potential for film and television adaptation.”

Of course, this was originally adapted from a movie.

But it can also be seen that Mela is very professional.

"It won't be difficult to publish your work. I believe many publishing houses will agree."

"so what?"

"Your work has a commercial flavor. I'm not sure if you understand what I mean... I mean, after it's published, if it's successfully adapted, it could potentially bring in lucrative profits. But if no one's willing to adapt it, it's hard to say you'll make money based solely on sales. Besides, you're a newcomer, and a Chinese. Many publishing houses won't take you seriously, nor will they give you many resources. In France, without resources, it's hard to make a name for yourself..."

"Please continue."

“The best publishing houses in France are concentrated in Paris.”

"I know."

“For example, Hachette and Edith Edelweiss, which are the top-ranked publishing houses in France.

They are very famous and have many excellent authors under their umbrella.

In this respect, you have no advantage. Even if the book is brilliant, you can't compete with those pure French people. Not only French people, but also black people, Spanish people, and Italian people. With all due respect, in the publishing industry, Chinese people are treated the worst. Especially those big companies, they won't even look at you.

Liu Jin felt a sinking feeling in his heart.

At this time, the appetizer arrived.

Chloe put down the manuscript and began to eat.

Liu Jin also remained calm.

His salmon tartare, to be prepared more slowly.

Mela was not in a hurry to eat. When she saw Liu Jin's calm look, she showed a hint of appreciation.

This is actually a negotiation.

"In addition to these two publishing houses, you can also look for the Press Universitaires de France. Founded in 1939, it is also a very powerful publishing house in France. It publishes more than 400 works and reprints more than 200 old works every year.

They are very strong, but they value academics more.

They won't pay much attention to works with a strong commercial flavor, so they won't give you too many resources.

This has nothing to do with whether you are Chinese or not."

Meila said, taking a sip of her aperitif and then two bites of her salad.

The asparagus is split and cut, so you can use a spoon.

She took a bite and continued, "Besides, Gallimard and Midnight Publishing both focus on literary and avant-garde elements.

It's not that this novel lacks literary quality. When you focus on the topics of growth and love, it already possesses literary qualities. It's just that your story is more commercial, and I like it very much."

“Also, there is the Alban Michiel Publishing House.

They focus on fantasy and children's themes. They're very friendly to Chinese people because they push a lot of excellent fantasy and children's novels to China every year. It's not that all fantasy and children's novels are childish, it's just that they only like to push those kinds of novels. And because they're foreign works, they're very popular in China."

I know this publishing house!
There are many translated versions published in China, and there are countless partners.

But the quality of the work...

To be honest, their fantasy novels are simply garbage compared to the fantasy novels in online literature.

However, around 2000, this type of work sold very well in China.

The foreign monk is so good at chanting!

The salmon tartare arrived.

The taste was really good and Liu Jin was very satisfied.

As the main course arrived, everyone stopped talking for a while.

But it was only after they finished eating and the dessert came that Mela brought up the topic again.

"As for those small publishing houses... well, the royalties are very low, so don't expect to see great success."

"Chloe said you have connections?"

“Ever heard of Singla Publishing House?”

"Singla? You..."

"Yes, it's my family's publishing house. It's not very big, but it used to be very profitable and has a long history.

The Singara family originated in Béziers and once owned the entire area. We cultivate vineyards, produce wine, and engage in commerce. At its peak, the Singara family owned three fleets: the Singara, the Edward, and the Henry, controlling commercial shipping along the Mediterranean coast of southern France and Africa.

Is it commercial shipping or predatory shipping?
Of course, Liu Jin would not say such boring words.

Even if you blame him, what good will it bring him?
So, he picked up a puff pastry stick, stirred the ice cream, and put it in his mouth.

The soft and crispy puff pastry sticks paired with ice cream produce a very wonderful chemical reaction.

No wonder Chloe can't stop thinking about this restaurant.

“It seems to have nothing to do with the publishing house.”

"I've already said it, it was once."

Mela smiled and said, "We are a branch of the Singela family. After the end of World War II, my grandfather founded a publishing house in Toulouse. From the 50s to the 80s, we published many excellent works and once competed with those publishing houses in Paris.

In the 1990s, my grandfather gradually withdrew from the publishing industry due to Alzheimer's disease.

The publishing house had originally relied on my grandfather's vision to survive. After he faded from the scene, many writers left and joined the Parisian publishing scene. As a result, Singla Publishing House gradually declined... My father was a lawyer and well-known in Paris. He wanted my grandfather to live with him in Paris and to sell the publishing house..."

For some reason, a vague flash of inspiration suddenly appeared in Liu Jin's mind.

“Grandfather didn’t say anything.

He didn't want to say it, or maybe...

I knew he didn't want to sell the publishing house. He and my grandmother co-founded it. Oh, and I forgot to mention that my grandmother was also a writer in the 1970s, publishing several works about women. She passed away in the 1980s... This Singla Publishing House was the life's work of my grandfather and grandmother. He didn't say anything, but I knew he didn't want the publishing house to fail, let alone sell it... So, I went to Second University.

At this point, Meila showed a hint of disappointment.

“I thought I inherited my grandmother’s talent, but I’m not a writer.

I can judge whether a work is good or bad, but I can't write it. I wanted to discover some writers at the Second University, but unfortunately... the current French literary world is almost monopolized by the Paris publishing industry, and no one believes I can help them become famous.

"Meera!"

Chloe held Mayra's hand, feeling a little distressed.

"Liu, I would like to ask you to give me a chance to prove to my father that I can support Singla Publishing House.

Amélie is very good, it is commercial, artistic, and very adaptable.

Singla Publishing House isn't as well-known as the Paris publishing houses, but it has a wide network of contacts. The publishing channels my grandfather pioneered are still there, and in the author community, many writers who were helped by my grandfather are willing to help me.

I can give you 10% of the royalties and help you recommend it to the film and television industry."

Oh, oh, oh!

Liu Jin never thought that Mela, whom he met through Chloe, had such power behind her.

He was moved!
As a Chinese, he knew very well that it was not easy to make a name for himself in the French literary world.

There are too many factors involved.

As the old Chinese saying goes: You have to have one of the right time, right place and right people.

And Mela just gave him the harmony of people.

Ten percent royalties are not low.

In France, newcomers generally only get 5%, and the better ones can get 8%.

Ten percent is the royalty that only a proven writer can get.

Of course, if you’re a bit more impressive, like the author of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, you can get the maximum royalties of 20%, or even more than that…

Moreover, the publishing house has to beg for publication.

Liu Jin saw Mela's sincerity.

He remained silent and did not rush to answer.

Chloe wanted to speak, but was stopped by Mela.

It's about three minutes, and any second longer is a humiliation to the 10% royalty.

"Meira, you can read the full manuscript first. If you think it can be published, we can sit down together and talk about the pleasure of cooperation."

"Thank you!"

Meera smiled.

Her mouth is a little big, but she looks very pretty when she smiles.

It's a bit like the smile Julia Roberts showed in the last moment of the movie "Notting Hill".

……

　Well, please recommend and collect!

(End of this chapter)