Editor Dajon: We accept submissions, you can send it to my email. I will review it as soon as possible and give you feedback.
Compared to the editors from Web, the editors from Royal seem much more polite.
As the largest online literature platform, Web, backed by major capital, has enormous resources. Combined with the monopoly of their editor system, this has led to the editors developing a self-important, arrogant attitude.
However, other platforms are in great need of talented authors, so their treatment of authors is noticeably friendlier.
The smaller the platform, the better the attitude of the editors toward the authors.
Harry: Okay, I'll send it to your email right away.
Harry immediately sent the polished opening chapters to Editor Dajon via email.
"If Web doesn't work out, Royal is a good alternative! Gold will shine no matter where it is! If I can become a top-tier author on Royal, it wouldn't be much worse than being a top author on Web!"
Harry muttered to himself, feeling confident that his work would be accepted by Royal.
"Since the editor probably won't review it right away, I might as well write some more!" While waiting, Harry decided to continue writing to build up his manuscript stash.
Having enough chapters in reserve would allow him to release a burst of updates at critical moments, helping him quickly establish his reputation!
Tap tap tap tap…
Opening the writing software, Harry immediately immersed himself in his work, his fingers flying across the keyboard as he rapidly typed out paragraphs of the story.
Before he knew it, three hours had passed, and Harry began to feel slightly fatigued.
This time, Harry noticed his speed had improved significantly. In just three hours, he had written over 40,000 words!
This kind of speed was something he would never have dared to imagine in the past!
Knock knock… knock knock knock…
Just as Harry was about to light a cigarette to take a break, a soft knocking sound came from the door.
"Brother-in-law… brother-in-law? Are you there?"
It was Clara's voice!
Hearing Clara's voice, Harry, who had been feeling a bit tired, immediately perked up.
"I'm here, I was just writing. What's up, Clara?"
Harry quickly stood up and walked to the door to open it for Clara.
"What do you mean, 'what's up'? Brother-in-law, have you even checked the time? It's time for lunch!~~"
Clara rolled her eyes playfully at Harry, smiling coquettishly as she spoke.
Harry hurriedly glanced at his watch.
Unknowingly, it was already 11 a.m.!
Time really flew when he was immersed in writing a story he loved!
"Look at me… I got so caught up in writing that I lost track of time… Let's go, let's eat!"
Scratching his head awkwardly, Harry smiled and naturally wrapped his arm around Clara's slender waist.
When her brother-in-law embraced her so casually, Clara showed no signs of resistance. Instead, she leaned into his arms naturally, biting her lip shyly as she whispered nervously, "Brother-in-law… Elena is at home too… Don't be so obvious!~~ That brat Elena has a big mouth. If she sees us, she might tell Mom and Sister…"
"Yeah, I know. Isn't Elena downstairs? Let me take this chance to hold you properly!~~"
Seeing that Clara wasn't resisting, Harry grew bolder, pulling her into a tight hug. His breathing grew heavier as he gazed at his blushing sister-in-law and said excitedly, "Clara, let me kiss you!~~"
"Pervert!~~ Always thinking about taking advantage of your sister-in-law, always trying to get a taste of her!~~ You're so bad!~~"
Though Clara scolded him playfully, her body pressed closer to Harry's. Her long eyelashes fluttered as she closed her alluring eyes, tilting her head up with a soft gasp, waiting for Harry to claim her lips.
Harry swallowed hard in excitement before lowering his head to capture Clara's lips.
The two of them immediately began kissing passionately, like long-lost lovers reunited.
"Ah!~~ Oh no!~~ It's burning!~~ Second Sister!!! What were you doing when I asked you to call Brother-in-law for lunch?!"
Just as Harry's wandering hands couldn't resist reaching for Clara's full, perky breasts, Elena's panicked scream rang out from downstairs.
The scream startled Harry and Clara, forcing them to quickly separate. They exchanged an embarrassed glance before Clara shyly turned away and dashed downstairs, fleeing like a startled deer.
"I'm coming!! Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on it?! How did it burn?!"
Watching Clara's seductive figure disappear down the stairs, Harry stood there dazed, still lost in the bliss of the moment.
His sister-in-law Clara seemed to be growing less and less resistant to his advances.
Just now, when he hugged and kissed her, Clara had acted naturally, even somewhat proactively, as if she had already grown accustomed to—and accepted—their ambiguous relationship.
The only problem was that they still hadn't taken that final step.
Harry understood the root of the issue, so he wasn't in a rush. The perfect opportunity would come when he accompanied Clara to her school for the talent show.
Thinking about it, that day wasn't far off. For now, Harry was content to wait.
When the time comes to leave home and go to another city, staying together in a hotel, Harry is absolutely confident that he can make his sister-in-law Clara his woman!!
Excitedly rubbing his hands, Harry quickly followed Clara as she ran downstairs. His mood, which had been soured by the earlier incident with Editor and the others, instantly improved.
When he thought about it, it really wasn't a big deal. He had plenty of money now and connections too. Even if his book wasn't outstanding, he could still make it popular with enough promotion!
Those so-called "platinum authors"—how many of them didn't rely on artificial boosts to get their numbers up?
Especially those like Spirit Skeleton and White Crane Sky, who were so notorious for inflating their stats that even people outside the circle knew about it.
With his current financial resources, Harry refused to believe he couldn't outspend them!
He'd just hire someone to go all out and push his book straight to the top of the bestseller list!!
"Brother-in-law… it looks like we failed…"
As soon as Harry reached the bottom of the stairs, Clara and Elena stood dumbfounded by the dining table, looking at him with innocent expressions.
Elena, in particular, was even wearing an apron, her face smeared with a large patch of white flour, looking like a little chef. The sight gave Harry a sudden flutter in his heart.
Being able to see two stunningly beautiful sisters-in-law every day was truly a great happiness!
"Brother-in-law… I guess we'll have to eat out…"
Clara stuck out her tongue awkwardly, staring straight at the charred pizza on the table.
Harry glanced at the burnt pizza and immediately felt a headache coming on.
His two sisters-in-law were perfect in every way except for their cooking skills. The pizza was completely blackened—there was no way anyone could eat that.
"Hahaha… then let's go out to eat! Brother-in-law's treating today, we're having a feast!~~"
Harry laughed heartily, ushering Clara and Elena into the car. He took the two beauties to a shopping mall for some Japanese cuisine, then happily accompanied them as they bought a few sets of clothes before finally returning home satisfied.
By the time he got back to his study, it was already past 4 p.m.
Harry turned on his computer and checked his email. Dajon from Condokon had already reviewed his manuscript and replied.
Harry eagerly opened the email.
[The work is good, the writing is solid, but it doesn't quite fit our platform's style. If you're willing to make some revisions, we can discuss further on Discord.—Royal Editor Dajon.]
Reading Dajon's reply, Harry's heart sank.
Royal's editors still hadn't shaken off their old habit of always trying to dictate how authors should write.
No matter what you submitted, they'd insist on making you change it to fit their preferences.
These revisions often ended up distorting the work beyond recognition.
And yet, the editors never seemed to tire of it.
That said, compared to the editors at Web, Royal's team was at least somewhat more professional and polite. Though Harry was annoyed, he decided to give it a shot.
: Editor, got your email. What kind of changes are needed?
Dajon: The beginning needs to be more concise, getting to the main plot faster. Also, the conflict isn't pronounced enough. You should add more tension—for example, after the protagonist enters the post-apocalyptic world, have him get beaten up and humiliated by the antagonist. That'll make it more engaging for readers.
"Fuck, have the editors at Condokon lost their minds? Ever since those cuckold stories got popular, they keep forcing authors to torture their protagonists! My story is supposed to be wish-fulfillment, and they want me to turn it into misery porn…" Harry grumbled internally but still reluctantly asked:
: Got it, Editor. If I make these changes, can I get a contract?
Dajon: You can get a contract, but the rate won't be high. We can only offer a flat-rate buyout at $15 per thousand words.
: ?
: Only a buyout? And just $15 per thousand words?
Harry immediately felt his temper flare.
Royal loved pushing flat-rate buyouts, and the prices they offered were insultingly low. This book was meant for potential film and TV adaptations—if he signed a buyout, the rights would no longer belong to him.
Not that it mattered much, since Harry wasn't hurting for money. He just wanted to prove himself and make a name.
But $15 per thousand words? Harry felt like the editor was outright mocking him!
Was this how they treated beggars?!
Dajon: Yes. Your writing is good, but it doesn't align with current market trends. Maybe try writing a cuckold story instead.
BANG!
Harry slammed his fist onto the desk in fury!
The manuscript he had poured his heart into was being dismissed so casually!
It was like someone pointing at his beloved child and calling them ugly and stupid.
This was nothing short of an insult!
Sigh…
Harry took a deep breath. If even they didn't appreciate his work, he'd just try another publisher!!
Suppressing his frustration and disappointment, he replied with a curt "No thanks" before feeling utterly disheartened.
Ahem…