Lin Chaoyang naturally couldn't understand his French, but fortunately, Secretary Zhou from the embassy was waiting for a guest translation.

After the impassioned award speech, Lin Chaoyang stood up calmly amid applause.

With a calm and serious expression, and a heartfelt smile of joy on his face, he delivered a brief acceptance speech. Secretary Zhou translated his words and conveyed them to the guests and judges present, and the restaurant once again burst into applause.

In a sense, everyone here today has witnessed history.

Lin Chaoyang is not only the first foreign writer to win the award in the history of the Renaudeau Literature Prize, but also the youngest writer to win the prize. In everyone’s opinion, the choice of this year’s Renaudeau Literature Prize undoubtedly requires a lot of courage.

After delivering his acceptance speech, it was time for Lin Chaoyang to take photos with the judges.

During this period, Clermont Meteye also thoughtfully handed over the French version of "The Truman Show" and asked him to take a photo with the work. Tomorrow, this photo will appear on the pages of major newspapers in Paris.

In France, a large number of books are published every year from the end of August to the end of November.

Because there are several literary awards events almost every day during this time period. No matter how influential these awards are, when they are gathered together, they are enough to attract the attention of a large number of readers.

Through the spread of the media and word-of-mouth among readers, many books continue to accumulate popularity, and with the sign of "XX Literary Award Winning Works", sales will increase exponentially.

Especially France's premier literary awards such as the Prix Goncourt, the Prix Renaudeau and the Prix Femina.

Once he wins the award, not only will the writer's reputation greatly increase and he will receive royalties, but the subsequent publication of his work will also be equivalent to endorsement. It can be said that it directly changes the writer's living environment.

Many writers were poor before winning the prize, but gained both fame and fortune after winning the prize. This happens before and after the annual awards of several major French literary awards. According to statistics from the French publishing industry, the average sales volume of Goncourt Literary Prize-winning works has reached 480,000 copies.

.

The sales of works that won several other heavyweight literary awards, such as the Renaudeau Literary Prize and the Femina Literary Prize, were slightly lower, but still very impressive. "The Truman Show" was published in France in the second half of last year.

A total of nearly 70,000 copies have been sold throughout the year.

Lin Chaoyang, a foreign writer, can achieve such sales for his first book published in France, which is considered good, but there is still a lot of room. After winning the Renaudot Literary Award this time, "The Truman Show"

The sales volume is about to grow dramatically. This is the charm of literary awards.

Whether it is the Goncourt Prize for Literature or the Renaudeau Prize for Literature, the awarding process is very simple. After the award is given, two speeches are given and it is considered over.

Today, two award winners were born in the Tuon Restaurant. According to the historical status and influence of the award, Tahar Ben Jaron, who won the Goncourt Literary Prize, should have attracted more attention.

But who made Lin Chaoyang not only young, but also the first foreign winning writer in the history of the Renaudeau Literature Prize? Before and after the award, Lin Chaoyang received far more attention than Tahar Ben Jaron.

This kind of attention was particularly evident during the media interviews after the awards. Lin Chaoyang was surrounded by many more reporters than Tahar Ben Jaron. There were reporters from TV media and newspaper reporters.

Such as France Television 3, "Literature" magazine, "Liberation", etc.

Two heavyweight literary awards were awarded on the same day, and their combined influence cannot be underestimated.

The interview with the newspaper reporter was relatively simple. It was nothing more than asking about how it felt to win the award. The group interview was over in less than half an hour.

Interviews on TV stations are a bit more complicated. They have to set up a camera and the reporter on camera will ask questions, and Lin Chaoyang will answer them in a straight-forward manner.

In addition to Lin Chaoyang, Zou Daishi also accepted an interview with the TV station. He talked about Lin Chaoyang's winning of the Lenaudeau Literature Prize as a fruitful result of cultural exchanges between China and France. This interview will be available on French TV 3 this evening.

News section.

In addition, Lin Chaoyang also received an interview invitation from the French "Literary Magazine". The "Literary Magazine" was founded in 1966 and has played a decisive role in the French literary world for many years.

"Literary Magazine" does not have many columns, among which the most popular among readers is "Interview".

In each issue, they will interview writers or poets to explore the inner world of these creators and their unique understanding of the world in the form of questions and answers. The interviews require a quiet environment and are not conducted on the spot. The editor and reporter of "Literary Magazine"

Flemon made an appointment for tomorrow afternoon.

The reason why it is tomorrow afternoon is because he has to sign a contract with Gallimard Publishing House tomorrow morning. After winning the Renaudeau Literature Prize, Lin Chaoyang will definitely become famous in the French literary world.

Not only has "The Truman Show" pre-ordered sales increased significantly, but other works by the winner Lin Chaoyang have also become popular in the eyes of Gallimard Publishing House. As soon as the news of the finalists came out, Gallimard Publishing House

I made an agreement with Lin Chaoyang to introduce several of his novels one after another.

With the blessing of the Renaudeau Literary Award, the sales volume of these novels will surely be the same.

During the interview, several people from the publisher approached Lin Chaoyang and chatted with him, which aroused Clement Meteille's vigilance and hostility. Throughout the afternoon, Lin Chaoyang was dealing with media interviews and interviews.

After being invited for an interview, I knew I would have some rest time in the evening.

Zou Daishi had already left in the afternoon, but he left Secretary Zhou behind.

After returning to the Lenox Hotel and having a quick lunch, Lin Chaoyang said to Reporter Nie from the New H News Agency: "Reporter Nie, I kept you waiting for a long time." Reporter Nie smiled broadly and showed no signs of impatience.

"What the hell. You don't know. I watched you accept reporters from the French media this afternoon, and I felt an indescribable pride in my heart. Comrade Chaoyang, you are the first Chinese to win the Renaudeau Literature Prize!"

For modern Chinese people, the four words "win glory for the country" seem to be a mission and responsibility engraved in their bones.

We are eager to seek recognition from the world. Sometimes this eagerness may seem clumsy, but it is also cute because it represents a nation's striving for progress and self-pursuit.

Reporter Nie is in Europe and always brings major news happening on the European continent back to China, but rarely has the opportunity to convey Chinese stories to the European continent. Lin Chaoyang's award today undoubtedly greatly inspired his patriotism and national pride.

feel.

Even though five or six hours had passed since the award presentation, he still could not suppress his excitement.

He chatted with Lin Chaoyang for more than three hours. While chatting, he kept writing vigorously. He wrote down more than ten pages of content in his notebook, which was enough material for him to make a series of reports.

Surprisingly, during the interview, the phone in his room actually received several external calls forwarded from the hotel, all of which were from the publishing house.

"It is indeed one of the top literary awards in France. The award was announced today, and so many publishers are already eager for your work!" After Lin Chaoyang hung up the phone from another publisher, Reporter Nie couldn't bear it.

Zhu sighed.

Although he is a journalist stationed in Europe, this is his first exposure to literature-related awards and news reports, and it is also his first time to feel the influence of a heavyweight literary award in France.

"I really don't know how they found your contact information."

"There are so many people at Tuon Restaurant today. As long as you are willing, it is not difficult to know my address and contact information in Paris." Lin Chaoyang responded with a smile, and then went on to answer Reporter Nie's question.

It wasn't until around ten o'clock in the evening that the interview ended, and Lin Chaoyang asked him if he wanted to go back to his residence.

But reporter Nie said: "If I'm not going back, I'll just get a room in the hotel. I have to sort out these contents quickly and catch tomorrow's flight back to China to bring this good news to the people across the country!"

When he said this, Reporter Nie's face looked a little tired, but full of smile. Reporter Nie asked again: "Chaoyang, when will you return to China?"

"I have to do it in three days."

Originally, based on Lin Chaoyang's thoughts, he planned to return to Xiangjiang after his work in France, but before leaving, Zou Daishi specifically told him that the embassy had arranged two exchange activities, so that Lin Chaoyang must stay and participate.

In addition, the domestic Ministry of Culture and the Cultural Association also prepared commendation activities, and he had to return to Yanjing again.

The next morning, Lin Chaoyang got up and knocked on Reporter Nie's door, only to find out that Reporter Nie had left an hour ago. Lin Chaoyang had to go downstairs to have breakfast alone. After breakfast, Lin Chaoyang had just arrived at the hotel lobby when he heard

Someone is calling his name.

Lin Chaoyang turned around and saw a middle-aged man with a beard getting up from the sofa in the lobby. "Mr. Bourne?"

The middle-aged man was none other than the editor Julius Byrne whom Lin Chaoyang met during the Namibian Film Festival last year. He is a senior editor at Grasset Press, a well-known French publishing house. "Mr. Lin, long time no see!"

Julio Byrne warmly hugged Lin Chaoyang and exchanged greetings, acting like an old acquaintance.

Lin Chaoyang knew Julio Byrne's purpose without guessing. After all, a bunch of publishing houses had contacted him. But before he could ask, another person appeared in the hotel lobby.

Clermont Meteye was originally here to pick up Lin Chaoyang to sign a contract with Gallimard Publishing House, but he didn't expect to see Julio Byrne here at the Lenox Hotel. "Mr. Meteye, you don't mind.

Shall I talk to Mr. Lin alone?"

Julio Byrne looked calm and even a little provocative.

Clermont Meteye wanted to say "I mind", but unfortunately he couldn't make the decision for Lin Chaoyang. He pretended to be a gentleman and made a gesture, and returned to the car to wait for Lin Chaoyang.

Less than ten minutes later, Lin Chaoyang came out of the hotel and got into Clermont Meteille's car.

A trace of joy flashed in Clermont Meteille's eyes, but he was still more worried. He pretended to start the car casually, and then asked: "Lin, how was the conversation with Mr. Bourne?"

Although he knew that since Lin Chaoyang came out, there was a high probability that he had not reached an agreement with Julio Byrne, but he still couldn't help but want to confirm. "The negotiation was not bad. Grasse Publishing House is very sincere."

Clement Meteye felt nervous, "It seems that the conditions they gave are good."

Lin Chaoyang looked at him with interest, and Clement Meteye's eyes flickered.

"The conditions offered by Grasse Publishing House are good, but they are not enough to tempt me. Gallimard Publishing House is still my first choice." Hearing this, Clement Meteille's face showed nervousness.

His expression disappeared and he smiled heartily.

"Lin, you made the right choice. Our Gallimard Publishing House is the most professional literary publishing house in France. You will not make a mistake by choosing us!" "Of course."

Clermont Meteille handed several newspapers in the car to Lin Chaoyang. They were all reports on yesterday's Renaudeau Literary Award.

While driving, Clermont Meteille introduced Lin Chaoyang to the contents of these media outlets and reports. The two of them chatted and laughed all the way to Gallimard Publishing House on the Left Bank of Paris.

Compared with the silence when he came more than a year ago, now Lin Chaoyang has just won the Renault Literary Award and is in the limelight. The publishing house specially prepared a small celebration ceremony for him.

"Congratulations, Lin! You have created the history of the Renaudeau Literary Prize and the history of French literature. You are the first Chinese writer to win a heavyweight literary award in France!"

Ethan Rogers, editor-in-chief of Gallimard Publishing House, expressed warm congratulations to Lin Chaoyang on behalf of the publishing house. After Clermont Meteye whispered a few words to him, his expression became even more enthusiastic.

After the celebration ceremony, he couldn't wait to drag Lin Chaoyang to sign the contract.

Then he said to Lin Chaoyang: "Lin, you should stay in Paris for a few more days."

"Why?"

"I'd like to make an interview with you in The Paris Review."

The Paris Review was founded in 1953. In its early days, it was known for publishing high-quality novels and poetry by emerging or relatively unknown writers.

In its first five years, The Paris Review published works by Jack Kerouac, Philip Larkin, Philip Roth, Samuel Beckett, Nadine Gordimer and others.

In the future, these people will all become internationally important writers.

As a result, "The Paris Review" quickly won itself a great reputation in the French literary world and even the international literary world.

The Literary Magazine, which yesterday invited Lin Chaoyang to interview, has a good reputation in France, but it pales in comparison to the Paris Review.

The influence of "Literary Magazine" is limited to France, while the influence of "The Paris Review" is international, especially its "Writer Interviews" series, which is the trump card column of the publication.
To be continued...