Chapter 00257: The Inaugural Issue
# The Inaugural Issue
Chapter 257
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 257: The Inaugural Issue
Gong Xue had gone to Guangdong.
Guangdong had always maintained close ties with Hong Kong, and its culture of deity worship was particularly strong, especially in the Chaoshan region, making it a perfect backdrop for *Mom, Love Me Again*.
The film crew planned to shoot scenes all over—Guangzhou, Chaoshan—they would cover it all.
As the vanguard of China's reform and opening-up, Guangdong exuded an air of mystery that piqued the curiosity of those who had never been there.
Aside from the bittersweet feelings of parting, Gong Xue was actually quite happy to travel far—after all, it was a chance to sightsee!
Front courtyard.
Chen Qi had arranged three office rooms.
With so few people at the moment, only one was in use, the second served as a meeting room, and the third remained empty.
Right now, in the meeting room, the first all-staff meeting of *World Fantasy Tales* magazine was underway.
Six people were expected to attend, and all six were present—a perfect 100% attendance rate!
There were also two external attendees: Chen Jianjun and Yu Xiuli.
Each person held a sample copy of the magazine in their hands.
Like *Story Collection*, it was a 32-page edition, with color covers and back covers.
Dai Hanhan had designed a cover featuring the protagonist of *Tai Chi*, while the interior was printed in black and white.
The back cover listed the price: 0.25 yuan—two mao and five fen.
The total page count was exactly 100.
The contents included:
- A foreword jointly drafted by Chen Qi and Liang Xiaosheng
- A serialized long-form novel, *Five Phoenixes Facing the Sun Blade*
- A medium-length story, *Tai Chi*
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and photos from *Tai Chi*
- Two Western sci-fi stories: *The Puppet Masters* and *I, Robot*
- A classic literature appreciation: *Journey to the Center of the Earth* (serialized)
- An adult fairy tale by Zheng Yuanjie
- Plus jokes, popular science tidbits, and more
Domestically, the focus was on martial arts; internationally, it leaned toward sci-fi, with even a touch of film and entertainment elements.
At this fledgling stage, it had to be a mixed bag—readers weren’t picky yet.
Refinements could come later as the magazine developed.
Chen Qi first gave a casual speech, then said, "To ensure our inaugural issue is a success, we’ve specially invited two seasoned veterans to give us a lecture today. Let’s give a round of applause for Comrade Yu Xiuli!"
*Clap clap clap!*
Yu Xiuli rolled her eyes.
"I’m in charge of sales at Xinhua Bookstore. I can say with confidence that while serious literary magazines are still mainstream, popular literature is on the rise. The most popular one right now is *Story Collection*."Various regions have also started launching their own popular magazines, like *Martial Arts* in Guangdong and *Legends Ancient and Modern* in Hubei.
"The domestic market is vast—it’s a great time to enter. Your content is rich and interesting, very appealing to readers, so no worries there. But I think you’ve included too much Western fiction. Readers with lower education levels might not enjoy it. You could add a small survey, asking readers which story they liked best, and adjust accordingly in the next issue."
"Write that down! Write that down!" Chen Qi urged.
"Got it! Got it!"
Liang Xiaosheng personally took notes.
Dai Hanhan piled on the flattery: "Listening to your sage advice is like being doused with enlightenment. We will study hard, spread the wisdom, and pass it down through generations."
Chen Qi chuckled.
"In that case, why don’t we have readers mail back the survey forms? We could hold a small raffle—pick ten winners and give them gifts, or maybe a free six-month subscription. That’s only three issues, so no big loss."
"That’s a great idea! Reader engagement is important!"
Liang Xiaosheng scribbled another note.
"Alright, alright. Next, let’s hear from Comrade Chen Jianjun. He’s a veteran in the business side of Xinhua Bookstore—experienced, weathering wind and rain every day, too busy for family, working tirelessly. A true role model for all of us."
*Clap clap clap!*
Chen Jianjun cleared his throat and spoke expressionlessly.
"Let me explain the process."When a new magazine launches, it’s usually first distributed through bookstores.
You’ll need to contact bookstore sales reps and submit promotional materials—basically, a pitch about how great your magazine is and what it offers.
"The sales reps will review it and place orders based on their judgment."Xinhua Bookstore’s wholesale prices vary depending on the publisher and the book.
Higher-priced items get better discounts; cheaper ones get lower ones, usually between 30% to 70% off.
"Yours is priced at two mao five fen—average. Expect around 50% off."Once you’ve built a reader base, you can switch to postal distribution.
Of course, your inaugural issue should already include subscription methods and mailing addresses.""So the promotional write-up is crucial?"Liang Xiaosheng asked."Exactly.
I’ll teach you how to draft it, then hand it all over to me.
I’ll contact the sales reps.
I’ve been in this business for 20 years—can’t speak for other regions, but I know everyone in North China."*Hiss—* The staff collectively inhaled a breath of social wisdom. These two veterans were really looking out for the youngsters! Just look at how well they treated the editor-in-chief—like he was their own flesh and blood!"If sales go well, can we negotiate better terms later?"Liang Xiaosheng asked."Absolutely!""How many copies sold would count as a decent debut for the inaugural issue?"another editor asked."Magazines sell well these days—hitting tens of thousands is easy.
But expectations should be lower for a first issue.
Selling 70,000 to 80,000 would be excellent, since you need time to build a readership.""Can we advertise? Like, promote it in newspapers?"Liang Xiaosheng asked."Sure, if you’ve got the connections.""I do! I know people!"Chen Qi raised his hand. Liang Xiaosheng pressed on,"What about running ads in our magazine for others? Is that against regulations?""No clear rules on that.
But since newspapers have already started running ads, if you can secure sponsors, you might as well try.""I do! I know people!"Chen Qi raised his hand again."Quiet! If you’re not listening, get out!"Yu Xiuli snapped."Oh..."Chen Qi shrank back and shut up. Yu Xiuli and Chen Jianjun patiently answered every question. Everyone was a novice, and their guidance made everything suddenly clear. The inaugural issue was set for release in January next year—with November just starting, there was still plenty of time. Chen Jianjun took charge without hesitation, immediately discussing with Liang Xiaosheng how to draft the promotional materials. Yu Xiuli, having nothing else to do for now, stepped out first. Chen Qi followed, pushing his bicycle."Yu—""What?""Mom!"He grinned."You two were so impressive just now.
Wow, the way you veterans had them all in awe—look at them, thirsting for knowledge like that.""Enough flattery.
Take me back—I’ve got work to do.""Right away, ma’am!"Chen Qi dusted off the bicycle seat and pedaled off with his mother toward Dashilan. Along the way, he deliberately passed by the Qianmen Gate Tower, shouting at the top of his lungs:"Comrade Zhanying! Stand right there—don’t move! I’ll be back soon to discuss a massive deal for tens of thousands of bowls of tea!""What the hell just went by?"Huang Zhanying, busy with work, faintly heard someone call her name and turned to her companions in confusion."Couldn’t see clearly.
Sounded like someone shouting.""Shouting what?""No idea.
Just yelling at you.""At *me*?"Huang Zhanying’s eyes widened as she planted her hands on her hips."Ask anyone in Beijing—who doesn’t know me, Director Huang of Qianmen? Some damn hooligan dares catcall me in the street? If he shows his face again, I’ll end him!"
(That’s all…
Every household’s stockpiling grain—all the shops in the neighborhood are out of rice! I had to buy two packs of noodles instead.)
(End of chapter.)