#serial publishing

Litres has also announced that it plans to reflect the direction taken by China Reading, a player in the heavily successful “online writing” sector of the Chinese market. In 2017, China Reading launched its Qidian International site for work translated into English.

Litres says it’s placing considerable bets on its Chernoviki project, hoping that it will generate up to 5 percent of total revenue for the company by 2020. In order to further develop the format, Litres has recently signed contracts with a number of publishing houses in Russia, including Eksmo, along with some well-known Russian  writers including Oleg Roy and Vadim Panov.

Litnet: Less Vulnerabe to Piracy

Litnet, another Russian ebook service—which also operates in English, Spanish, and Ukrainian—has also expanded into the new format, as confirmed to Publishing Perspectives by company co-founder Sergey Grushko.

He says the first book issued by Litnet in the new format is Swiss: A Better World, written by fiction writer Roman Zlotnikov. It was given a digital-first publication as an ebook on April 23, and hasn’t been published in print until this month.

The spokesman for Vladimir Medinsky, Russia’s minister of science and culture, tells Publishing Perspectives that Medinsky sees a growing audience for digital-first publishing in fantasy, adventure literature, women’s novels, and comics.

But according to the Alpina Group’s marketing director Irina Antonova, the Russian market may not be right for digital sales in general fiction.

Litnet’s Grushko says he estimates that no more than 5 percent of Russian fiction consumers today are ready to read in serialized releases, but a trend toward younger consumerism in books, he says, could mean there’s room for growth.

One thing Grushko likes about serialization, he says, is that it’s less vulnerable to piracy, presumably since until an entire book’s increments have been published, the work is incomplete online. He says he also thinks that serialization can lead to a big boost for publishers in the first year of sales, as users pay to read sections of the work.

“But since this is an option only for new books and, probably, only for fiction,” Grushko says, “the total volume of the market will unlikely to grow above 400 million rubles (US$6.4 million) by 2020.”

He and others say one reason for encouragement around online writing and serialization is a rise in recent years in self-publishing in Russia, seemingly an indication that this market, like other world markets, has more authors producing work than the trade industry is willing or able to publish.

“How is it looking, Fields?” Jasper asked sternly.

Grey Fields, with his legs crossed in a gentlemanly manner, unbuttons his coat and leans to the side of the chair. His eyes are a sharp green, which makes most people uneasy. Grey knows that he has that affect on people, mastering how to coolly and slowly pick his words as if savoring the taste of a good steak.

“Very wet, sir.” Grey says as a slow crack breaks on his mouth and he smiles salaciously at his words.

“Good,” Bill Jasper says. “Maybe this will wash away all of my trash for me.”

Jasper looks longingly outside at the gust of rain that falls on the window like machine gun fire before turning his attention back to the men, “So, lets not yank each others dicks and just get to why you are all here. If I am going to be known as the man that is tough on crime and can clean up the streets we need to deal with our backyard first. I want that tent city gone. Gentlemen, what do you have to brighten my day?”

The Police Chief took a slight step up and began the proceedings, “My men have been going down to the camp regularly, Really harassing the shit out of them. But because it is the church we can’t do a thorough check on account of-“

“We have convicted felons, drug users, and every other type of miscreant living out there, “ Bill Jasper sniped back. “And you can’t pin anything on them?”

The Police Chief took off his hat and began moving it from side to side “Most of the people there are families. And the others seemed to have fallen into line. It’s almost better than a prison-“ He felt himself turn red as Bill Jasper gave the Police Chief a dismissive look.

Bill turned to the stout and thin haired Health and Safety Commissioner, “Doug, surely you can shut that place down, I mean it is a toilet out there, right? I can’t imagine you letting anyone live out there.”

“Sir, I personally checked-“

“Are you kidding me?”

“Mayor, they have a doctor and all the facilities are up to code. Barely, but they are good.”

“How is this possible!” Jasper exclaimed, hitting his desk. “I have the Police Chief who can’t find any illegal activity from a bunch of cons and a health inspector that can’t find a piece of gum on the bottom of a shoe. Fuck me.”

“I am the Mayor of this town and I want that place shut down immediately. That is an order.”

Grey Fields calmly stated, “Sir, you don’t have the authority. They got their permit from the city counsel. All the paperwork and the applications went through the proper channels. As long as they have that permit, they-“

“Screw that permit. Some piece of paper and some town council person is going to outrank m? This is my city and I will do what the hell I please, damn it! And I want those street rats out of here.”

Entering the very frosty and contentious are two campaign members. They come into swiftly and take a seat on the small couch that resides in the corner.

The two aides, hired hands of Grey Fields, both of whom are young, but ambitious in thought sit upon a tiny couch that sits in the corner of the room. Had anyone come into the room it would have looked as if they were being lectured like two rebellious youths for taking their dad’s car out for a spin. 

“What do they want?” Bill Jasper asks, holding his fist to his chin in a contemplating look.

“They are here to talk about the campaign, sir.” Grey Fields says with optimism that a change of topic will lighten the room and get the Mayor rejuvenated.

“Chief. Doug. You guys can go, but I want you back over there getting me results.”

The two men exit, shaking their heads as they leave in a hurry to get out of the office.

Bill Jasper watched the men go and when the door closed returned his attention to his new punching bags.

“How are the numbers looking?’ Jasper demanded still in a surly mood.

One of the young men on the couch came to attention. With his binder open he quickly scanned the figures and presented his findings to the Mayor. “They are good, but not great, sir.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Bill Jasper barks, pressings his palms into the desk. “Either the numbers are great or the numbers are not great. Either we are up or we are down. Either you are a chicken shit moron or you are not. So what is it?”

“The young man tried to keep his notebook still upon his shaky leg. His body felt like it had just entered a sauna with a garbage bag on. He fidgeted a bit before mumbling something in response.

“What was that, son? First thing in politics is be ready for anything and if you are not act like you are. So, in your best PoliSci, I’m the big dick of this class voice, you stand up and tell me if what the numbers are.”

The young man rose up from his seat, ironing himself out as if he was in the army- back straight, chin up, feet together, eyes forward- to state to his boss in a voice that started strong and wavered as it came to the finish, “You are down 6 points to Governor Lewis, sir.”

“How the hell is this happening, Fields?” Jasper snaps as he stands up and moves to the front of his desk. “You assured me that this would be a tight race. That the people were fed up with his act and that a new attitude was needed.”

“That is correct, Mayor Jasper.” Fields stayed locked into his position, knowing from his time with Bill Jasper that you treat every meeting as if it might be your last and the best bet to say afloat is to not make any sudden movements. “We are gaining momentum from a week ago when we were down 8 points, and with our campaign contributions going through the roof we will have the requisite bullets to fire. We just have to remain patient.”

“So that is the plan? To sit here and wait for something to happen? Lets not pull any punches, Fields, whatever dirt you have gathered on Governor Lewis start firing. I want to put that cocky S-O-B into the ground.”

“With all due respect, Mr. Fields.” The young man sitting down spoke up. He felt confident; a rather odd feeling after seeing how is colleague had just been in embarrassed by this power wielding man. Politics is a game where the meek inherit jobs pushing papers and doing market projections and polling. If you wanted to move up in this game you have to speak up “But I agree with the Mayor on this one. We have to change directions and we have to make a bold and aggressive move because if we sit around and let this go on, well, Lewis might as well unopposed.”

“Who the fuck is this Fields and why is he talking?” Bill Jasper questioned

Fields feigned no surprise, admonishing the young man with a verbal jab, “Somebody who better have something good to say.”

Fields continued to hold his position, “By all means let us hear this grand plan.” Field wave his hand to let the young man begin, giving off a cool, icy green stare at the young man. The young man saw the look from Fields, but continued on, knowing that he had his moment.

“Today’s press conference was great, Mr. Mayor. The way you speak, it really has a way of captivating an audience and waking them up. We need that same passion, that same presence that you always present and we need to push you out there more. News, TV, presser’s all the time because these people don’t know you. They get a 30 second clip and then hear from some dipshit at their office who thinks he is informed because some pundit told him who to back and who doesn’t know tax reform from his asshole.” He laughs at his joke, but the room continues to wait for the payoff.

“I like what I am hearing so far,” Jasper announces. “So what do I tackle first out there-Tough on Crime? Budget Cuts? What?

“No, we do a one-eighty on your image. Right now you are the big bad wolf that is trying to blow down everyone’s house, even those people that don’t have a house. People are not responding to you because you are too much cowboy and not enough humanitarian. They don’t see a leader they see a bully; the same bully in high school that stole their lunch money and pushed them in lockers. That is what they see You have to makeover your image and I’ll just say it- You have to start with Jasperville.”

Bill Jasper’s eyes lowered like a predator that just sensed weakness in its prey. Grey Fields even flinched, dropping his head into his hand. Grey Fields knew the outcome before it presented itself and hid his eyes from the onslaught that was to incur. Even the young assistant on the couch began to squirm on the couch, sensing that his colleague had stepped over his boundary.

Bill Jasper pushed himself up from his desk. He walked around the young, cavalier young man whose beaming smile quickly faded as Bill Jasper circled him.

“Do you mind running that last part by me again?” Bill stated in nearly a whisper.

“We need to-“ The young man tried to reiterate with confidence.

“No,” Bill stopped in front of the young man, standing just above eye level of him. “Just that vey last part. I need to start with…”

“Jasperville,” the young man said reluctantly, in almost the same wavering voice that his colleague had closed out his final comments with.

Grey Fields removed his hand to watch the snake feast upon the unsuspecting mouse.

Bill Jasper knocked the notebook out of the young man’s hand and pushed him down upon the couch, “Listen here you chicken shit bastard; I didn’t get to where I am today by placating to the people and acting like everybody’s best friend. They want a best friend get a fucking dog. You want to pump the breaks then go work for Jiffy Lube. I am not apologizing and I am not bending over backwards to make people feel better.”

Bill Jasper back away from the couch, looking back on the small drops of water that slowly trickle down his window, “You know why I am down in this race? Because of people like you who want me to play it soft, to back off, and be something I’m not. You are weak just like those people out in-,” He turns his shoulders ever so slightly to glare back at the young aide. “What did you call it?”

“Jasperville,” The young man mumbled, looking down at his shoes.

“Fucking people.” Jasper grumbles. “Do you know these Tent Cities are growing bigger and faster everyday- Like they were on steroids. If I can lead the way to stop it, not only will people take notice here, but throughout the nation. Now, I haven’t come this far in the race to pump the breaks. No, I am running this show now and what these people need is for me to flex a little muscle; to show that when I say I am going to do something, I god damn do it and I do it well.  

Bill Jasper returns to his desk.

Grey Fields turns to the two men sitting on the couch shell shocked, wondering if they would ever return for another day. Rule number one as an aide- shut up unless you can handle the consequences.

“That will be all for you two.” Fields says in his usual measured tone.

As the two men exit, Jasper pulls out his glass and fills up a couple fingers of scotch. He takes a sip and turns back around to look outside upon his city. He hears the door close and begins to speak, “You hear that, Fields?  Jasperville. They named that brown hole after me. Those people are laughing at me, Fields. They are playing the role of martyrs and making me look like a fool.”

“It is the church,” Fields started. “They have the backing of a number of highly reputable charities. All the money goes into funding the camp.”

This is bullshit, Fields. I thought you had this figured out. They have a self-sustaining Woodstock out there. Damn state is floundering, but these people are living in piss and shit and doing better than us. I want you to go down there today and take those two with you”. Take the damn cavalry with you and I want that place shut down. Today!”

“But, sir,” Fields began knowing his final words would be a lost cause. “The permit.”

I don’t give a shit about a permit, Fields. What don’t you understand about that? I am the Mayor of this town and that means something and if it doesn’t well a storm is coming and I can guarantee you it won’t be pretty. Now leave and don’t show that pointy fucking nose around here until you see that ever last one of them is off that campsite. You hear me?”

Fields stands up from the chair. He fixes his suit, wriggling his noise a bit in shame before heading to the door to take on this task. “Right away, sir.”

Fields opened the door, but before he could leave was giving one last question to answer from his boss, “Oh, and Fields,” Bill Jasper turns in his chair to look upon his top assistant. “I don’t want to be caught in the eye of the storm come election time make sure you-“

“We are monitoring all fronts, sir,” Grey Fields gave his boss a confident stare and a reassuring head nod. “We won’t be caught without an umbrella.”