Chapter 98

【It's a strong push, and old bookworms know this is a very critical period, looking forward to everyone's recommendation votes~】

"Lin, this is our board chairman, Mr. Martinson, who will accompany you to launch the new book promotion activities and the release ceremony."

Alex is a mid-level leader in the Penguin Publishing Group, not very powerful, but he manages the most important publishing line of the Penguin Publishing Group—the Penguin Classics series.

There are countless authors who want to join this series, but few can meet his standards. The number of slots each year is even left vacant, preferring quality over quantity.

Lin Han looked at the smiling Martinson-Robert and smiled, "It is an honor to have you attend our release ceremony."

Martinson, who could sit in the chairman's position, is naturally no ordinary person. On the first day of the London Book Fair, he must personally oversee the event to outshine other booths and attract more attention.

"Hey, young man, I have read your science fiction novel. We all believe this book has greater potential and should have a chance at the Nebula Award this year. We will do our best to help you, and you may need to attend a few events."

Lin Han was slightly surprised by this topic. This was originally one of the key factors for his signing, but to openly discuss it seemed a bit unexpected.

The Penguin Publishing Group has extensive connections in various book publishing fields. Their full efforts can even influence the nomination for the Nobel Prize in Literature, let alone the awards for science fiction novels.

"I, RBT" has now become a part of the Penguin Classics series. If it enters the nomination list of high-profile awards like the Nebula Award, it will undoubtedly boost sales significantly.

No matter how you look at it, this is a win-win situation. Good books also need promotion.

Lin Han laughed heartily, "I hope so. It would be best to get a nomination."

"You will achieve your dream," Martinson said confidently. They might not be able to influence the award results, but getting the novel onto the nomination list is not difficult. The novel is already very outstanding.

At this moment, a staff member came over and whispered, "It's time. Everyone, get ready. Our release ceremony is about to start. Everyone knows the procedure, right?"

"OK"

"No problem"

"Remember."

Thus, under the simple stage, many journalists were ready with their cameras, and some tourists also gathered curiously to watch the commotion. They took out their phones to start taking photos and recording, as it's not often they get to see a book release ceremony.

To promote this book, the Penguin Publishing Group also invited some well-known figures in the science fiction world to the scene, including the head of the BBC Science Channel, a physics professor from the University of Cambridge, the director of the Computer and Automation Laboratory at Stanford University, and robotics experts, showing great respect.

"Today, we are honored to announce that this science fiction novel from China, 'I, RBT,' has officially joined the Penguin Classics family and will be globally promoted using the traditional small black book printing method!"

On stage, Lin Han mostly followed the host's instructions, doing whatever he was told, feeling a bit nervous as it was his first time at a release ceremony.

As Martinson spoke, the journalists on the scene became restless. Most of the journalists covering the book fair are familiar with the industry, but a Chinese science fiction novel entering the Penguin Classics series is an achievement that many European and American science fiction writers have not accomplished!

But now was not the time for interviews, so the journalists began to whisper to each other. They originally thought it was just a regular release ceremony, but the treatment this book received was so good that they had countless questions they wanted to ask.

At this moment, Lin Han took the microphone, looked around, and quickly said, "I am very happy to join such an important series. This book tells the story of the development of robots, which have their own psychology and thinking. How did they come into being and how do they work and live with humans? I think this is what 'I, RBT' wants to bring to everyone as a hypothesis."

"However, no matter how much I say, it's not as good as you reading it yourself. I believe this is a very good book. Amazon readers have already proven this, and we are very happy to work with a Chinese science fiction writer." Alex also praised the novel, as this was all true, with overwhelming positive reviews.

When the interview session began, Lin Han became a bit nervous. He had never been surrounded by so many journalists before, and he even felt that the journalists looked at him like wolves looking at a sheep.

Generally, writers are good at writing but not at speaking.

Alex temporarily took on the role of a press officer, randomly pointing to a journalist and handing him the microphone.

"Sir, I am a journalist from The Times. It is often said that Chinese science fiction is a vast desert. Your book has already received 40,000 reviews on Amazon. What do you think is the difference between Chinese science fiction and European and American science fiction?"

The subtle sense of superiority made Lin Han a bit uncomfortable. He controlled his emotions and answered, "After the efforts of several generations of science fiction writers, we have transformed from a desert into an oasis. Now, Chinese science fiction is thriving and receiving more and more attention. In the future, Chinese science fiction will certainly produce influential works and gradually form influential intellectual products."

The calm and composed answer earned a mental thumbs-up from Chen Jiaxuan. Since the other party described it as a desert, the current situation in China is that the oasis is expanding, while Europe and America are becoming more desert-like.

"I am a journalist from the Daily Mirror. You previously participated in an event in our newspaper. Can you explain what 'God is dying' means?"

As soon as the journalist asked, the audience and tourists couldn't help but look sideways. They were mostly British, and they had all followed the Daily Mirror's essay contest. Now they learned that these widely spread three words were written by a young Chinese writer, which was quite surprising.

"Are you sure it's him? It's unbelievable."

"Damn, the interview preparation was not comprehensive enough, and I forgot such an important thing."

"If that's the case, then 'The Last Earthling' was also written by him? I now want to buy his book. If he can combine a few words so well, the book must be very good."

"Written by a Chinese person? I don't believe it."

"What good science fiction can a yellow monkey write? I also doubt it."

"The Mirror's journalist has spoken, so they must have confirmed it. To be honest, I never thought a writer from China would write science fiction. Have you read their articles?"

...

The buzzing sounds reached Lin Han's ears. He didn't expect that a casual participation in an event would attract so much attention.

After all, this is in the UK, where the Daily Mirror has a significant influence. If it were in the US, perhaps not many people would know the result of this event.

Regardless, Lin Han had to seriously answer the journalist's question, "In fact, that story is just as it sounds, God is dying. You can interpret it however you like. Gentlemen, please focus your interviews on our book, okay?"

...

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