Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
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Once close to 20,000 rentals, the count had now barely surpassed 2,000.
They were trying self-rescue measures like converting to a book café or renting DVDs alongside, but to him, it just looked like desperate thrashing.
"That's why so many authors are declaring they're quitting. I see plenty I feel sorry for, too."
If monthly royalties came in under 500,000 won, anyone would put down their pen.
No matter how good the writing, you couldn't survive without making a living from it.
You needed basic food, clothing, and shelter guaranteed to pursue what you wanted.
"Right. And we don't have the means to hold onto them. There are clearly so many talented authors..."
"If things keep going like this, the market will eventually necrotize."
"But the problem is we can't see any solutions. E-books have some potential, but the system isn't fully in place yet."
"What about webtoons? The webtoon scene's been heating up lately, hasn't it?"
Min A-rang cautiously offered her opinion.
Being young, she enjoyed various cultural activities, and webtoons particularly caught her eye.
They were showing noticeable growth with the spread of smartphones.
And if done right, they could link up with this side, so Min A-rang carefully shared her thoughts.
"I've considered it too, but there's one huge problem with trying webtoons."
"What is it?"
"Funding. You know a lot of publishers are cutting staff, right, A-rang?"
"Yes."
Min A-rang's face darkened.
She wasn't unaware of the publishing house's situation.
And Linus was seriously considering staff reductions too.
By outsourcing proofreading and editing, that is.
"There's definitely quality content out there. But we're critically short on people to produce it. Decent artists who can draw prefer working solo over teaming up with story writers. If they collaborate, they want to lead. Otherwise, you have to bring in less skilled artists, and that's a problem too."
"Because their skills are lacking?"
"Yeah. You have to teach them everything. But unfortunately, we can't plan long-term. We need visible results in the short term."
"Ah..."
Min A-rang nodded as if she understood.
And in doing so, she deeply felt why Jo Jin-gu said it was tough.
"We'll have to go into webtoons someday. It's the path to OSMU—One Source Multi Use. It's just realistic issues holding us back. That's why Ready Books needs to become the new market."
"You're talking about the app?"
"Yeah, it's growing steadily, but it hasn't overtaken Jeondaehyeop or Obidio yet. Still, I think by next year, it might flip the script. Right now, we have to wait three months after release to publish new titles on Ready Books because of Jeondaehyeop and Obidio, but once rentals drop below 1,000, that'll change."
"I feel like they're late to the right path. At least with rentals, authors get paid per rental, and with sales, per sale."
Min A-rang spoke as if pleased by Ready Books' emergence.
And at the same time, she held hope.
Maybe a new platform would be born, a new market opened.
"Good thing. The problem is the growth isn't that explosive."
"But some people think it'll blow up. Like they're certain."
"You're talking about Writer Woo Ji-hyun?"
Jo Jin-gu laughed, mentioning the author they were meeting today.
But his expression was quite meaningful.
He looked at Min A-rang with a subtle glint in his eyes.
"Yes, other authors want higher advances or full rights guarantees, but Writer Woo Ji-hyun asked to change the royalty split instead."
"The New Wind Machine Alliance was 7:3, right?"
"Yes. Same terms as Solar Chronicle otherwise."
"Not bad for us. Less upfront cash outlay."
Jo Jin-gu stroked his chin.
He shared Min A-rang's doubts.
Looking at Woo Ji-hyun's moves, he was acting with clear conviction.
Unlike others, like he knew something.
"And this is something I heard directly from the author, but offers have been quiet lately."
"Contract offers?"
"Yes. Even Rubin Media's stopped contacting. Future Books or Phil Media call occasionally? But mostly just check-ins."
"How do you know that?"
Jo Jin-gu asked with a mischievous expression.
But Min A-rang stood firm even then.
"I'm his editor. I have to care for not just the novels, but his mental state and health too. Plus, Writer Woo Ji-hyun is the pillar of our publishing house."
"True."
Unlike his previous work Solar Chronicle, New Wind Machine Alliance only printed about 2,000 copies, but that was still top-tier in the current market.
Of course, there were two outliers you couldn't lump in, the gap was too wide.
"But the worry is when it'll spread."
"That's my biggest concern too. I heard he's already outlining the next work after New Wind Machine Alliance?"
"Yes, it's a wuxia novel."
"Hmm. Writing only wuxia isn't great. The market's good for it now, but sticking to one genre can fix your image."
Jo Jin-gu spoke with serious concern.
From Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero to New Wind Machine Alliance, all wuxia.
And his writing speed was insanely fast.
"Oh, he said the next one will be his last pure wuxia. After that, he's thinking fantasy."
"Woo Ji-hyun's fantasy. Looking forward to it."
Jo Jin-gu's eyes lit up, his worry easing.
Switching genres now wasn't bad.
And having written himself once, he knew sticking to one genre would bore anyone eventually.
"Can he write it well?"
"A-rang might not know, but Woo Ji-hyun's debut was a modern piece. It bombed so hard even publishers don't remember. His second was pure fantasy."
"Really?"
Min A-rang's eyes widened; it was news to her.
He wrote wuxia so well, she'd thought that's all he did.
Who knew he had this secret.
Her eyes sparkled brighter.
"Yeah, but the second bombed too. Then he went to the army."
"Ah..."
"His current success is a total life reversal. That's why I respect him."
"I had no idea."
"Guys don't talk much about their past. No need to dredge up the dark stuff."
Jo Jin-gu grinned playfully as he continued.
But his word choice was a bit odd.
Like accenting certain words.
"You seem a bit off today."
"Guess it's 'cause it's a relaxed drink after so long? Not a contract-hunting meet."
"You still told me to get the stamp if it happens, President. You even brought the contract."
"Just in case?"
Jo Jin-gu grinned again.
No real intent, but he wouldn't dodge if it happened.
A contract with Woo Ji-hyun's caliber was always welcome.
Especially since diligent, skilled writers like him were rare now.
"Hmm."
Min A-rang let out a chuckle at Jo Jin-gu skimming the contract again despite no intent, and turned her gaze to the café window.
There, a couple walked by gazing at each other with eyes full of affection.
Honey practically dripped from their looks.
'Come to think of it, I haven't dated in forever.'
Min A-rang wiggled her fingers briefly.
Counting her single streak.
Then she jolted at over a year.
"Why the sudden jump?"
"Oh, nothing."
She shook her head at startled Jo Jin-gu and looked outside again.
She pondered seriously why she'd gone so long without dating.
'Too focused on work?'
She hadn't stopped playing out—just dating.
Hongdae, Gangnam Station, Itaewon, Konkuk Uni area—she roamed Seoul with friends, saying it was small.
She'd gotten hit on plenty street-hunting too.
Never accepted a single pickup or join-table, though.
"Hmm."
Then, one person popped into her mind.
No clue why, but a guy not her age, not smiling—cool-faced to the max—filled her head.
"The only way to catch a dragon is when it's a latent dragon before ascension."
"Isn't that from a wuxia novel? Why bring it up now?"
"Oh, just popped into my head. I do work hard."
"You do. Impressively for a newbie. More than expected?"
Jo Jin-gu teased.
But Min A-rang didn't flinch.
"I'm in my second year as an editor now."
"Sorry, I got a bit delayed."
"Oh, Writer!"
As Min A-rang lifted her chin proudly, Woo Ji-hyun approached from behind.
Despite the lingering cold, he must've run—sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Bus hit traffic at the outer loop entrance accident. Took time detouring via Songnae Station."
"No worries. Even if late, it's just ten minutes. And chatting with A-rang, I lost track of time. Haha."
Jo Jin-gu deftly lightened the mood so Woo Ji-hyun wouldn't feel bad.
But Min A-rang, who'd greeted warmly, tilted her head.
Her eyes fixed on Woo Ji-hyun's mouth.
"Writer, you took out your retainer?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Yeah?"
Spotting the ghost-like removal of the retainer, Woo Ji-hyun looked flustered.
But the most shocked was Jo Jin-gu.
At how casually Woo Ji-hyun treated Min A-rang.
So Jo Jin-gu blinked wide-eyed, glancing between them.
"Uh, well, you see..."
"We agreed to be casual off-duty. Mutual decision."
"Mutual? Haha!"
Jo Jin-gu alternated glances at the pair with suspicious eyes, then burst into honest laughter.
Woo Ji-hyun's word choice revealed one fact.
"Well, precisely, it was half-forced."
"Oppa ended up agreeing, didn't he?"
"There was some coercive vibe."
"What nonsense!"
Min A-rang shrieked like a banshee.
She'd never done that.
"You two look great together, though?"