"What? Immature writing? Beautiful Alice, are you sure Zela editor said that, 'Jane Eyre' has immature writing?"
Alice nodded decisively.
Upon hearing this response, Kevin was simply astonished. "Jane Eyre," as Charlotte Brontë's masterpiece, caused a sensation in the literary world of the 19th century when it was first published. It irresistibly attracted tens of thousands of readers with its beauty, evoking an uncontrollable urge that drove people to pick up this book, subsequently deeply moved and profoundly touched in their souls.
Kevin couldn't understand why Zela, the editor, would call such a work immature in writing style.
"No, I have to go ask Zela the editor myself. Can you please show me the way?" Kevin requested.
Alice was a little hesitant, after all, the company had regulations that stated she couldn't bring someone to meet the editor unless it was a pre-arranged author.
"Even if it doesn't pass the publishing review, the manuscript should still be returned to me. Right? So, just think of it as taking me to retrieve the manuscript," Kevin continued.
Alice was touched by this persistent person, so she brought him to Zela's office.
"Alice, didn't you just go out? Why are you back again? Oh, who is this?" When Zela looked up, she saw another young person standing next to Alice.
Kevin had already guessed that this was Zela, the editor. So, without waiting for Alice to introduce him, he spoke up: "Respected Editor Zela, hello, I am a writer, the author of 'Jane Eyre.' I came here this time to discuss the publication of 'Jane Eyre' with you."
Zela glanced at Alice with a serious expression, giving her a warning that Alice should seek her opinion before bringing someone in.
"Oh, your 'Jane Eyre' does not meet the requirements of our publishing house. So, I'm sorry," Zela said directly.
"But respected editor Zela, I believe 'Jane Eyre' would be a classic work. The love depicted in it is so loyal, haven't you noticed?" Kevin defended his work.
"This... embrace, that's just your opinion, I don't think so." Zela hadn't seen anything in "Jane Eyre," so she could only respond like this. "Well, then please give me back the manuscript. Perhaps other publishers will share my view."Surprisingly, the other party failed to appreciate the unique writing style of "Jane Eyre," and Kevin did not want to pursue it further. He couldn't believe that there would be anyone who couldn't appreciate such a work.
This thick stack of manuscripts was printed using a week's worth of living expenses, so he had to take it back and could also submit it to other publishers.
For Kevin's family, a week's worth of living expenses is not easy to come by. That's why he doesn't want to waste too much.
Kevin's simple request instantly made Zela's face turn ugly. The reason being, that day she accidentally placed it directly in the area designated for disposal, and the company's janitor mistakenly disposed of it as waste paper. Now Kevin is asking her to retrieve the manuscript, she naturally feels very embarrassed.
"In fact, you really don't need to do this. Such a story is too cliché, I can assure you that no publishing house would be willing to publish such a work. So, you'd better..." Zela could only try to persuade the young man to give up on submitting further, so that he wouldn't ask for his manuscript back.
"Is that so? But esteemed Editor Zela, I believe 'Jane Eyre' will definitely be one of the best-selling books in England this year. Moreover, I am also participating in the literary competition organized by the London Literary Society. If I am not mistaken, I will be the champion of this literary competition. As you should know, every book written by the champion of this literary competition has been a bestseller." Kevin expressed his thoughts.
"What? London Literature Contest? Champion? Haha, I have to say, I admire your courage and confidence. But are you sure you can make it to the finals? You know, this literary competition is a showdown of literary geniuses."
As an editor, Zela naturally knew about this London literary competition. When she heard Kevin say he would be the champion of this competition, her opinion was the same as that of her teachers and classmates at the University of Edinburgh, all thinking that Kevin was overestimating himself, living in a fantasy world.
"Wait and see, time will prove everything. Oh, respected editor Zela, please give me back my manuscript, okay?" Kevin requested again.
The Dehay Publishing House surprisingly showed no interest in "Jane Eyre," and Kevin didn't want to waste any more time. He might as well take back his manuscript early and submit it to another publisher.
The manuscript of "Jane Eyre" has been destroyed, so Zela naturally cannot produce it. At this point, she could only tell the truth: "I'm sorry, your manuscript was thrown into the trash by our janitor the day before yesterday. However, I still stand by what I said, perhaps no publishing house will be willing to publish this work. And it was a manuscript that I reviewed, do you understand?"
Zela's words meant that even as a well-known editor in the publishing industry, she didn't want her own manuscripts reviewed, and other editors might not be too interested either.
Kevin heard the news and felt extremely angry. However, being in England, he tried his best to maintain a gentlemanly demeanor.
The manuscript had been thrown into the trash by Zela, and he didn't want to ask for it back. Besides, as a British man, he should maintain his composure. A wise man once told him: when someone doubts you, prove with facts how capable you truly are.
As Kevin walked out of the Dehay Publishing House, he silently vowed in his heart: he would definitely make the other regret their actions today.
Sitting in the office, Zela just disdainfully remarked, "Becoming the champion of the London Literature Competition? Making it to the semi-finals would already be a miracle for you." "What a waste, spent a week's worth of living expenses for nothing," Kevin sighed.
However, Kevin was not disappointed by this. It might be because he was used to setbacks in his past life, so this kind of blow was nothing to him at all.
Besides, he was very clear in his heart that the publication of "Jane Eyre" was only a matter of time. By then, those who looked down on him would all regret it one by one.
Having figured everything out, Kevin suddenly felt much brighter in his heart. He took the bus back to school, intending to think about which publishing house to submit "Jane Eyre" to next.
But when I returned to school, I found a large group of classmates gathered together, seemingly discussing something.
"Is it Augustine's father giving the speech again? Didn't he just come a few days ago?"
No, Kevin suddenly realized that his classmates were crowding around the notice board of the University of Edinburgh, as if today the school had announced some major good news.
