[Chapter 105: Sales]
The following day, the crew of The Blair Witch Project gathered, with Danny DeVito and Sofia leading their respective teams to begin filming.
After attending the film's launch event in Los Angeles, Link joined the promotional team for Interstellar, setting off on a tour of major American cities to hold book signings.
As a celebrity, he experienced a surge in interest with the release of his new book, which had received endorsements from renowned science fiction authors and other famous personalities. These three favorable factors contributed to skyrocketing popularity for Interstellar.
The novel's sales started climbing, with 50,000 copies sold in the first week, bringing it into the limelight of the book world and drawing attention to its author, Link. In the second week, the publishing company ramped up marketing efforts and Link held more signing events, further boosting sales.
They sold 217,000 copies in the second week, instantly landing it at number four on the New York Times Best Sellers list. Given the current sales trend, the projected sales for Interstellar in its first month exceeded 800,000 copies, with an expected total of five million copies sold within the next year.
According to the contract he signed with the publisher, he earned a 15% royalty on sales. The hardcover edition of Interstellar sold for $52, while the paperback went for $42. He would see approximately $360,000 for selling 50,000 copies, and if he sold 500,000, his cut would reach $3.6 million. With sales of five million, he'd pocket a staggering $36 million -- more than many films made.
Additionally, the book's success meant that the film and gaming rights would become highly valuable. If he chose not to direct, selling them to another film company would still yield a significant profit. So, whenever a publisher invited him for promotional events, he made every effort to attend.
Thanks to his diligent work with the publishing company, the influence of Interstellar in the U.S. grew rapidly. Even those in the entertainment industry began to take notice of Link's recent success as a bestselling science fiction author.
...
"Link, did you really write Interstellar?" Quentin Tarantino called him in a flurry during a book signing at the Louisville Public Library.
"Yeah, did you get a chance to read it?" Link answered.
"No way! How could you possibly write this? You're constantly busy, shooting films, managing your company, and dating. Where do you find the time to write a book? And it's not short either?!"
Tarantino pressed him.
"I remember someone once said that time is like water in a sponge; you just have to squeeze a little to get some. After finishing my daily work, I carve out a few hours to write. I managed to crank out a few thousand words each day, so it took me about six months to finish this book -- not too quick, really."
Link chuckled.
"Seriously? You can't even rest after a long day's work, and yet you squeeze in time to write a bestseller?!"
"Of course! What else would I do with my free time after work?"
"You could drink, watch TV, or play cards. Isn't that enough?"
"That sounds like a waste of life."
"Hmph! You're insufferable! You direct hit films, clinch annual box office crowns, and now you've become a bestselling author at just 20! What are we supposed to do with our lives?"
Tarantino's frustration was palpable over the line.
"I think you're close to thirty now. That doesn't really count as being the same age, does it?"
"Fuck off!"
Tarantino hung up angrily, but not long after, he sent Link a text, congratulating him on the book's success and saying he owed him a drink.
...
Besides Quentin, Steven Soderbergh, Robert Rodriguez, Tim Robbins, Jim Carrey, and other notable figures like Bruce Willis and Harvey Weinstein also called to congratulate him on his new book.
Some praised the fantastic quality of the book, while others asked when he'd be back in Los Angeles for a signature. After becoming a bestselling author, it seemed everyone was more eager to reach out.
...
Jennifer Connelly called several times after the release of Interstellar, elatedly saying how wonderful the book was. She read it five times and still found it engaging, asking how he managed to create such an impressive science fiction novel.
Link joked that he must be an alien, as she was dating and fooling around with one.
Jennifer laughed heartily at that, admitting he could be an alien because he was ambitious and driven in all aspects, quite unlike a "normal" person. She also inquired when he'd return to Los Angeles, clearly eager to date him -- even if he was, in her words, an alien.
Link mentioned he would come back for the weekend.
...
When Monica called him for the first time, she said she had nothing to do in Los Angeles and asked if she could accompany him to the signing events, to see a bit of the city with him.
Link agreed.
Once Monica flew over, she acted as his assistant, helping him manage some of the workload and caring for his needs, being more thoughtful than ever before.
...
By the third week after the release of Interstellar, it sold 426,000 copies across the states.
It climbed to the third spot on the New York Times Best Sellers list, only behind Robert James Waller's new work, The Bridges of Madison County, and John Gray's relationship guide, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus.
The cumulative sales reached 690,000 copies, surpassing the publisher's initial predictions by over 100,000 copies. It was evident that the book was genuinely well-received, and readers enjoyed it.
With expectations that it would sell one million copies within the first month, Link found himself facing disbelief from some.
...
"Why is Link writing books now? He's a director! How could this mediocre book be so popular? Are people just not thinking for themselves?"
In a cafe, Robert Downey Jr. grimaced as he read about Link's success in the Los Angeles Times.
"Maybe. Link never went to college and his education level is not high. The movies he made are all B-grade movies with no cultural connotations. Those uneducated people like to watch them. The same is true for Interstellar," Keifer Sutherland chimed in.
Actor David Duchovny nodded in agreement, validating their opinions.
"Are you guys serious?" Julia Roberts set her coffee spoon down, addressing them.
"Since the release of Interstellar, Larry Niven, Arthur C. Clarke, and numerous university professors have recommended this book, praising its high quality. Yet, you say it's terrible and only for the uneducated? Have any of you even read it?"
"We don't need to. How could Link -- who never even finished college -- write anything worthwhile? Just because professors recommend it, doesn't mean it's gold. If the money's right, I could have the President endorse my film."
Robert Downey Jr. scoffed disdainfully.
"Wow, that's incredible. When Chaplin was released, you brought half the entertainment industry for promotions, but why not ask the President for help? Afraid it would bomb and you'd lose your investment?"
Julia Roberts laughed sarcastically.
"Julia, shut it!"
Keifer Sutherland shot her an unyielding glare.
*****
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