Chapter 74
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: The Distribution Deal
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"I'm Gong Myeong-sim."
As I watched the man who had introduced himself as the headquarters manager, I rolled my neck side to side. The drastic temperature difference between indoors and out seemed to be messing with my blood circulation.
"Shall I prepare something warm for you?"
"Thank you."
Gong Headquarters Manager spoke to me with a friendly, good-natured smile.
"I've been dying to meet you. I've kept up with your dramas, novels, and webtoons. The themes and setups that lead the market are truly impressive."
"You're too kind."
With our meeting time limited, we got straight to the point.
"I want to distribute my old works."
"For us, it's always good if we can generate sales in as many places as possible. But as you know, the platform business isn't that simple."
Rice bowl fights happen everywhere. Especially in the web novel market, which wasn't that big, any success for a new platform meant lost revenue for the established players.
"But if you tie yourself to us, we're willing to take that risk, haha!"
As expected. People think alike.
"We haven't announced it publicly yet, but we're about to receive major investment. If you join us, we can offer the best terms possible."
This was an era where things other than money mattered more.
"Are you thinking webtoons or adaptations?"
"Of course. Our investor is a telecom company, so the outlook is excellent. Marketing will be solid too."
He glanced to the side, and the female team leader picked up.
"How about we proceed with a 500 million won advance and confirmed webtoon production?"
"What about the split?"
"90 to 10. You know that's generous, right?"
If I took 90%, the publisher wouldn't make much. But they were offering this because my works could promote their company.
'We have an author like this.' It would help attract new talent.
I glanced at Ye-jin, and she nodded. It was a good deal.
Team Leader Oh Ga-eul continued.
"We know you're busy, so we can wait up to two years. Of course, the advance would go in right away."
I read something else in her eyes.
'No reason to beg like this unless... because of the investor?'
To secure good investment, they'd need a famous author. The original creator of a drama hitting 30% ratings would be a perfect signboard.
'I could ask for more.'
So I did.
"How many works can you handle?"
"We also do translations. Including overseas titles, it's around 800."
Translations wouldn't be hits unless they were Harry Potter level. Not until ten years from now, at least—not in my timeline.
"Domestic works only."
"Then just over 600."
It was impressive for one publisher to hold that many. No wonder they were one of the big three.
"All of them distributed?"
The headquarters manager shrugged at my question.
"100 or 600, it's the same to us. Just takes time and manpower."
They'd need author consents and miscellaneous tasks, which would take about a month.
600 works. Even if readers finished one a day, that's two years' worth. Our platform could solidify by then, and in two years, we'd have plenty of Academy originals too.
"Sounds good."
I had another stop that afternoon, but this deal was too good to even think twice.
"Let's do it."
His face lit up.
"Team Leader Oh will handle the details."
We had our own point person. Ye-jin smiled at Team Leader Oh.
"Looking forward to working with you."
There were still contract clauses and legal tweaks ahead, but saving the Talent Market platform came first. We needed to stockpile works fast.
"Lunch plans?"
I could join them, but lunch was already set. I smiled at the headquarters manager.
"Treat me once the contract's done."
"Nonsense! I should be the one hosting, haha! We'll let you go early since you're busy."
He offered a handshake and left promptly. Then Team Leader Oh Ga-eul spoke up.
"Got a moment?"
"Sure."
She looked back and forth between me and Ye-jin.
"Have you thought about your next work?"
"Not yet."
"No rush. Just deliver the manuscript sometime next year."
That might work for average authors, but not me. Better to wrap contracts quickly and cleanly.
"I can start soon."
"Pardon? You're serializing The Strongest Idol Ever and Mount Jiri Elf, right? Won't those take a while to finish?"
True, but The Strongest Idol Ever was almost done with season 1. Serialization would continue, but I'd have some daily breathing room.
It was just a matter of deciding what to write. Trading one work for 600 others was unbeatable business.
'Plus a 500 million advance.'
Money to burn, interest-free lump sum with endless uses. And I was the guy who could turn 500 million into 5 billion minimum.
'Means they've calculated my sales.'
The next one had to hit at least that hard to save face.
"I can start this month."
"Wow... You're amazing! Prolific and every hit! "
Hard-earned skill from staking my life on it.
She turned to Ye-jin.
"The Academy's still going, huh."
"Yeah, I'm running it."
"How's it been? Do they improve when you teach?"
She seemed very interested in the Academy. Anyone in the industry would be watching closely.
If we succeeded? Copycats would sprout like mushrooms.
Competition would intensify, and academies would stand out based on appeal.
"Teaching doesn't magically boost skill."
"Fair enough."
"But it motivates them for sure. They end up working harder without realizing it."
"Ah, forcing lazy writers to run!"
"Pretty much."
The two laughed.
"I was shocked someone actually built what we'd all just dreamed of. I want to sign up too."
"Always welcome."
As they chatted warmly, the door opened. Thinking it was the headquarters manager, I turned—but it was a stranger.
He handed documents to Team Leader Oh Ga-eul.
"From Headquarters Manager."
"Thanks."
Not wanting to intrude, he turned and headed out quickly. Our eyes met as he did.
Snap.
I turned to Team Leader Oh Ga-eul as he bowed his head and left.
"Fast worker. Contract already?"
"Hohoho! Quick and decisive! Still warm, probably."
The ink on the contract she pulled from the envelope looked fresh.
"This is the author agreement. Old works distribution needs a separate one. Want to check?"
She offered it, and Ye-jin pulled it toward herself. I smiled as Ye-jin began scrutinizing it meticulously.
Meanwhile, I asked Team Leader Oh Ga-eul,
"Do you have a webtoon team?"
"No, we'd outsource."
"Quality guaranteed?"
"For your work, we'll get the top artists."
Of course—to recoup that 500 million advance. If my novel flopped, they'd eat the loss.
She asked,
"Genre in mind?"
"For webtoons, it needs a full arc viewable upfront, so modern or historical drama."
Fantasy was tough for film or drama.
"Pro through and through."
She gave a thumbs up.
Then Ye-jin slipped the contract back into the envelope.
"Mind if we review and get back?"
"Not at all! Review twice if you want!"
Ye-jin smiled at the joke and asked,
"Can we see the contract for the 600 works by next week?"
"I'll pull all-nighters starting today."
"Oh no, all on you?"
"Normally team leaders split this, but our previous one stepped away for personal reasons."
Seeing her troubled expression, we figured it was time to go.
I love any burger. Back in my poor childhood, I'd devour anything—pork cutlets, kimbap—but burgers felt extra special since burger joints were rare in the countryside.
We settled into Burger King, ordered generously, and sat down.
It was near the publisher, so no need to drive. This is why good jobs matter. Lunch here anytime.
"We didn't jump the gun on that contract, right?"
Ye-jin asked, french fry in hand.
"Terms like that? No brainer."
"Cancel the afternoon meeting then?"
"Nah, we go."
"They'll want a work contract too."
"We can do it."
"Huh?"
"It's fine. Two years to write it."
If the afternoon publisher offered 500+ works for distribution, I'd take it without hesitation. Our platform would have over 1,000 old works then.
"They'll pay too."
"President's the one struggling."
"Struggling? Writing's the easiest. Jin-seong's the one running around outside."
"Sigh."
Ye-jin sighed, said she was heading to the bathroom, and stood.
I munched my burger and scanned the place. Early lunch hour, so not crowded.
'Next work, huh.'
I hadn't planned beyond finishing Mount Jiri Elf, but with the contract in hand, I felt the itch.
Not anxiety, though. What could be more exciting than plotting a new story?
'Modern's good, but I've stuck to similar genres.'
Even with fantasy, idols and elves were reality-based.
'Historical drama?'
This needed serious thought. 'Alternate history' as a genre didn't even exist yet. From what I knew, it wouldn't for a few more years.
'Early, but if I start it, it'll probably take off.'
This fusion style would become a beloved cliché later.
Now, how to kick it off.
And since it's alternate history, picking the right era was key.
'For webtoons and dramas, focus on characters over fantasy powers. Add romance too.'
Male-oriented but accessible to women, history-based but easy without deep knowledge.
'Coming together.'
Fuzzy images in my head solidified.
Alternate history meant the protagonist reshaping it. Save invaded Joseon and build an empire, or drop into the Imjin War and win.
From where to where? What scale?
'Keep it simple.'
I sipped cola for a breather when someone tapped my shoulder from behind.
"Author?"
This guy...