Аннотация: The Sketch how Vanya Zhukov became a modern Russian writer
The Sketch how Vanya Zhukov became a modern Russian writer
Somehow Vanya Zhukov runs near a trash cans. And there the thrown-out newspaper clippings lie. A title of an article is visible. Something about Pushkin.
Big article. Probably an interesting. Vanya took a newspaper leaf with the article and ran further.
When he was very tired, and it was time to have a some rest, Vanya stopped somewhere and read the article.
It turned out to be a writer in Russia is very profitable. Hand reaching for a feather. A feather - to paper. And then your books are bought in the store. You open your pocket. Pocket is filled with silver rubles.
Vanya stopped sleeping. He writes all sorts of books, stories...
But where to publish? It seems that almost all publishing houses are liquidated. And bookstores, many of them, have been redesigned.
And those publishers, which still remain, they do not want to know Vanya. Sometimes Vanya gets the impression that they look at him as an idiot. It is clear that this is only an impression. And this impression does not always appear.
Vanya does not give up. There are no publishing houses? I will be published on Internet platforms. Now people not go to bookstores, and on Internet platforms look for interesting works. There is an interesting book - they buy it on the Internet platform, and an author receives an own bit of money. And it is very good for all.
Vanya places his books on the Internet platform. It seems that his works are popular.
He, for example, published a collection of stories. Immediately, some radio station announced the release of its collection with a similar name.
Or, let's say, he called his book a certain name, and another radio station launched a cycle of radio broadcasts under an almost identical name.
Someone doesn't work so clumsily. They make this more elegantly - they change their theme. They are changing accents, use some specific speech patterns or semantic bundles.
From outside, maybe, and not very clear, but Vanya feels coincidence. And somehow there are a lot of these coincidences.
What relation do these Internet platforms have to radio stations?
It is curious that one of persons during a broadcast gave an example: from his book the phrase got to a performance of the great person almost without changes. But, of course, without a naming of the author. Whether with self-irony the radio-personality spoke about it, whether with pride...
People read!
"Some people read other people...""We have a reading country!"- understood Vanya. And he wrote a letter (request) to the Internet platform: how much money should he receive in exchange of his works posted on the Internet platform.
The answer came. On his financial account - 5 kopeks. But transfers to the author can be made only if the amount in his financial account reaches 500 US dollars.
Vanya thinks: why to me this Internet platform? What to me a sense? And why for this Internet platform my works are necessary?
He requests to close his internet account. But the Internet platform does not want this. Sends Vanya by circles. Strange... Why to this Internet platform a such "unprofitable" author?
Yet Vanya achieved his goal. "I will publish my works for free! Let everyone read! We have now the time not of Alexander I and not of Nicholas I, and - a quite different."
Vanya publishes his works, using an Internet hostings (services) for free publications and for free general reading.
Gradually he began to receive letters by e-mail.
People feel themselves lovers and patrons of modern Russian literature.
"You, Vanya, ought to make a mark in the literature! Publish Your work in (our) collection! This collection will go to the book exhibition! Your works will be read not just a much, and it is A LOT OF people".
Vanya thought ... and agreed. He prepared a story for publication in the collection.
A little headache: reviewers, discussion, a fulfilling of some additional rules and requirements... But what you will not bear for the sake of modern Russian literature.
Finally, the collection is ready for publication. All participants of the collection made their financial contributions. Now there is a matter in Vanya. A bit of an unpleasant turn of events. In article about Pushkin such a not mentioned. Pushkin gave his works for publication and sale. And he received a silver rubles. And here you give your story and pay your own money in addition.
"You understand!"- people from among the organizers of the collection convince Vanya . - "We are not just lovers of literature. We are the organizers of modern Russian literature. We even receive a governmental grants for the development of modern Russian literature. So, hold on to us with both hands and quickly pay your bit of money for the publication of the collection."
Vanya went to a microcredit organization and borrowed money to pay his contribution.
The collection came out and Vanya realized that it was not in vain.
A phone bell rang. It turned out, that his want to accept in writer's organization. They will issue a certificate, where it will be written that he is a writer (or something like that). Signatures, of course, not Shakespeare with Gogol will be in the certificate, but, on the other hand, there will be a round seal.
Vanya wrote and signed some papers, drank a couple of pills for headaches, and sent the papers to the right people.
Tomorrow should be a decision made. Concerning that he is a writer.
Suddenly a phone call: there is no receipt confirming the payment by Vanya of admission and membership fees.
Vanya was amazed. Pushkin in his time, stepped in some literary community. But the article did not mention any papers or any money. And who to pay? To Zhukovsky? To Alexander I? To Nicholas I?..
Vanya ran to the round-the-clock microcredit organization and borrowed more money there.
Before the decision-making that he is a writer, he paid a cash.
With "crusts" things went more funny.
The important person came to Vanya. He knows the Director of the Writer's Institute named after Thaddeus Bulgarin, and the editor-in-chief of the Writer's newspaper, established by a member of the state Duma Malinovsky before the revolution.
Different members of different public councils and development councils, can be said, to be sitting in his pocket.
Vanya, it turns out, is a notable literary figure. Significant modern Russian writer. It is necessary to consolidate achievements. To publish a solid book with a circulation of 3000 (three thousand) copies and put it forward for one of the numerous literary awards. Prize - 3000000 (three million) rubles. The important person read the works of Vanya, discussed them with the iconic figures of modern Russian literature, and guarantees for Vanya the award.
The agreement with one of the remained publishing houses is already reached upon the edition of the book by Vanya. Here contract for the edition.
Vanya was delighted. The important man left. Vanya began to read the contract.
It turned out that the publication of the book with a circulation of 3000 copies costs 1000000 (one million) rubles. Dearly. But, first, the services of a proofreader, and secondly, the work of an editor, and thirdly, the illustrations of the famous artist.
Vanya was sad. Past expenses plus interest on loans. Totally - the one million rubles. And for the edition of the book one more million is necessary.
Vanya took calculator. 3000000 (prize) - 1000000 (accumulated liabilities) - 1000000 (the cost of the edition of the new book "in order to receive an award") = 1000000 rubles.
The important man guaranteed the prize! He knows all the famous people of modern Russian literature. They confirmed it!
Vanya went to a bank and took 1,000,000 rubles (thanks to the "high people" - the interest rate was lowered by one and a half percent. A support was given).
He published a book. The book was quickly nominated for the award.
In the Writer's newspaper of the member of the State Duma Malinovsky a several positive reviews were passed.
The competition special was not - a lot of awards of different kinds. Is enough for all outstanding literary figures.
Before day of decision-making Vanya was visited again by the important person.
Russian literature becouse of a confluence of difficult circumstances is not in a simple position! A money are needed to support the activities of the writers ' Association (Vanya groped the certificate in his pocket).
Here are the signing papers. Sign up for three million. You will receive a half a million - in fact. Tomorrow the decision on winning of the award will be made and published. Everything is agreed. Full guarantees.
Vanya at first wasn't able to move by the hand. But, then, nevertheless, he took a pen. He signed. He counted the money. Really-one and a half million. Of rubles.
The important person left.
The new day came.
The radio reported that Vanya was awarded a literary prize for his new book. In the afternoon Vanya bought a newspaper with a publication about the award.
Some guy similar to Vanya came running, - Vanya was such a guy not very long ago. Transferred a package. In a package was lay the diploma about winning of the award and the invitation to a ceremony of delivery of the medal (similar an anniversary medal) confirming winning of the award.
Vanya hung the diploma on the wall. He put nearby the collection with own story and the own (independent) book.
He took out the certificate of the membership in literary association.
"Now I am a modern Russian writer!"
March 17, 2019 12:20
Translation from Russian into English: March 17, 2019 14:51.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский "Скетч о том, как Ваня Жуков стал современным российским писателем".