In recent years, Internet literature has grown at an incredible speed. The daily visiting figures of three literature websites belonging to Shengda Internet Company was close to 400 million, and there were close to a thousand writers composing articles for Shengda everyday. A successful Internet writer could earn 1 million USD a year.

Look at the figures:
—— A daily average of more than 1100 people composed novels for "the starting point of Chinese Website" belonging to Shengda Literature.
—— Every day, the updated contents of this site was more than 34 million words and the daily visiting figures of Shengda Literary was close to 400 million.
——35 million users became loyal fans of Shengda, in which 4 million users were willing to pay for the service.
—— Reader's enthusiasm brought rich profits for Internet writers. In 2008, an Internet writer named "I eat tomato" working for "the starting point of Chinese Website" earned more than 2 million yuan. Besides him, another 10 Internet writers for this website earned more than 1 million in annual revenue last year.
—— The "Sixth National Reading Survey" released this April showed surprising data: The reading ratio of adult users of digital media such as online reading and mobile phones accounted for 24.5 %, in which there were about 2.8% of people preferring only to read digital media over paper-based books.

"Every figure is so stunning." Zhang Kangkang Vice-Chairman of the China Writers Association expressed, "In the past, it would take a few months before a book could be published. But today because of Internet literature, as long as you can lightly click a button a great many titles are available to enjoy reading."

Many traditional literature writers have been touched by the Internet literature trend. A few days ago, noted writer Wang Meng was appointed as consultant for Shengda Internet Company. In addition, there were 10 writers including Haiyan, Yan Gelin , Zhou Meisen, Lan Xiaolong and so on, who signed contracts with "the starting point of Chinese Website". Wang Shuo and Yu Hua also intended to try Internet writing this year. Hou Xiaoqiang, CEO of Shengda Literature confidently told reporters: "This is very helpful in enriching this type of online fiction."

Chinese Internet Literature has also attracted international attention. The world's largest international book fair — Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany sent their invitation to Shengda. Hou Xiaoqiang said, "This expo is now communicating with Shengda Literature, planning to introduce Chinese Internet Literature as a major project for this book fair in October."

Promising future for the new business favorite

"I am crazy for the network fictions!" Since 2004, Ling Hu, a University student became a fan of the Internet novel. "I think those original articles are very creative. I often spend a whole day indulging myself in reading the Internet novels. It is really a big-time for me."

In order to be able to read the latest works of writers, Ling Hu bought a prepaid card and established an account paying for readership. "Sometimes, the fascinating plot forced me to go ahead and spend several dollars a month which was not expensive at all", said Ling Hu.

Ling Hu perhaps did not expect that when she clicked the mouse, what she touched was actually the key to the Internet Literature industry chain. On literature websites like Shengda, popular works would be placed on "VIP shelves". A reading fee of 2 to 3 cents per thousand words will be charged starting form a certain section of the article. Most of the authors share profits with Internet companies. If an author can complete a certain amount of update words per month, he will get a "basic salary". It is learned that VIP users of the three websites belonging to Shengda spent an average of 50 yuan per person per month. Last year, 1400 writers' revenues exceeded 10 thousand yuan.

Who is keen to read Internet literature? According to statistics, 30% users of Shengda Literature site come from overseas; more than 69% have college degree; 55% users' monthly income are over 3,000 yuan.

Hou Xiaoqiang said that on the one hand, the rapid development of the Internet stimulated the increase of Internet users in China. On the other hand, people were willing to pay for good original Internet works, which made reading Internet literature become a new way of life. "Although there were over 10 million alternative websites providing free pirate novels to read, users are still willing to pay to read. This shows their conscience of supporting China's copyright."

"Copyright", this is Hou Xiaoqiang's most frequently mentioned word. "We do not consider ourselves as a literature website. We will strive to work as a pioneer and promoter for the operation of China's Internet literature copyright. We hope that we could become the Chinese Hollywood." Despite all the controversy, Shengda literature signed copyright agreements with 4000 authors and took charge of copyright related work.

At the same time, online game operators considered the Internet novel as their new favorite. A few days ago, the game adaptation copyright of novel <dragon> produced by "I eat tomato" sold for three million yuan.

The film and television industry also saw business opportunities. The Shanghai TV Festival and Shanghai International Film Festival set their sights on Shengda literature. Hou Xiaoqiang told reporters that the two sides have signed a strategic cooperation agreement. A venture capital conference will be held, and our scripts will be sold in the Festival. Leadership from the National Film Board, foreign writers and directors will be present. The future of Internet literature is so promising!

By People's Daily Online