Chapter 33: The Proposal from Pantheon

[Publication Proposal]

[We would like to discuss the contract regarding 『Lord of the Smartphone』.

We have reviewed your desired contract conditions positively.......]

“Oh, it’s here!”

Before going to sleep, I checked my email. Was there a chance I’d gotten a new offer for my latest work? I checked, and sure enough, my inbox did not disappoint.

“But, where is Pantheon?”

I searched my memories from my previous life, but I had never heard of a publishing company called Pantheon before.

“Did it go bankrupt at some point?!”

Well, there are always new publishers popping up and old ones going under.

For now, let’s read the email.

[Hello, this is Pantheon Publishing.

We’re a newly established publisher this year, operating with the motto: ‘A partner that stands by the author’s side, so you can finish your work without wavering.’

I have experience working at a major publishing house.

The reason I left is as follows.

I was tired of companies that cared only for their own interests and ignored the efforts of authors, so I wanted to create my own publishing house, a company that could walk alongside its writers.

I want to listen to the voices of authors, and accompany works that share our direction and values for a long time.

When I first encountered your work, 『A Genius Was Adopted by a Chaebol Family』, I felt it carried a message far beyond the usual stories of prodigies. Your warm perspective, keen understanding of economic trends, and sensitive observations of both characters and society truly stood out.

When I continued to read 『Lord of the Smartphone』, I became eager to work with you through to the end.

The way you seamlessly wove complex systems like economics, management, and politics into the worldbuilding, and completed a structural simulation through the theme of domain management, was excellent. Your innate sense, planning ability, and attention to detail are the best I’ve seen.

I would like 『Lord of the Smartphone』 to be our first contracted work.

Please let me know your availability, and I’ll arrange a meeting accordingly. I hope for a positive response.]

“Hmm, this is the first time I’ve received such a sincere email.”

In both my lives, the emails I got from publishers were always copy-pasted templates. But this email from Pantheon was different—it was filled with genuine care for the author.

But.....

“Hmm, maybe that’s why it failed.”

Sure, the idea of a publisher for authors is wonderful.

It’s not something you find easily.

However, running a company and serving authors are two entirely different matters.

“Financial structure is extremely important.”

No matter how much a company claims to be for authors, if settlements aren’t handled properly, it’s no better than those publishers that treat writers like slaves.

I saw and heard it countless times in my previous life.

There were companies that couldn’t deliver proper results, failed to pay authors what they were owed, and eventually shut down.

Thinking about all that, contracting with a new company was a very risky proposition.

“But, there is a definite advantage. Since they have fewer works, they can focus on mine.”

This is something I’ve actually experienced.

When I first started out as a writer, I signed with a new publisher and worked with them for more than six years.

If I had signed with a major publisher, I might not be where I am today.

A work that wouldn’t have gotten much exposure at a big company received regular promotion at the new publisher, bringing in a steady income and reaching more readers.

The contract terms were also much better than those of a major publisher.

Considering all that, the merits of a new company are clear.

“Hm......”

It was a tough decision.

Should I go the safe route, or take a risk and try something new?

“For now, I’ll meet them and decide.”

Thanks to ‘A Genius Was Adopted by a Chaebol Family’, I was in a financially comfortable position.

Even if the new work got tied up for a few years, it wouldn’t hurt me much.

The risk was bearable, so I decided to meet with the representative of Pantheon Publishing.

[Hello. This is Unreal Oppa, the author.

Thank you for your interest in my work.

After reading your heartfelt email......]

My hands moved to the keyboard as I started writing a reply to Pantheon Publishing.

The next morning.

As soon as the sun rose, I checked my email.

“It’s here!”

As I expected, Unreal Oppa’s reply had arrived.

My heart began to race.

[Here are my available dates for the meeting.

August 28, 2 PM.

Address: Ansan City, Gyeonggi-do.......

Contact: 011-XXXX-XXXX.

※ I’d like to know your company’s debt status. Please bring documents verifying this when you come.

Also, my contract conditions are: 3-year rights for the work, 8:2 split for online novel settlements. I request 8% of paperback book sales revenue.]

“.........”

I froze for a moment at the last line.

“Ha, haha... As expected from a management novel author. I didn’t think I’d see such conditions written out.”

I’d never had a writer make this kind of request before. Now I was truly curious about what kind of author he was.

“Well, it’s only natural to ask. It’s a new company. And he’s taking a risk by meeting me.”

I could tell just from reading his novels that he had a strong business sense, but his email made it even clearer.

“This author gets more and more intriguing.”

The part about web novel settlements made me tilt my head, but from my experience in the publishing world, my gut told me one thing.

This was an author I absolutely had to secure.

“Let’s prepare the contract according to the author’s terms.”

There was no need to think it over.

I decided to draft the contract based on the author’s requests.

I could hardly wait for the day we’d meet.

[Wednesday, August 25, 1999, Weather: Cloudy]

Da-hye fell asleep with her head on my lap. In the quiet night, as I stroked my sister’s hair, a smile spread across her lips. Even if nothing special happens, I hope every day could be like this.

Because of Da-hye, I am happy.

[Thursday, August 26, 1999, Weather: Clear]

I made hamburgers again.

Mom, Da-hye, and me.

The three of us busily shopped and prepared ingredients that morning. Mom kneaded and cooked the patties, and Da-hye and I assembled the hamburgers and shared them with our neighbors.

I wish this kind of time would last forever.

[Friday, August 27, 1999, Weather: Cloudy, then Clearing]

Da-hye brought her friends over. Hye-in, Ah-rin, and the other kids chatted and laughed, talking about the nursing home. The smells, warmth, and kindness of that day seemed to come alive again.

I hope next time will be just as special.

“I never thought I’d become someone who writes a diary regularly, but now that I do, I really like recording things like this.”

In my diary, I recorded each day’s events in words and pictures.

A journal documenting the growth of my sister and me, our unique memories.

When I’m in my thirties or forties, I’ll be able to look back and remember these days.

When that time comes, I want to give my diary to my sister as a gift.

I closed my diary and turned my gaze to the monitor.

[...... I’ll visit your home by 2 PM on the 28th. Thank you for giving Pantheon the opportunity to meet you.]

An email from Pantheon was on the screen.

I read the message and let out a quiet sigh.

“I was wondering which company to go with this time. I hope they’re a good person.”

In truth, I’d gotten quite a few contract offers from various publishers. There were famous major publishers, and some mid-sized ones that had released a hit or two. Even so, the reason I put them aside and decided to meet with a risky, new publisher was because I saw something more valuable than just contract terms.

Looking just at the contract, an 8:2 split and 8% for paperbacks means I get a pretty good share as an author. But more important was how sensitively this new publisher would respond to trends in the web novel platform market.

Existing publishers had a bad view of the web novel market. They’d present ridiculous contract terms. 5:5 splits, sometimes even 4:6, with the 6 going to the publisher. It was the same even at companies like Mideum Publishing, supposedly built on trust.

“Well, it can’t be helped. That’s just reality—companies need profit to survive. But still, this is just unreasonable.”

Some authors accept those terms and release their works, but that trend isn’t good. As the market matures, creators should be able to claim more rights.

When it comes to the web novel market, I want to lead the way for my fellow authors. I want to be a good precedent, so that someone’s first contract isn’t full of unfairness—at least on the path I’m paving.

“That’s enough work for now. I should go talk to Mom.”

Since I’m still a minor, I have to be accompanied by a guardian. Legally, I can’t attend a contract meeting by myself.

“Mom, Mom.”

Calling for my mother, I went downstairs to the living room. The evening news was still on TV, and Mom was sitting with Da-hye.

“Yes, son.”

“Where’s Dad?”

“Dad went to see Uncle Yongdu. Why?”

Uncle Yongdu used to live in Seoul, but he recently moved to Ansan. Since he works in the same field as Dad, they’ve been meeting up often these days.

“I just didn’t see him around. It’s nothing big. You know I’m preparing a new work? There’s a publisher that wants to sign a contract, and we’re supposed to meet at 2 o’clock tomorrow. Are you available then?”

“Oh, really?! I’ll make time even if I’m busy. Where are you meeting?”

“It’s not at a fancy Korean restaurant like last time. I invited them to our home.”

“At home?”

Mom asked again in surprise.

“Should I change the location?”

I wondered if I was putting too much pressure on her and asked if I should pick another place.

“No, it’s fine. Really. I mean... I could at least cut up some fruit and serve it, right?”

“Haha, Mom, you don’t have to go all out. I just wanted to have a relaxed meeting at home.”

I’ve never been comfortable in stiff, formal settings. When I signed with Mideum Publishing, it was just to show my parents how I was treated. In my previous life, most meetings were done by email or phone.

“Well, they’re guests after all. I should at least offer them some fruit.”

“Haha... Whatever you’re comfortable with, Mom.”

Our mom really is something else. She probably just wants to take care of me so I’ll do well, but I felt a bit sorry for making things hard on her.

Still, I didn’t dislike how she cared.

In fact, I was grateful for it.

“Thank you, Mom.”

Wanting to express my thanks, I went behind her and gave her a shoulder massage.

“Oh, you. Why are you being so sappy today?”

As I massaged her shoulders and spoke playfully, Mom squinted at me and spoke with mock annoyance.

“I’m just grateful. I’ll succeed, and when you’re in your fifties, I’ll make sure you can take it easy.”

My parents struggled so much in my previous life. This time, my goal is to let them enjoy their hobbies and have a comfortable life in their fifties.

Mom hid her embarrassment, saying, ‘Enough, just massage my shoulders properly.’

Once again, our house is full of warmth.

Tomorrow, and the day after, I’ll make sure that warmth never fades.