By Li Yun
The greatest feature of Chinese literature is its large number of writers, rich literary works and diverse artistic styles. Even the ways of publishing, readers' way of choosing books and their appreciation have varieties of ways, noted Yan Jingming, Vice chairman and secretary of the Secretariat of the Chinese Writers' Association.
Looking at the publication of contemporary literature books in 2018, we will find that it includes not only the works of writers with great influence, but also the new works of young and middle-aged writers who are in the ascendant stage and have begun to emerge in the literary field. Jia Pingwa (who is famed for writing rural theme)'s Shan Ben, Zhang Wei's new work The Secret History of Aiyobao which focuses on the clash between China's economic development and ecological protection, the representative writer of ‘educated youth' literature Wang Anyi's Kao Gong Ji, Liu Xinglong's powerful piece Secret Verses of Huanggang, which describes the fate of a family for generations, and Zhou Daxin's It's Getting Dark Slowly that touches upon the theme of old-age society etc., all have produced a huge impact and been ranked on many book lists. These authors' own fan number ensures market influence and minimum distribution. Besides, many publishing houses spared no effort in supporting new writers, which shows the social responsibility of publishing enterprises.
Zang Yongqing, chief of People's Literature Publishing House, the oldest literary press in China, said in an interview that 2018 was the year that a lot of contemporary literary works were published. The market competition is becoming fiercer.
Experts believe that in recent years, Chinese contemporary literature writing has shown three characteristics. The first is the emergence of realistic themed writings. It is easier for writers to find what they want to express from life, while it is also easier for readers to resonate with such works and have a sense of intimacy. For example, It's Getting Dark Slowly is the first novel that pays attention to the aging society, reflecting various problems of the aging society in China.
Secondly, imaginative historical novels and science fiction appeared in large numbers. Inspired by Liu Cixin's The Three-Body Problem, Chinese science fiction literature has sprung up like mushrooms. Data shows that the total revenue of China's science fiction reading market in 2017 was 970 million yuan, while the total revenue in first half of 2018 was close to 900 million yuan. In terms of print publications, the revenue in the first half of 2018 was 720 million yuan, an increase of more than 50% over the same period in 2017.
Thirdly, deep reflection on Chinese nation's personality and traditional culture. For example, Jia Pingwa's new work Shan Ben features a strong national spirit by depicting the perplexity of people in Qinling area in special times.
Organized by relevant Chinese cultural and publishing organizations, more Chinese writers such as Liu Zhenyun, A Yi, Bi Feiyu, Ge Fei, Yu Hua, Cao Wenxuan and Feng Tang have engaged in cultural exchange activities abroad, which have also triggered more sales of the copyrights and works. This has played a role in promoting understanding with foreign readers, literary and publishing circles, and promoting Chinese literature to enter the foreign markets. The translation editions into European and American markets have also triggered more rights deal with non-English speaking countries.
Nie Jinxing, director of Sinology Education Center of Modern Education Press, who has always been concerned about the Russian book market, said that with the deepening of economic and cultural exchanges between China and Russia and the increasing recognition of the "belt and road initiative" in Russia, the translation and publication of contemporary Chinese writers' works in Russia has been increasing, and their influence and local readers' needs for them are becoming increasingly diverse.
In recent years, the copyrights of a large number of famous writers' works such as Mo Yan, A Lai, Ge Fei, Ma Yuan and Shen Congwen have been obtained by Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House, laying a foundation for "going global". In the last few years, ZLAPH has sold the rights of Wang Xufeng and Ai Wei's works overseas. In February 2018, Yilin Publishing House set up the original literature publishing center, which collected a number of famous works such as those of Li Jingze, Fang Fang and Chi Zijian. It plans to promote the original literature to the international market.
People's Literature Publishing House took the initiative to act as an agent for Chinese literary works not published by itself and sell rights overseas. Up to now, the PLPH has successfully sold the copyrights of Jia Pingwa's Daideng in French and Italian, the Russian version of his Qin Opera and the Spanish version of his Chihua.
Amazon's global publishing project is also committed to promoting contemporary Chinese writers to "go abroad". In 2018, Amazon announced that it had completed the overseas publishing contract of Jia Pingwa's novel Qin Opera, Lu Yao's novella Life and Zhang Ling's Laoyan. Up to now, 22 Chinese literary works have been translated and published worldwide by Amazon. With the help of many parties, the international exchange of Chinese contemporary literature will become more frequent and fruitful.
（translated by Wang Qiuhai）
