Stardom Reset: From Washed-Up Actor To Global Superstar

The enticing scent of caramel coffee wafted through the air of Niall’s apartment.

Peering through the limpid glass of his windows, the blinds fully raised, the young man raised the cup of coffee to his lips.

Two weeks had passed by since the young actor had completed his novel.

During that time, Niall had been hard at work, editing, proofreading and repeating the cycle one too many times.

One could say that the [Token of Fate] had been refined to its best possible state, such that if he were to simply self-publish it, not a single error would be caught in the work.

Considering he’d also employed his hyper-focused state via the Gift of True Aptitude to do it, it was only natural that what would take an in-house editorial months to do, he’d achieved it at an infinitely faster rate.

That said, having mailed a copy of the manuscript to his parents last week, Niall was in an extremely good mood as he listened to them gush over the phone;

”Darlin’! The book was amazing!” his mother’s voice rang with such cherubism from the other end of the line, Niall’s smile couldn’t help but widen into a small grin.

”I’ve read a lot of novels in my life given my profession, and I’ll tell you, yours is really something else! I couldn’t stop reading it!”

”Next thing your father and I knew, the roosters were crowing!” she added with a genuine tone of amazement to which Niall audibly chuckled in amusement.

”Son, how did you even come up with this... on such an expansive scale, with such an amazing story, and such great and memorable characters?” his father’s voice came from the other end with a rare awe that Niall hadn’t heard in forever.

”I mean, you’d briefed us about the plot and all, but still, seeing it written down and brought to life on paper... it was a completely different experience. I’m so proud of you.” the swell of pride in Clark’s chest was evident through his voice.

”Thank you, Pa.” Niall’s eyes crinkled with warmth, a beautiful smile blooming on his features.

”So, when are you going to publish it? Rather, how are you planning to publish it?” Clark curiously inquired.

”I’m working on it. Might take a year though, given I won’t be going down the route of self-publishing.” Niall replied, his tone relaxed.

”Alright then, son. Let us know if you need anything,” he warmly said, to which Claire chipped in cheerily;

”We might be ’Luddites’ as you and Camille so thoughtfully put it but we can still help to spread the word around here!”

Niall’s eyes widened in realization upon hearing that, almost sputtering on his coffee.

Then he demanded of his mother in a mix of disbelief and genuine amusement;

”That shameless businesswoman... what else did you two discuss behind my back?”

”Not much, darlin’. Just questions like if she was into you and was willing to have mini Niall’s and Camille’s.” Claire’s reply came so casually, Niall was stunned and short of words to say.

Then he exploded with a furious blush;

”Ma!”

His parents burst into laughter from the other end of the line.

Following that, they soon shifted topics and discussed more mundane things till eventually, they figured they all had things to do.

Promising to call them again soon and keep them updated on the state of things, Niall hung up.

Almost immediately, he sifted through his contacts and sent a certain someone a text.

-

Niall: You shameless businesswoman...

-

Niall hadn’t even exited the messenger app when the reply came almost instantaneously.

-

Camille: At your service, sire. To what do I owe this pleasure? Perhaps you have a job for me? Mama needs her bags!

-

Seeing her reply, Niall was only more certain of his decision to refer to her as she did.

-

Niall:I do.

Camille: Golly! My stars have aligned!

Niall: But first,

Camille: Uh oh...

Niall: What’s this I hear about you and my mum having a tête-à-tête?

Camille: Hohoho! Sorry, sugah. That’s classified information. But for only $1000--

Niall: I’m not paying for it.

Camille: Tch.

-

Niall couldn’t help but chuckle amusedly.

The lady’s upbeat nature was contagious he’d admit. It only made sense that she and his mother would get along.

That said,

-

Niall: I need a couple cover illustrations for my book. Think you’re up for it?

Camille: Sure. Just guide me on what you want and I’ll bring your vision to life. Also, a copy of the book would be nice for reference.

Niall: [The Token of Fate.doc].

Camille:Interesting name. Count me intrigued.

Niall: Glad to hear it. I’ll send you a couple reference arts too.

Camille: That would be great. And my bags, good sire?

Camille: No seriously, we should discuss payments. I wouldn’t want you to think I’d want to half-ass this because of our familiarity.

Niall: I understand.

-

Although the young actor wanted to inform the lady that she in fact wouldn’t need to worry about payments given he was quite buoyant--at least by his standards--he figured she knew, but wanted to maintain some metric of professionalism to their interactions nonetheless.

A few minutes later, after settling on a middle-ground that suited both of them, Niall tucked the smartphone into his pocket.

Taking in the quiet, suburban skyline of San Fernando, his thoughts were already shifting.

At first, he’d considered self-publishing [The Token of Fate].

Considering it would allow him executive control over most things and a higher royalty pay, it would also mean a whole lot of investment on his part. Investment that he really wasn’t willing to make at the moment.

However, if he went down the traditional route, albeit he might not retain the full rights to his work coupled with a much lower royalty pay, all of the costs and investments required to publish and market the book would be entirely lifted off of his head.

Added to that, whereas self-publishing would limit his reach and audience to primarily online stores, traditional publishing would ensure that his book reached a wide, massive--possibly even nationwide--library and audience, all independent of simply being accessible on online retail stores.

The cons would probably come with lesser royalties... but it would simultaneously bring him a lot of acclaim and popularity.

Besides, who was to say he couldn’t decide to self-publish a book later on and monopolize most of the profits after garnering enough popularity.

However, given Niall’s goal was to become a commodity that broke the system, one that simply couldn’t be ignored in Hollywood, that was a more fitting decision for him to come to.

As a result, he’d settled for traditional publishing.

But even then, the young actor wasn’t planning to simply jump into the fray and go about things by industry standards.

Glancing over to the manuscript on his center table where a printed copy of his manuscript lay with the Gift of Discernment, Niall watched for a while as a striking platinum exuded from it.

Honestly, he was still floored by it.

When he’d assessed the rough outline for the novel three and a half months ago, it had been a solid golden hue with flickering streaks of platinum.

But then again, a rough outline and a completed work were two entirely different things.

By refining his ideas for the novel over and over for the past couple months, Niall hadn’t realized just how much he’d improved his novel by leaps and bounds.

In a way, it was a testament to the book’s worth, and equally his parent’s praises, one he had wholly believed weren’t just empty considering the grade the novel was currently at.

That was also why, Niall wasn’t the least bit interested in allowing anyone to shortchange him.

Big publishing companies would simply eat him alive if he proceeded to pitch his book to them.

Middle-grade publishing companies would probably try to curry favor at the onset and then backstab him later when they’d made a good buck off of him.

But struggling publishing companies... now those were bound to be loyal to a certain degree.

Granted it didn’t validate they would be any better when they finally reached a similar height to their more renowned counterparts, it at would at least give Niall the foresight to jump ships if they proceeded to move mad.

That was why Niall had settled on seeking them out.

Besides, it also played well into his decision to seek out opportunities from places or establishments that hadn’t exactly seen the light of day in his past.

And after sifting through his memories for the past couple of minutes, he’d eventually settled on one publishing company whom had been on their last legs.

It had also been the only company whom had been willing to publish his book before his regression.

Feyre Publications.

Sadly, they had were bought out in a hostile takeover by another company before they could even send him a contract.

Luckily for him though, they resided here in LA.

Downing the last of his coffee which had gotten deathly cold by now, Niall’s phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket.

Retrieving the device, the young actor’s gaze narrowed into a squint as he stared at his agent’s name on the screen.

Advance Chapters are available on Patreon!

/Caer07