Writing Web Novels In America-Chapter 64: Additional Issuance

The next morning.

New York, Flushing area.

Wang Jian sat in the office, sipping coffee with the manager in charge of marketing for EA’s game "Arcane Throne," chatting away.

One had to admit, EA was certainly flush with cash.

It was only during the conversation that Wang Jian learned of EA’s whole set of subsequent promotional plans for the "Arcane Throne" game.

Game exhibitions, celebrity endorsements, and the like.

As for the comic version of "Arcane Throne," it might be a big deal for Dark Horse Comics.

But for EA, it was just a casual move.

If it was useful, great; if not, no big deal.

The parent company’s attitude directly influenced the marketing manager’s demeanor.

He even told Wang Jian that the American comic market has always been unfriendly to new series.

Even the first edition sales of comics like "Spiderman" and "Wonder Woman" were far from ideal.

The first edition of "Arcane Throne" comics was just meant to preheat for future sequels, its sales issues were insignificant.

Hearing this, Wang Jian remained completely unfazed inside.

It didn’t matter to him that you were spending real money.

He was just hitching a free ride, testing the comic market waters, so he cared even less.

It would be nice to make a profit, but no loss meant no worries.

Just as Wang Jian pretended to be familiar, chatting idly about New York’s xx dance clubs.

Suddenly, the office door burst open.

An editor strode in.

"Sir, this is a fax from Dark Horse Comics," said the editor. "It’s about the first edition comic sales."

Wang Jian casually took it, ready to have a look.

Little did he know, the marketing manager was in the middle of an excited chat.

He stood up voluntarily, poured Wang Jian a cup of coffee, "You have no idea. That Shanni can pick up 25 cents with just one foot."

"25 cents? How?" Wang Jian’s brain didn’t quite catch up at the moment.

"Heh heh, how do you think?" the marketing manager said with a lewd laugh.

Okay...

A moment later, Wang Jian realized.

He thought he wasn’t wealthy enough because he wasn’t perverted enough!

Taking the coffee, he carelessly glanced at the data in his hand.

The comic version of "Arcane Throne" ranked second in sales volume.

Behind "Batman Forever" and ahead of "X-Men."

And it had reached the first place in sales numbers?

Wang Jian’s spirits instantly soared.

He gestured to the EA marketing manager.

Once the other man calmed down, showing a look of surprise, Wang Jian began to carefully examine the data analysis report.

A total of 45,000 copies sold.

And the reason the remaining 5,000 copies weren’t completely sold was due to poor distribution by dealers in various places.

Many comic book stores were still rushing to stock up.

This...

Was the American comic market that easy to break into?

As Wang Jian continued to read, he realized something.

According to a sample survey, about 40% of comic buyers were novel enthusiasts.

They were simply buying the comics as fans.

Likewise, "Batman Forever," which ranked first in sales, also had a large proportion of movie fans among its buyers.

"X-Men," on the other hand, was worse off, as its fan base was primarily comic enthusiasts.

Under the impact of the low-price strategy of "Arcane Throne," it was the most affected.

So, was the comic edition of "Arcane Throne" a success?

Wang Jian handed the data report to the EA marketing manager.

He just watched as the other’s expression changed from indifferent, to bewildered, to shocked.

After a moment, the marketing manager stood up with a serious look and said, "I need to make a call to the company."

"Oh," Wang Jian pointed towards the door, "Turn right outside, there’s a conference room."

After the marketing manager left, Wang Jian took out another data report that he hadn’t shown to the other party.

He gestured to the editor to stand outside the door and remind them when the EA people returned.

The editor nodded understandingly.

Then, Wang Jian lowered his head to review the report.

The website’s paid user base, in addition to the steady increase, experienced a sudden spike the day before.

Wang Jian picked up the comic sales report and compared it to the website data report.

Aside from the number of novel fans who bought it, was there a proportional relationship between the growth in paid users and the number of comic purchases?

He opened his computer and went into the comment section of "Arcane Throne."

Many comments read: Just finished the comic and came here, the book is good too?

Then, others commented: It’s just that the payment process is too troublesome.

Wang Jian’s hand subconsciously clicked the mouse. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

The comic publication could form a positive linkage with the growth of the novel’s paid users.

Then shouldn’t he change his attitude towards comic publishing?

He shouldn’t just be in it for a quick profit but rather dig deeper?

While Wang Jian was pondering, the editor’s voice suddenly arose.

"You’re back, shall I prepare some coffee for you?"

Wang Jian cleared his throat and said, "Please come in."

Then the editor opened the door, letting the marketing manager enter.

The marketing manager, having changed his earlier lazy demeanor to one of brisk efficiency, said, "The company wants to increase comic distribution."

"In addition to the profits from the comics themselves, the company will also provide another 100,000 US Dollars for comic grants."

"And our demands are simple. We want the ’Arcane Throne’ to maintain its popularity until the 15th of this month."

"During this period, EA will also launch various promotional activities for the ’Arcane Throne’ game."

"We’re going to officially announce EA’s RPG game ’Arcane Throne’ at the Diablo-themed game exhibition."

Wang Jian listened and simply nodded lightly.

You put in more money, you call the shots.

No matter how it’s distributed, he owned 45% of the royalty share.

As long as it sold, he would earn.

And if it didn’t sell, all he could tell EA was, "Sorry."

Wang Jian asked, "When will the 100,000 US Dollars arrive?"

The marketing manager looked at his watch, counted, and then smiled, "It’s already in the account."

Wang Jian told the editor, "Have Tom send a supplemental contract to Dark Horse Comics."

"And then transfer this 100,000 Dollars over."

"Understood," the editor took his leave.

Wang Jian stood up, shook hands with the EA representative.

Then, both said in unison: "Pleasant cooperation."

At that moment, Bezos, accompanied by his assistant, slowly walked out of the Candlewick Press building.

"So, we’ve got the exclusive selling rights to some books from these publishers?"

The assistant quickly replied, "It seems so."

"But why?" Bezos sat in the car, stroking his bald head, muttering to himself.

"I’ll investigate immediately when we get back," said the assistant.

Bezos said no more, but he felt strangely like things shouldn’t have developed this way.

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