Chapter 32 - Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Lin Chuan is too ruthless! (1/2)

Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Lin Chuan is too ruthless!

Is it thrilling?

In his cramped rental, Lin Chuan’s fingers paused on the keyboard, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly as he replied, “Youyou, now you’re teasing me!”

Youyou: “Also?”

Lin Chuan scratched his head: “That’s not important. What’s important is you’re making fun of a flop of a writer.”

Youyou looked at the message Lin Chuan had sent and smiled slightly, her slender and fair fingers dancing like playing the piano: “It’s not teasing. Plus, you’re not a flop anymore.”

Teasing?

Lin Chuan smiled and replied, “The royalty payment hasn’t hit my account yet, so what am I if not a flop?”

“Would a flop warrant a personal manuscript review by the chief editor?” Youyou replied.

Chief editor’s personal review?

Lin Chuan was startled: “Youyou, you’ve been promoted to chief editor? Congratulations!”

“I’m lucky not to have been fired yet, let alone be chief editor,” Youyou replied with a wry smile in her message, “It’s Sailing Novel’s chief editor Mingyue who, after hearing you want to start a new book, wants to review your manuscript with me.”

In Sailing Novel, there are three editorial ranks: responsible editor, chief editor, and editor-in-chief.

Each level has different authorities.

For instance, to feature a ‘Chief Editor Recommended’ major promotional spot in Sailing Novel, one needs the chief editor’s review and approval.

Additionally, chief editors have the privilege to recommend ‘Influent Authors’ as well as voting rights in decisions.

All these privileges are beyond what responsible editor Youyou has.

When Lin Chuan heard it was chief editor Mingyue, his heart skipped a beat, and his fingers withdrew from the worn-out keyboard.

Having written on Sailing Novel Website for so long, he had often heard of chief editor Mingyue’s big reputation.

Chief editor Mingyue had groomed numerous influent authors and was notoriously strict in the circle. His rejection rate for newbies and flops was the highest in Sailing Novel, with very few manuscripts getting through.

But almost every author whose work he approved started with a gem.

Now, for chief editor Mingyue to personally review Lin Chuan’s manuscript was an enormous recognition for Lin Chuan.

At the same time, it also put a lot of pressure on him.

Lin Chuan took a deep breath, placed his hands back on the balding keyboard, and replied to Youyou, “Could you ask Mingyue to go easy on his criticism?”

In the writer’s community, Mingyue’s “scathing quotes” were still making the rounds.

[With your skills, it’d be a waste not to be screwing in bolts!]

[Throw some rice on your keyboard, and the chickens pecking at it would write better than you!]

[After reading your opener, my dog started barking beside me, saying it fancies a bite!]

[…]

Every time Lin Chuan saw these, he couldn’t help but put himself in their shoes, shuddering at the thought.

So cruel!

So real!

Seeing Lin Chuan’s message, Youyou couldn’t help but laugh: “You don’t have to be so nervous. After reading your ‘Swindler’, Mingyue also suggested you write ‘Swindler II’. But since he knows you’re not into swindler-themed novels anymore, he’s really curious about what your new book will be about. No other meaning.”

Lin Chuan breathed a sigh of relief.

When he was studying, he feared teachers showcasing his essays in class for public critique.

Now, as a novelist, every time he sent the opening chapter to the editor, he felt the same anxiety, dreading the editor might say: What on earth did you write?

“Youyou, let me organize the opening chapter document a bit. Just a moment,” Lin Chuan steadied himself.

Youyou: “Nodding.jpg.”

Lin Chuan had long finished preparing the opening chapter document, but now, he wanted to review it a few more times himself.

Because, the reviewers included not just Youyou but also Mingyue.

And he might really get a scolding.

Lin Chuan opened the Word document and reviewed the opening of ‘This Assassin Is Too Professional’ over and over again. After being certain there were no issues, he sent the 20,000-word opener to Youyou.