novelslam Chapter 59 [Star River Cup] Science Fiction Writing Contest
Chapter 59 [Star River Cup] Science Fiction Writing Contest
In 1979, he suddenly became a literary giant with millions in wealth.
The money was earned from abroad through genuine skill.
But Yu Zhen knew very well that the best option for such a large sum of money was to spend it openly and legitimately as soon as possible.
The worst choice is to keep your money in the bank.
Then we'll do some so-called low-key things, we'll hold back our money and not spend it, and we'll create conditions to endure hardship even if there's no hardship to be had...
They actually did it!
That would make him seem utterly stupid, not to mention...
This indirectly made things even worse for many newcomers who were keeping a close eye on the situation.
The Xinghan Cup Science Fiction Literature Award Fund was established.
A national science fiction writing competition will be held.
Spending money openly and honestly on this matter yields multiple benefits.
As I said before, the historical context determines the code of conduct.
If it weren't 1979, if the time were a year or two later...
He'll definitely use this money to start his own cultural company, his own science fiction magazine, and seriously enter the cultural industry...
However, in the current context, using the collective name of a Shanghai-based literary and art publishing house to organize such a science fiction competition undoubtedly becomes the best protective shell to enhance one's image.
President Huang could not hide his excitement. After confirming his determination again and again, he immediately took action.
Upon hearing this news, everyone in the company gave a thumbs up, praising Writer Yu as an idealist and a role model for us writers.
Zhang Fushi soon received a report from President Huang.
Upon hearing the report, Vice-Director Zhang was full of praise, exclaiming that such an operation was absolutely brilliant. He said that the great writer Yu's move had once again brought glory to the literary and artistic circles of Shanghai, and that Shanghai had once again taken the lead in the new era of reform and opening up.
Moreover, the most ingenious aspect of Yu Zhen's move was that it subtly resolved the awkward and uncomfortable question that had caused all parties to feel: how should one spend money after suddenly becoming rich?
"Great, great, great! Writer Yu's idea is simply fantastic!"
Comrade Gongliang, your organization must take even better care of and cherish Comrade Yu Zhen from now on!
"Zhang Shizhang, rest assured, Comrade Yu Zhen will absolutely not suffer the slightest injustice. Anyone who dares to gossip or make trouble behind our backs will not be tolerated by our entire organization. We will make those clowns regret it..."
"Very good, Comrade Gongliang. Then you should hold an internal meeting as soon as possible, come up with a complete plan, and then immediately bring the plan to the city to find me."
I will immediately contact the relevant leaders to exchange information and give the higher-ups a heads-up, and to get their opinions or suggestions.
Okay, let's agree on a time... tomorrow afternoon, after 2 pm. Bring your proposal and come directly to my office then...
"Okay, Zhang Shizhang, please rest assured, we will hold a meeting immediately to discuss the plan!"
"Yes, Comrade Gongliang, also, as you should know, Comrade Yu Zhen has been busy negotiating with American publishers lately and hasn't had a proper rest..."
Therefore, you should handle the matter of discussing the plan yourselves, and try not to waste Comrade Yu Zhen's energy on it any further.
Comrade Yu Zhen, after all, still has more important creative tasks to complete.
Over the next two years, I need to submit at least 1.5 million words to US publishers.
Such an exaggerated and frightening amount of creative output is terrifying to even think about.
Therefore, in the future, whatever matters concerning the organization, please try not to bother Comrade Yu Zhen unnecessarily.
"Understood, understood, understood... Zhang Shizhang, I will clearly convey the committee's opinion to all comrades in the company..."
a few days later.
Time flies, and it's already late July.
On this day, Shanghai media outlets launched a massive publicity campaign for the first National Science Fiction Literature Competition, the "Xinghan Cup".
The call for submissions in the newspaper was written with great seriousness and was very inspiring.
Of course, the most enticing aspect is undoubtedly the prize structure of the essay contest, with the prize money being the highest since the founding of the People's Republic of China.
The Xinghan Cup National Science Fiction Writing Competition will award one Grand Prize of 100,000 RMB.
Yes, you read that right, the grand prize is 100,000 yuan.
Given the current economic level, the wealth that 99% of the population in China would struggle to earn in a lifetime could be earned by creating a single work of science fiction.
This news caused an uproar among young literary enthusiasts across the country.
Moreover, apart from the grand prize of 100,000 yuan, the other prizes also offer substantial cash rewards.
Three first-prize winners will each receive a prize of 30,000 yuan.
Ten second-prize winners will each receive a prize of 10,000 yuan.
20 third prize winners will each receive a prize of 5 yuan.
300 finalists will each receive a prize of 1 yuan.
The registration period for the competition is one year, and submissions can be made starting today.
Specific schedule arrangements:
自1979年8月1日开始，至1980年7月31日前截止。
Each three-month period constitutes a season, which is divided into four sub-seasons. In the first three seasons, one first prize, three second prizes, six third prizes, and 100 shortlisted prizes will be awarded in each period.
In the fourth season, readers nationwide will vote to determine the final grand prize.
All shortlisted entries will automatically be eligible for publication in three journals: Harvest, Story Club, and Shanghai Literature.
As for what standards to use to define the journal platform on which the submitted works are published.
It goes without saying that those with the highest potential to win will be published in Harvest first, those in the next tier will be published in Story Club, and those who are only qualified to be shortlisted will only be published in Shanghai Literature.
In addition, Shanghai Literature and Art Publishing House will be responsible for recommending the best entries to overseas partner publishers.
Once a work is selected and accepted by an overseas publisher, it may also have the opportunity to be published and distributed overseas.
All overseas royalties received will belong to the author.
One stone stirs up a thousand waves.
The "Xinghan Cup" National Science Fiction Literature Competition quickly became the hottest news across the country.
The wisdom of life summarized by our ancestors.
As the saying goes, a generous reward will surely attract brave men.
Although this phrase sounds a bit odd in this context, it conveys roughly the same idea.
Stimulated by the incredible prize of 100,000 yuan for the grand prize, and under the powerful psychological suggestion of the 1,000 yuan entry prize for 300 shortlisted entries.
Young writers across the country have quickly shifted their creative focus to the field of science fiction.
As for whether his own works can one day obtain overseas publishing and distribution qualifications, and whether he can attract five top North American publishers to flock to Shanghai to bid for the copyright like the great writer Yu.
If that day ever comes...
Who would turn away such immense fame and fortune!
In the domestic literary scene, the wave of writing that was originally so popular and heavy with the spirit of the "scar literature" and the trend of reflection, where people would create conditions to endure hardship even if they didn't have to, and where writing literature meant going to extremes to recall the bitterness of the past and appreciate the sweetness of the present, was directly cut in half by this even bigger trend.
This has had a more direct impact on literary journals and institutions in other provinces, where the number of submissions from authors has plummeted dramatically.
The most representative example is the editorial department of "People's Literature," a top-tier literary journal in China, where the workload suddenly decreased by 30%.
Normally, once an editor starts work, they wish they could stretch one day into two to create a busy and intense work atmosphere.
Suddenly, everyone found themselves with plenty of leisure time to read books and newspapers and enjoy a cup of tea for most of the day.
This situation has caused even greater anxiety among people like editor Liu Xinwu.
A while ago, the publishing house took the initiative to publish 25 story review articles in a special issue of "Story Club". The intention was to create a storm of discussion both inside and outside the publishing circle, so as to demonstrate the publishing house's absolute leading position in the domestic periodical industry.
Just when things were starting to look up, our Shanghai counterparts, acting arrogantly and unreasonably, suddenly threw out this ridiculous "Xinghan Cup" National Science Fiction Writing Competition.
The attention of young literary enthusiasts across the country has been focused on the essay competition.
Everyone flocked to create science fiction literature.
Under this strong, unhealthy trend, things are going wild and chaotic.
Good heavens, who can even remember what was published in the latest issue of People's Literature!