Writing Web Novels In America-Chapter 57 How about, I give you royalties?

Wang Jian hurriedly left his apartment, feeling embarrassed but also genuinely having matters that needed his attention.

Tom had just informed him that Mike Richardson from Dark Horse Comics had already arrived at the company and seemed quite anxious.

That meant Dark Horse Comics was still facing significant difficulties.

He could use this to leverage more benefits in the upcoming negotiations.

Wang Jian arrived at the office building and slowly made his way up to the eighth floor.

For some reason, his legs felt a bit weak.

"One day, when the website has money, I must move to a place with an elevator," Wang Jian mumbled to himself.

When he entered the office, all the other staff members were already there.

Dorsey was leading the technical staff in resolving various bugs that had cropped up on the website.

And the four newly hired junior editors were reviewing the articles collected on the website.

Wang Jian’s task for them was to first identify works clearly above the PG-13 level.

Then, to pass these on to the technical department for locking.

Wang Jian looked at the bustling employees and calculated their salaries in his mind.

Sigh...

Another substantial expense.

He exhaled and walked into his own office.

Inside, Tom was chatting with Mike Richardson about something.

However, Richardson occasionally glanced at the office door, seeming somewhat restless.

"Hi, Mr. Richardson," Wang Jian greeted while extending his hand.

"Oh, Wang, we meet again," Richardson said, standing up to shake hands with Wang Jian.

"How are you considering the issue of the ’Arcane Throne’ comic book rights?" Richardson asked without delay.

Wang Jian was about to answer when he saw Tom give him a sign.

"Please wait a moment," Wang Jian said, giving Tom a confused look and then stalling, "We still need to get the evaluation report from the rights department."

"How long will that take?" Richardson tried to make his tone sound less urgent. free𝑤ebnovel.com

"Just a few minutes."

Wang Jian poured another cup of coffee for Richardson and then left the office.

He went into Tom’s office and sat down.

Here it was—the legendary rights department.

But an evaluation report?

Come on, what was that even supposed to be?

Shortly after, Tom also entered the office.

He didn’t say much, just handed Wang Jian a press briefing.

Wang Jian looked down and saw the headline on the newspaper.

"Marvel announced yesterday that its comic adaptation movie ’X Generation’ has finished production and will hit the big screen next year."

"Its titles ’Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ and ’Blade’ will also be successively made into live-action movies."

"Is Hollywood’s age of superheroes coming?"

Wang Jian put down the briefing and after a moment of contemplation, asked, "Has Marvel also escaped from crisis?"

"Yeah, that’s what the stock market shows," Tom replied.

Marvel and DC Comics were pulling themselves out of crisis through adaptations to film and television.

But as the third-largest comic company in America, Dark Horse Comics was in quite an awkward position.

Wang Jian tapped his fingers lightly on his desk a couple of times.

Then he asked, "Has Mike Richardson not given up on the idea of taking Dark Horse Comics public?"

Tom shook his head and said, "That’s a bona fide billionaire we’re talking about, how could he just give up?"

Wang Jian laughed upon hearing this.

"It seems, our idea to sell the comic licensing to Dark Horse Comics needs some adjusting."

"Openly repair the plank road, but secretly cross the Chen Cang," he said.

Tom asked, "What did you say?"

Wang Jian shook his head, "Nothing much, I’ll lead today’s negotiation, and you are responsible for reviewing the contract."

"Okay." Tom nodded, not saying anything more.

After all, Wang Jian was not only the major shareholder of the website but also the author of "Arcane Throne."

In either capacity, he held a strong leadership position.

Wang Jian stood up and walked back to his own office.

Tom followed closely behind.

When Mike Richardson saw Wang Jian, he immediately stood up and said, "A 35% royalty share, with a guaranteed minimum royalty of a hundred thousand US dollars."

"We can’t go any higher on that percentage."

But Wang Jian shook his head, signaling Tom to close the door to the office.

Then, he sat beside Richardson and said, "I understand the situation you’re in, Mr. Richardson."

"How about we discuss a solution that both parties can accept?"

Richardson frowned at the young Asian man across from him and asked, "You’re not satisfied with these terms? This is already the cap for adaptation rights licensing."

Wang Jian looked earnestly at Richardson and said, "I understand all that."

"And through your terms, I can guess that you don’t care that much about the revenue from the comic version of ’Arcane Throne.’"

"What you want is just a hit comic to enhance investment institutions’ confidence in Dark Horse Comics."

"So, how about this, we offer you a share of the royalties?"

"What do you mean?" Richardson was momentarily stunned.

Tom’s eyes lit up at the side.

"Outsourcing," Wang Jian walked back to his desk and self-servingly took a sip of his coffee and said, "A 5% royalty share, plus the cost price per comic book."

"And we guarantee not to publicize the copyright issues of the ’Arcane Throne’ comic book version."

Richardson then realized, was this treating Dark Horse Comics as an outsourced comic studio?

He was just about to reject outright when he heard Wang Jian continue, "As far as I know, Goldman Sachs Investment’s interest in the publishing industry is diminishing, and they care more about the internet industry."

"Just, I wonder if this situation will improve in the future?"

Richardson’s heart skipped a beat at these words.

Yes, this might be his last chance to become a billionaire.

But, a 5% royalty share...

That really was too little.

Richardson struggled to suppress his dissatisfaction and said, "But our Dark Horse Comics has a complete distribution network."

"That’s precisely why I’m offering you a 5% royalty share," Wang Jian stood up, looking seriously at Richardson.

The office suddenly fell silent.

After a moment, Wang Jian shrugged his shoulders and said to Tom, "It seems Mr. Richardson disagrees."

"Then you try recruiting some comic artists who have become unemployed due to the current comic industry crisis."

"Then use the advantage of a 5% lower price to get in touch with comic bookstores everywhere."

Richardson glared at Wang Jian.

It took him more than ten minutes before he said through clenched teeth, "I’ll do it."

Wang Jian, with a slight smile, stood up and said to Tom, "Go draft a confidentiality agreement."

Then, he walked up to Richardson and said, "Congratulations to Dark Horse Comics for securing the comic adaptation rights of ’Arcane Throne.’"

Richardson’s complexion was ashen as he shook hands with Wang Jian.

Then, he took out his phone to start contacting his lawyer.

Meanwhile, Wang Jian thought to himself: Having a phone is indeed convenient.

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