Writing Web Novels In America-Chapter 44: Magical Modification

Wang Jian stared at the computer screen displaying "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone" and his mind wandered for a brief moment.

Then, an image of a little boy with black-framed glasses holding a magic wand flashed through his mind.

But whether it was because of the traversal, the scenes seemed fragmented and blurry.

It was similar to the effect when he heard the name "Amazon."

As Wang Jian massaged his head, trying to recall more fragments of memories,

Dorsey’s excited voice suddenly rang in his ears.

"Ha, I’ve read this novel, and I even gave the author some pointers on how to write novels based on what Wang Jian usually teaches me."

He grabbed the mouse and clicked to turn the page.

Then, he stopped on a certain page.

"Look, it’s right here."

Dorsey pointed at the screen, looking smugly at everyone.

Wang Jian carefully read the context.

It appeared that it was the time when the protagonist was being bullied by his aunt’s family.

And what Dorsey was pointing at was exactly the protagonist’s mental activity.

"Harry thought to himself, ’I can’t possibly be poor forever, one day I will break free from this life and then make you pay.’"

"And here too," Dorsey continued flipping the pages.

This time, it was the protagonist boarding the train to Magic School.

And what Dorsey pointed at was a narration by the author.

"The moment the two boys and a girl met, the wheels of fate had already begun to turn slowly. No one knew that the history of the Magic School was about to be rewritten from this day on."

"And look at this whole sequence of scenes!" Dorsey looked particularly pleased.

Wang Jian read further.

Only to see, it was the description of the protagonist competing at Magic School.

From the text, it should have been only one competition.

But for some unknown reason, it was written as a series of ring matches.

The protagonist and his friends, against all odds, fought through one obstacle after another.

It shocked most of the Magic School’s teachers and students.

The key issue was that the readers highly praised these Chapters.

Even the comments were much more numerous than the others.

"I can’t tolerate seeing Harry being bullied. Why is the protagonist so weak? If it weren’t for this sentence, I would have dropped the story."

"Ha, the wheels of fate, so epic. I absolutely love this line."

"From weak to strong in the ring matches, narrowly winning every time, it’s both nerve-wracking and exciting. Watching those who looked down on Harry being utterly shocked is just too satisfying!"

Wang Jian glanced at the computer screen, then at Jack Dorsey.

He scratched his head, feeling that something was a bit off.

But Lynn’s crisp voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Are you going to give a talk at Horace Mann Elementary School?" Her blue eyes stared straight at Wang Jian, saying, "Think about Lily, think about Gene, this should be easy for you."

Wang Jian looked at her, then back at the computer screen displaying "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone" under children’s literature.

After contemplating for a while, he asked Lynn, "Do all the students at this elementary school have computers at home?"

"Of course, this is the most expensive private school in America." Lynn responded, "The most expensive personal computer, in these kids’ eyes, is just a fun gaming console."

Wang Jian pondered for a moment, then said, "I can go, but you’ll have to write the recommendation letter."

"Besides, it will also have to be a few days later."

After the release of "I’m a Great Mage" and the first volume of "Arcane Throne," Wang Jian realized how important a work’s exposure was for its sales.

So, he planned to wait until Tom and Rossi contacted the author of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone" to obtain authorization.

And after the website redesign was completed to add a subscription reading feature, he would then go to that most expensive private elementary school to speak, and incidentally, to advertise for "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone."

"You still have a conscience," Lynn remarked and made a face: "I’ll contact the school’s board of directors."

"In a few days, I’ll go babysit Gene for a day so Lily can have some rest."

After saying this, she picked up her small handbag and left Wang Jian’s apartment.

As the sound of her high heels clicking gradually faded.

Wang Jian clapped his hands, saying to Tom and Dorsey, "Let’s settle on ’Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.’ Tom, you go contact the author."

"Dorsey, quickly redesign the website, and we’ll try to get everything done before going to the school to give a talk."

Tom and Dorsey nodded seriously.

Meanwhile, Wang Jian contacted Cisco’s customer service to inquire how much it would cost to upgrade the website servers.

At the same time, in distant Europe.

The young wife named JK Rowling had just had a huge fight with her boyfriend.

Because he not only refused to work but also stole money from her job to buy drugs.

She locked herself in the nursery, soothed her crying daughter to sleep, then opened the computer.

The only joy in her life was watching her work’s readers and comments continually increase.

But when she thought her work could change her current life,

The merciless rejection by the publishing house plunged her into despair.

Rowling typed on the keyboard, sharing her current predicament with her readers.

Then, she prepared to end her story and give up her unrealistic dream of being a writer.

She needed to find two more part-time jobs to earn more money to escape with her daughter.

But the praise and comments from her readers couldn’t provide any tangible help.

Just as she was sorrowfully writing her conclusion statement,

Her email suddenly chimed with a notification.

Rowling casually opened her email to check the message.

Moments later.

Her originally sad expression turned to disbelief.

Her eyes, misty with tears, widened.

Her "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone" was to be offered for paid reading online?

And the royalty split was an unprecedented 50% in the publishing industry?

The cost was merely 30% of the ancillary rights.

And these ancillary rights did not include the paperback rights of the novel.

Rowling, her hands trembling, typed the word "agree" into the email.

Then, she took a deep breath and clicked the send button.

At this moment, her heart was filled with hope yet tremendously nervous.

Would people really pay to read her work?

And could the income from her work truly change her current desperate situation?

As she received the reply email from the website, downloaded the attachment, and looked at the contract displayed on the computer,

She felt as if she had made a monumental decision, found a disk, and downloaded the contract into it.

Then, she opened the door, her gaze firm, and headed towards the print shop at the street corner.

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