386 Repeating The Past Mistakes 2 (2/2)
”I think you should just tell 'em to give up. I'm not the only person qualified to judge, you know,” Juho replied.
”But, you're the only Yun Woo there is.”
”Like I said, there are plenty of people who qualify to be judges,” Juho said. Then, looking toward his editor, the author said, ”Let me ask you something. Why are you so insistent on convincing me? I don't intend on being a judge for any occasion.”
”... I don't think you realize your talent, Mr. Woo.”
”My talent?” Juho said, chuckling. However, the young editor seemed serious.
Going through his bag in a hurry, Young Do took out a certain ma.n.u.script and said, ”This is the ma.n.u.script that you liked last time we met. It went into print just yesterday. The president seemed happy with it too. If it hadn't been for you, that one rookie author from last year would've never seen the light of day. The year before that, you liked a ma.n.u.script that I hadn't even gotten to yet. Now, that author is one of the leading figures of the literary world.”
”That's because he is a good writer himself,” Juho replied.
”One can't become a star on their own. If people can't appreciate their talent, then what's the point? You have sharp eyes, Mr. Woo. Even if you had been an editor, you would've had a ma.s.sively successful career,” Young Do said, handing a portion of a ma.n.u.script to Juho.
”On that note, do you think you could give this one a read?”
When Juho gave him a disgruntled look, Young Do avoided eye contact with the author, pus.h.i.+ng the ma.n.u.script toward Juho. Although reading a rookie author's ma.n.u.script was always a delight, a great learning experience, and a motivator, Juho simply couldn't afford the time to read those as often as his editor asked him to. After some contemplation, Juho said, ”On the off chance that there's a problem, I'm taking no responsibility.”
”I know I'm asking a lot, but please take a look, Mr. Woo. It's one of the submissions from last month. Apparently, the writer is a working doctor.”
As Juho scanned through the ma.n.u.script unhurriedly, Young Do joined in. Reading the first page was more than enough to distinguish a rookie from a seasoned writer.
”Not bad.”
Because Young Do was capable of distinguis.h.i.+ng the subtle nuances in the author's tone, the editor was able to catch on to the real meaning behind Juho's response. 'That's a no go.' Upon realizing that the author was having the same thought as him, Young Do had to suppress his excitement.
”Is there an issue, Mr. Woo? Others seem to think that it's pretty good,” Young Do said, playing coy.
”I don't recall saying that there's an issue,” Juho replied.
”OK. Then, what do you like about it?”
”You're very persistent, you know that?”
”I'll keep it to myself.”
Rubbing his chin, Juho flipped through the pages of the ma.n.u.script unhurriedly.
”I have a feeling that this is the first piece the writer has ever completed.”
”I'm sorry?” Young Do asked, caught off guard by Juho's answer.
Paying no attention to him, Juho said, ”It's not bad though.”
”Wouldn't that make him a genius? Especially if this is the first draft?”
”I don't know. What do you think?” Juho asked.
Since Young Do already had an answer in mind, he was able to give it readily, ”I mean, sure, it reads like it was written by an amateur, but that's nothing a bit of revision can't fix. Personally, I liked the idea of the story.”
”Hm.”
”I had no idea that it might be his first novel, but his sentences are incredible.”
”I agree,” Juho said, looking at the editor and urging him to speak more on the matter. If the editor had already made up his mind to work with the author, he wouldn't have brought it to Juho in the first place.
Realizing that Juho had already caught on to his excitement, Young Do, looking like he'd been p.r.i.c.ked in the heart, explained, ”Though, it does kind of seem made up.”
It had been the only, yet fatal, flaw of the ma.n.u.script. As Young Do smacked his lips, Juho put the ma.n.u.script down.
”Well, everyone has their own standards, right? I think this will definitely sell. Personally, I'd like to read this writer's other stories.”
”You know, Mr. Woo, it would make my life so much easier if you were more straightforward.”
”It's your decision,” Juho said, drinking his tea, and Young Do stared intently at the author as he drank the bitter liquid.
”Do you think you can write a testimonial for someone, Mr. Woo?”
”You're asking a lot of favors today.”
”I was hoping that you could think of it as the cost for the deadline extension.”
”I didn't realize we were negotiating.”
”I'm just joking, Mr. Woo.”
Yun Woo's testimonial was highly sought after. The phrase 'Recommended by Yun Woo' alone had the power to multiply a book's sales severalfold.
”For whom, if you don't mind me asking?”
Fortunately, Juho wasn't exactly like Hyun Do, who was infamous for refusing to write testimonial for anybody. However, once Juho said no on a matter, nothing would change his mind, not even an acquaintance or one of the higher-ups of a publis.h.i.+ng company.
”The author debuted last year. I don't know if you remember, but he drew a lot of attention. He's actually releasing a new book this year. Here's the ma.n.u.script.”
Juho picked up yet another ma.n.u.script and scanned through it for a similar duration. After which, the answer became clear.
”No.”
”... May I ask why?” Young Do asked while internally complaining about Juho's convoluted nature.
Rolling his eyes, Juho looked toward the young editor and asked, ”Who's the editor in charge of the author?”
”He's a coworker of mine who's been around longer than me.”
”I have a favor to ask you. Make sure that editor and I don't end up working together, even if it means you having to work for another publisher.”
”That won't happen… Is it really that bad, Mr. Woo?”
”It's not bad necessarily.”
'Here we go again,' Young Do thought to himself, fed up with the author beating around the bush. Without even bothering to ask, the young editor nodded. Although he had nothing to with the author of the ma.n.u.script, Young Do had to take on the burden in order to grant a coworker's request. Naturally, the ma.n.u.script was not one of the young editor's priorities.
”OK. Well, let's get back to your ma.n.u.script, then, shall we? So, toward the end here…”
Young Do listened to the author's thoughts quietly. By the author's explanations, it sounded like the ma.n.u.script was flawless. In fact, the young editor believed firmly that any ma.n.u.script that went through Yun Woo's hands came out significantly better. Then, noticing that something seemed off with the author, Young Do studied Juho's expression. Juho didn't necessarily appear to be in discomfort. In fact, he looked more at peace. After some brief contemplation, Young Do nodded and said, ”Well, I'll see you next time, Mr. Woo. If you need any help, please let me know.”
The house became silent after the young editor left. At which point, Juho rose from his seat and went into his room, where countless sheets of ma.n.u.script paper were scattered across the floor. Walking over them, Juho lay himself down on the bed. The windows were completely covered by the towering stacks of paper, making the room dark. After closing his eyes deliberately, Juho woke up from his nap about an hour later, yawning and murmuring, ”Still no sign of him.”