In just two days, "The Hobbit" became a hit.
But it wasn’t so popular that everyone read it.
Many adult men prefer the suspenseful "No Survival", which is more enjoyable to read and has a greater sense of immersion and urgency.
It can only be said that the target readers of each book are different.
But even so, the reputation of "The Hobbit" will definitely get better and better, and sooner or later it will surpass Professor James' "Antique Dealer's Mystery".
Professionals in the publishing industry predict this because they understand the advantages of long-form serials over collections of short stories.
Cambridge losing the bet was predictable.
Another unexpected point is that "Seaside Magazine" is selling extremely well.
…
Strand Street,
"Seaside Magazine" magazine, editorial office.
Editor-in-chief Herbert was sitting behind his desk, with his hands on the desk, fingers intertwined, thumbs circling each other, and absentmindedly listening to the clerk's report.
In the southwest corner, Doyle was also sitting curled up.
The room was very quiet,
There was only one voice from the clerk:
"So far this week, we have sold a total of 64,072 copies. It is worth noting that all the supplements on Monday have been sold out. The price on the second-hand market is now extremely high, and a copy is even sold for one pound. Record."
Herbert nodded calmly and looked at Doyle.
"Arthur, did you hear that?"
Doyle looked up.
His eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn't slept for several days.
Moreover, he had an unkempt beard and a slovenly appearance, looking like a caveman. If he were not wearing a shirt and trousers, no one would think that he came from the civilized world.
Herbert looked helpless,
"Didn't you hear our sales this week? Sixty-four thousand... um..."
Sixty-four thousand?
Herbert also showed a surprised expression,
He looked at the clerk,
"You just said that we sold more than 64,000 copies? Isn't this a record-breaking record?"
As soon as these words came out, Doyle suddenly sat upright.
The clerk nodded repeatedly.
"Yes, but this also includes the nine thousand volumes of Monday's supplement."
minus nine thousand...
"That's a record too! If I remember correctly, the last time it sold more than 50,000 copies was when The Hound of the Baskervilles just started being serialized."
Herbert still looked shocked.
The atmosphere in the editor's room was eerie, so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
After a while, Doyle forced out a smile that was uglier than crying.
"I didn't expect it to turn out like this."
It is true that Lu Shi beat Doyle when he wrote a book review in the Manchester Guardian using dancing figures.
But looking at it from another perspective, it is also a kind of advertising.
As the saying goes, "Black and red are also red."
From a sales perspective, "Hainan Magazine" even has to thank Lu Shi.
It's quite outrageous.
The corners of Herbert's mouth twitched slightly and he said to Doyle: "Look, we didn't lose, we even won. The Scotsman certainly didn't have such high sales."
The clerk on the side heard it funny,
"The Hobbit" is a fantasy, and Sherlock Holmes compares it with others. Isn't this Guan Gong fighting Qin Qiong?
What's more, "The Hobbit" has just started serialization and has no fan base.
This clearly shows bullying.
Doyle apparently thought so too,
He shook his head,
"Herbert, you don't have to comfort me."
This time, Doyle is full of confidence in "The Little Dancing Man", from the plot to the tricks.
In order to suppress Lu Shi, he even used a lot of outside moves.
But what's the result?
Lu Shi only used this sentence: "I cracked the code. Your loyal friend, Lu."
Solve the battle with one move.
Doyle couldn't help but sigh deeply: "Alas..."
Herbert looked at him like this, one with two heads,
If Doyle quits halfway through, what will happen to the next series?
As editor-in-chief, he could not allow Doyle to continue to be so decadent.
He said, "Arthur, you are so selfish."
Doyle's face darkened.
"I'm selfish!?"
The two stood up suddenly, facing each other,
They all blushed like angry bulls.
The clerk looked around, fearing that Chi Yu would be harmed, and quickly opened the door and slipped out of the room, not forgetting to close the door when leaving.
There were only two people in the room who were at war with each other.
Herbert couldn't help but snorted coldly,
"I said you were selfish for a reason. Let me ask you, has Holmes ever lost so far?"
What does this mean?
Doyle was puzzled;
"How come you haven't lost before? Whether it's "A Scandal in Bohemia" or "Baby Dancing Man," Sherlock Holmes..."
Herbert waved his hand and interrupted: "I'm not talking about the plot, but the outside."
Doyle was speechless.
Indeed, Holmes has never lost yet.
In terms of sales, "Seaside Magazine" has always been very stable. After "The Sign of Four", any Sherlock Holmes serial has never sold more than 40,000 copies.
This is extremely scary data.
And Sherlock Holmes has a large number of fans. Almost everyone in London has heard of his name.
Therefore, in terms of fame, Sherlock Holmes is undoubtedly the most successful character in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Herbert waved his hand into the air,
“How many copies of Wednesday’s Scotsman did you sell?”
"..."
No one answered.
Doyle reminded him angrily: "All your subordinates are gone."
Only then did Herbert notice that the clerk had already left, and he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
Doyle said: "Okay, okay, I know what you want to say. Indeed, even if you give it your best shot, The Scotsman will not be able to sell twenty-five thousand copies. It is no match for Holmes."
Herbert felt relieved when he saw Doyle regaining his confidence.
"You know that too?"
Doyle snorted coldly,
"Actually, when people compare Sherlock Holmes to The Hobbit, Sherlock Holmes has already lost."
Herbert waved his hand and said: "What can't be compared? Just create well."
If only it were so easy to adjust your mindset.
Doyle sighed silently.
He got to know Lu Shi because of his literary criticism of Sherlock Holmes.
Therefore, from the very beginning, he was more or less hostile towards Lu Shi.
It's better now. The release of hostility has failed, and we can only use sales volume to comfort ourselves and deceive others. This is really not the magnanimity and magnanimity that a British gentleman should have.
Herbert also understood what his friend was thinking,
He walked over, patted Doyle on the shoulder and said, "There's no need to underestimate yourself."
Doyle looked up.
"how?"
Herbert smiled,
"Don't forget that the unit price of "Seaside Magazine" is several times higher than that of "The Scotsman". So, you have a double crush on Lu in terms of sales volume and sales. That's the case. Why don't you have any reason not to be confident? ?”
Doyle knew that there was some truth in what the other party said.
But he still couldn't pass the level of the little dancing man.
"but……"
Before he finished speaking, Herbert interrupted: "There is no 'but', you are better than Lu."
This way of speaking is very much like brainwashing.
Doyle clenched his fists.
"You're right, I don't need to think about what is and isn't."
As he spoke, he took a deep breath,
"I have actually conceived the content of the following short stories. One of them, "Six Busts of Napoleon", I think is not inferior to "The Dancing Little Man" in terms of storyline. It is just about pursuing victory and refreshing "The Seaside". Magazine’s sales record.”
Herbert became interested,
"Do you have a finished manuscript? If possible, give it to me before next week."
(End of chapter)
