Chapter 3: Chapter 3 (1/2)
Juho looked back to the day his hand hurt from writing for an extended period of time, particularly, to all of his failures. Something had to be done to prevent them from repeating themselves, even if it meant him being selfish.
Immediately, Juho called his editor.
”I have something to tell you. Are you busy?”
”... Is it bad news?”
”It depends… It's nothing serious. I just wanted to ask you a favor.”
”What's the favor?”
Juho camly explained his situation.
”I honestly don't really understand what's happening. I personally don't think that my book is all that great. I can't see it that way. I'm still a student, and the amount of attention I'm getting is quite overwhelming.”
”Hm,” the editor moaned faintly.
”I'm not sure about your views about your own work, but I do agree that all of this can be overwhelming. Most people who received a great deal of attention while young live unfortunate lives. Half of autobiographies out there are about failure.”
His words p.r.i.c.ked Juho's conscience, but he carried on, ”So, if possible, I wanted to shy away from interviews. I don't want my face to be known. I want a quiet school life.”
He had gone straight to the point without beating around the bush. There was a long pause. Juho was aware how powerful that could be as a means of promotion, but there was no way he wanted to live through that tiresome life again. There were even some authors who chose to remain anonymous. It was more than possible. The publis.h.i.+ng company would need some explanation, but that would do.
He waited patiently, and the editor, concerned, let out another sigh and continued, ”I'm an editor, and selling books is part of my job.”
”Of course.”
”It's also my job to consider the author's stance. I understand. It doesn't seem like it's a matter I can talk you out of.”
”Thank you.”
”You didn't put up a picture on your profile and you've been using an alias, so everything should be fine.”
”OK.”
”You've never made an official appearance at an event, so it wouldn't be impossible if want to stay hidden. It wouldn't be a bad idea to add a little mysticism to our strategy. Like you said, you are a student after all,” the editor thought out loud. Then, he continues playfully, ”You know, you don't look half bad. I'm sure the promotional team has been eyeing you for their promo video. That's a shame. Well, the book has been doing well even without promotion, so there shouldn't be any issues. I haven't been home in days thanks to you.”
”Are you that busy?”
”Don't even get me started,” he sighed.
”There's a ma.s.sive number of incoming orders from bookstores. The press called too. Shoot, I guess this means no signing events either. It came up at the meeting.”
”I don't even have a signature.”
”Well, you're a big shot now, so you should come up with one. I'll call you with any updates.”
With those words, the editor hung up his phone. The reason for not putting up a profile picture was simple. It was because Juho wasn't particularly fond of his pictures. He did consider taking a new picture at one point, but he found out there were many authors who intentionally skipped the profile picture, so he ended up simply writing an introduction. Who would've thought that would've been such a good move? It really was impossible to predict what followed after a choice.
As Juho daydreamed, Seo Kw.a.n.g asked impatiently, ”Hey, are you listening to me? How great of a book is this!?”
”I heard you, so enough of that.”
”If you're longing to read it, I intend on lending you my practical uses copy.”
”I respectfully decline.”
As Juho and Seo Kw.a.n.g argued, other students began to break out of their sh.e.l.ls. Some were making quick, short conversations, while others approached Juho and Seo Kw.a.n.g. A book was an easy topic to get plugged into.
”I know that book too!”
”Oh, did you read it?” Seo Kw.a.n.g responded welcomely.
”It's the first book I've read from cover to cover.”
Soon, others surrounding the two chimed in. They had been quietly listening to the conversation between Juho and Seo Kw.a.n.g.
”My parents were nagging me so much, asking what I've been doing with my life when this guy's been writing a book.”
”I was leveling up my character and helping out my friend with his. Doesn't that count as volunteer work?”
”Hey, help me out too!”
”Who do you play?”
It didn't take long for the subject to change. Juho was relieved that the attention wasn't on him. Why hadn't he appreciated that before?
Unhappy about the new subject, Seo Kw.a.n.g added, ”They should read if they have time for video games.”
”You sound like my mom.”
”You're kind of geeky. You must be smart.”
”No. I found out reading and grades are two separate things.”
Seo Kw.a.n.g began striking conversations with other students. He had to be a natural. There was not a bit of shyness in him. Seeing Juho sitting quietly, he tapped Juho and said, ”See? These kids have no interest in reading, and they're all here with 'Trace of a Bird.' This book has an incredible influence.”
Seo Kw.a.n.g had to be trying to get Juho to read the book. There probably weren't that many students who weren't repulsed by books. The number of people reading had been on a steady decline at that age. It was not easy to run into a fellow literature aficionado.
Juho followed Seo Kw.a.n.g's finger pointing to the background of the book cover. A bird in a white background. The book didn't have the flas.h.i.+est cover, yet it found its way into the hands of those boys and girls. It was unusual, and students were reading the book of their own volition. It was not like it was p.o.r.n either.
The student who was talking about video games earlier said, ”I admit that it was a good read. I wanted to stay out of trouble with my mom, so I pretended to read it, but I actually finished it before I knew it.”
”Don't you think it's unfair the author is our age though? He must've made a lot of money. I'm jealous.”
”I wasted all that money, so you don't have to be jealous,” Juho muttered silently and picked up Seo Kw.a.n.g's book. ”Seems like it's popular.”
”A book like this is bound to be a hit.”
Ignoring Seo Kw.a.n.g urging him to read it, Juho took a brief look at the cover. The book wasn't very thick, even thought it was a full-length novel. In the back, there were the summary and critics' reviews: