Writing Web Novels In America-Chapter 112 - 111 "Prison Break" Universe

"Finally, I can get back to work."

After a "pleasant" Christmas holiday, Wang Jian sat in his office and let out a long sigh.

"How was your Christmas?" he asked Tom and Dorsey.

"Dorsey got a girlfriend!" Tom replied with a smile.

Hmm?

The die-hard programmer who’d been single for 19 years found a girlfriend?

That sparked Wang Jian’s interest.

"What’s the girl like?"

"She’s a programmer too." Tom joked: "The girl got drunk at the party and took the initiative to chat Dorsey up."

"Yo, not bad at all," Wang Jian patted Dorsey on the shoulder.

"Then," Tom laughed heartily, "the two of them discussed computer technology all night."

This...

That works for picking up chicks?

Wang Jian looked at Dorsey, whose face was flushed, and shook his head with a chuckle.

"By the way, that female programmer is from Stanford University, what’s her name again?" Tom looked at Dorsey.

Scratching his head with a shy response, Dorsey said, "Marissa Mayer."

"Right, these are the detailed website statistics during Christmas," Dorsey somewhat purposely changed the subject.

Seeing that the other man didn’t want to talk more, Wang Jian just shrugged and didn’t ask further.

He then picked up the documents and started reading.

According to the data, the number of paying users on the website had surged by 30% during Christmas.

Judging by the IP addresses, apart from the United States, they also gained a small number of users from Britain, Canada, Australia, and other countries.

Currently, the number of authors on the website who are earning over ten thousand US dollars a month has surpassed seventy.

This includes bestselling authors like Wang Jian and Neil Gaiman.

Of course, many were originally unknown writers who’ve come to have a steady income through the website.

Based on the current situation, the website’s annual revenue from paid readings alone is estimated to be around 12 million US dollars.

However, after deducting the high salaries of programmers, office rent, charitable funds, and other operating costs, the actual annual profit is probably about 4 million.

And according to his shareholding, Wang Jian could earn 2.4 million US dollars from the website each year.

Of course, if you add manuscript fees and licensing, his income for the year would probably be around 5 million US dollars.

"By the way, according to Catherine," Tom also started to talk business, "’Prison Break’s third episode’s ratings hit a new high, and some TV shows have invited the creators for interviews."

"Having exposure is a good thing," Wang Jian signaled Tom to continue.

"National Broadcasting Company (NBC) wants to buy the second run rights."

"How much are they offering?" Wang Jian asked.

"$400,000," Tom shook his head, "the price is standard for second run rights."

"But from what I understand, NBC can cover this part of the revenue just by airing two episodes with their ad income."

Hearing this, the three men in the office went silent for a moment.

No other reason, the website that had just stepped into this field still had weak bargaining power with TV stations.

The website provided scripts and productions and took on most of the risks, yet the bulk of the profit was completely taken by the TV stations.

"Keep in touch with other TV stations and see if there’s a chance to raise the offer," Wang Jian sighed.

"It’s difficult," Tom seemed a bit helpless. "No TV station would raise the offer for a new production company; it’s an unwritten rule."

"To raise the offer, we’d have to produce several hits in a row."

After saying this, Tom shook his head, "Our only bargaining chip is the second season of ’Prison Break’ or related works."

Hearing this, Wang Jian gave a wry smile.

Sarah’s novel could only support the plot for one TV series.

Even though he had already notified her to write according to the previous storyline.

But Sarah, with only a bit of experience, what she could write is still an unknown.

Worse comes to worst, the second season of ’Prison Break’ might just be a one-hit wonder.

As if guessing what Wang Jian was thinking, Tom tentatively asked: "How about we only sell licenses and don’t step into TV production anymore?"

"That way, we can avoid most of the risks."

"But we’ll make less that way," Dorsey argued, "Prison Break has already recouped the vast majority of its costs through ad placements, and the purchase fees from CBS and NBC are pure profit for us."

"But apart from Prison Break IP, advertisers don’t recognize our other works, and TV stations won’t offer a high price," Tom countered, "The most important thing is, we can’t afford to lose."

"The licensing fee for Prison Break is only $100,000, but through its adaptation, we’ve already made nearly $1.2 million!" Dorsey laid out the data.

While weighing the pros and cons, Wang Jian signaled for them to quiet down.

But at that moment, a website employee knocked on the office door, "Mr. Wang, there’s a middle-aged man here to see you."

"According to him, he appears to be from a film company."

Wang Jian raised an eyebrow and glanced at Tom and Dorsey.

"Ask him to come in."

"Yes."

A few minutes later, a white man with black hair walked into the office.

"Hello, my name is Eric, from Bright Production Company."

"Friends," Tom whispered to Wang Jian.

Wang Jian nodded and stood up.

"What brings you here, Mr. Eric?"

"It’s like this, we’re interested in obtaining the film and television rights for a novel on your website."

Eric pulled a document from his briefcase, "Special Soldier in Prison."

Hmm?

Wang Jian took the document and glanced at it, then his brows furrowed.

"Only a $70,000 licensing fee?"

Eric shrugged, "Since the work doesn’t have a physical book, we don’t have a reference."

"And the price for an unknown screenwriter’s work is roughly around this."

"That’s why screenwriters go on strike," Dorsey mocked quietly.

Eric glanced at Dorsey and continued calmly, "Although, your website’s adaptation of Prison Break was very successful. However, this novel is not the second season of Prison Break."

"So given that countless TV series are cancelled each year, our investment is quite sincere."

"We hope your website will consider it seriously."

After speaking, Eric shook hands with Wang Jian and then turned and left.

Watching the departing figure, Wang Jian handed the document to Tom.

He himself sat back behind his desk and started looking up this work called Special Soldier in Prison.

Moments later, he looked up, feeling a bit bemused.

This work...

Was a complete mess.

A Seal Special Soldier returns from a counter terrorism mission to find his brother imprisoned.

Next, the Special Soldier gets the prison layout from an intelligence contact he had worked with.

Then, he voluntarily applies to enter the prison, planning to break out with his brother.

Not to mention the main plot full of holes, the various descriptions nearly made Wang Jian spit blood.

For instance, the protagonist fighting the prison top dog, capable of taking on a hundred.

Or the prison’s female doctor, the FBI agents, acting like their intelligence dropped upon meeting the protagonist.

However, the protagonist felt eerily familiar to Wang Jian.

After pondering for a while, he opened up Sarah’s Prison Break and took a look.

Damn, this was the Vice Prison Warden’s character setup!

Similarly tall, handsome, with extraordinary combat skills.

And most importantly, damn loyal and righteous.

"Not the second season of Prison Break..." Wang Jian repeated silently to himself several times.

"Then... a spin-off?"

"Tom, contact Sarah and ask if she’d be willing to take another licensing fee," Wang Jian instructed.

"Then, get in touch with this author, ask if he’d consider linking it with Prison Break, to get a higher licensing fee."

"If DC and Marvel can put unconnected heroes together, why can’t we?"

"For the sake of making money, a bit of logical chaos is no big deal!"

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢