Stardom Reset: From Washed-Up Actor To Global Superstar

It wasn’t an afterthought that Michael and Bob had scheduled to meet with Niall two days later.

Within the span of those days leading up to their meeting with him, they had done some thorough digging on their part.

Obviously, the goal had been to know whom exactly this Niall Parker was and how he’d come to know of the state of their company.

For the latter, they were unable to find or figure out how, even after questioning their trusted employees.

As for the former,

Some part of them had been quite surprised to find out that he was an actor who--albeit had a shoddy and poor filmography--seemed to be pretty well off.

The other part was genuinely baffled as to how he had literally next to no media presence given his profession.

Asides from promoting a couple movies and series here and there which he had been in, and the rare few obscure magazines he had modelled for, there wasn’t much to write home about Niall Parker.

That, unfortunately, had left them with no trail to follow or pick up on.

As a result, they had resorted to brainstorming reasons as to why he had approached them, instead of their more resourceful and financially buoyant counterparts.

And after ruminating over it for practically an entire day, they had distilled it down to two core reasons.

One, he needed the book published as fast as possible.

Two, he wanted to retain higher creative control and involvement in the proceedings of the book.

If it was the case of the first, Michael and Bob figured they could at least be rest assured they would get the rights to the book.

If it was the second, then they knew they were in for a heated meeting where their patience would be seriously tested.

With that in mind, both had come fully prepared to negotiate like the responsible businessmen and adults that they were--

”45%. And I get to keep the rights to my IP.”

”That’s preposterous!” Bob’s eyes widened in disbelief, the words already shooting out of him like a spark in dry tinder.

His outburst certainly drew a couple eyes in their direction, albeit it wasn’t completely unwarranted.

Considering how normal industry standards went, the young man’s demands were quite frankly, devious, to say the least.

Niall on the other hand, levelled him a blasé stare.

Then he spoke;

”I don’t think you’re at a liberty to go about this by normal industry standards,”

Though Bob knew Niall was right, he still couldn’t help but level him a fierce glare in return.

Michael on the other hand, after clearing his throat, glanced over to his friend with a cautioning stare and then turned to face the young actor;

”Pardon Bob,”

”He can get a bit... heated, when it involves the company,” the CEO smile politely, to which he then explained;

”Still, he’s right,”

”I can understand wanting to keep the intellectual property of your work given how much potential it has but,”

”45%, even for the most renowned authors, just isn’t feasible for the company in the long run,”

Listening to the man speak, Niall nodded quietly.

Typical industry standards went for 10% to 15% in royalties for the authors, with the rest going to the publisher, which were bound to incur production costs and also settle their retailers.

In fact, that 10% to 15% royalty usually came after the advance paid to the author had been earned out by the publishing company.

Gradually, as book sales increased though, these royalties were equally bound to increase.

But even then, the upper ceiling for higher royalty pays usually stopped around 15% to 20%. A rare 25% if the author was particularly renowned.

However, it rarely ever went any higher than that.

And this was only considering retail sales for paperbacks and hardcovers.

E-books on the other hand, alongside all the other digitally published formats were another ball game of negotiations entirely... though they often tended to have higher royalty rates for the author, usually in the range of 25% to 50%.

Still, a good chunk of retail royalties came in the form of bulk sales and preorders from big retailers.

Retailers that the publishing company themselves would have to settle to get their published product onto their shelves, several storefronts and big supermarkets.

So, when considering all that, alongside the costs the publishing company would ultimately accrue to equally print, market and distribute the book, the supposed 75% to 85% they got, usually ended up being whittled to about 30% to 35% when all was said and done.

Hence, Niall requesting for 45% was essentially a death sentence for the publishing company as they would not only make next to no profit, but also, incur some pretty steep losses over time.

Taking into consideration that Feyre Publications was also barely staying afloat, Bob’s reaction was even more understandable.

But it’s not as if Niall hadn’t known all this.

Honestly, he had just stated that bogus percentage with the intent of setting the playing field in an effort to remind the duo that he was the one with the cards here, not them.

Thankfully, Bob had taken the bait.

As a result, they would now be more inclined to rethink any negotiations on their end properly before they spoke.

”So, Mr. O’Bryan,” Niall casually reclined into his chair, his poker face on.

”What do you suggest is a fitting middle ground?” he placed the ball in the CEO’s court.

Hearing that, Michael couldn’t help but feel the subterfuge at play.

From the inception, the young man had already known what to expect.

The fact that Bob had fell so blatantly for his obvious trap, also hadn’t helped.

Now, they were in a state where they were more inclined to please him than anything else.

Which was why,

’If I get too greedy and try to shortchange him, he’ll most definitely retaliate by hiking up the royalties without mercy... or worse still, cancel this entire meeting.’

’If I try to play to his tune and overcompensate though, he’ll surely capitalize on it.’ Michael rhythmically tapped a finger on the glass table.

’Which leaves me with a proper middle ground, one where I’m forced to do this by the book with no disingenuity,’

’I have to say, he’s thought this out quite well,’

Inwardly sighing to himself, especially since they needed this more than he was comfortable admitting, the CEO declared;

”20%. You get to keep your IP rights.”

”25%. I get to keep my IP rights. No upfront advance.” Niall did him one better... if it could even be called that in the grand scheme of things.

Bob simply looked from the CEO to the young actor, the tension in the air palpable.

Quietly staring at the young man whose poker face remained unreadable, Michael then let out thin, cordial smile as he extended a handshake;

”You have yourself a deal, Mr. Parker. We can have the contract signed tomorrow at the office.”

Reciprocating the smile, Niall took the handshake, his grip firm as he responded;

”I look forward to it, and to working with Feyre Publications, Mr. O’Bryan.”

With that, the tension surrounding the trio slowly, but gradually dissipated. Casually, Michael called out to the waitress, informing them that they would like to order.

A couple minutes later, their dishes were brought, its visual, appetizing and the smell, delectable.

As they dined, Bob kept peeking glances at Niall, wondering if he should just go ahead and ask now that they’d moved away from the mighty-thin ice they were previously on.

Imagine his surprise when Michael just went ahead and asked instead;

”How did you know about the state of our company?”

”I’m not telling you that,” Niall casually replied, almost as if he’d been expecting it.

”But I promise you, I have no ill will towards Feyre Publications whatsoever,” he stated, his tone of choice honest.

”Still, if you’re feeling particularly untrusting, you can add a non-disclosure agreement to the contract. Just for good measure,” he gestured with a shrug of his shoulders.

”I am feeling particularly untrusting, I’ll have you know.” Michael replied without missing a beat, a thin smile on his lips.

”Be my guest,” Niall simply replied in kind.

And for a while, all three resumed dining in comfortable silence.

That was until Bob broke it.

”I have a couple questions,” he began, fingers interlocked as he stared straight into Niall’s cool-gray irises.

”Why us? Why Feyre Publications?”

To that, Niall considered giving an expected answer.

One he assumed the CEO and editor-in-chief may have settled on themselves.

However, after thinking it over a bit more, he thought better of it.

Instead, he went down the honest route.

”I just have a lot of goodwill towards your company.” he vaguely said, a genuine smile tugging on the corners of his lips as he popped a small piece of steak into his mouth.

Michael and Bob, both of whom hadn’t expected that response, glanced over to each other in a mild mix of perplexed curiosity.

However, inferring that the young man wasn’t willing to expatiate any further, Bob simply pushed on with his other question;

”How many books are you planning?”

”Given where [The Token of Fate] ended, I can’t help but be curious,” he added, his tone genuinely curious.

”Four,” Niall replied, a thin smile stretching across his lips.

Before the editor-in-chief could request for an expatiation, the young man took the initiative;

”[The Spire of Fate], comes immediately after. Then, [The Tree of Fate] rounds up the trilogy.”

”The last will be a prequel to the first book focusing on Rayleigh. I intend to name it, [The Hero of Fate].” Niall concluded with a nostalgic smile.

After all, the so called [The Hero of Fate] book he intended to write, was originally titled [The Token of Fate] before his regression.

However, for Michael and Bob, the look of excitement on their features was unmistakable.

[The Token of Fate] had a staggering amount of potential to become the next juggernaut. Of that much, they were certain.

However, if Niall could truly make the other books he’d planned out as good as the first, they more than anyone knew how much of a gold mine it could become.

”You... you’ve really thought this through, huh?” Bob couldn’t help but say, a faint smile tugging on the edges of his lips.

’That I have.’ Niall responded in kind.

Following that, the trio simply went back to eating their meals.

Soon enough, they were done dining.

Thanking them for the meal, along with observing all the necessary pleasantries, Niall was out of the restaurant a couple minutes later.

As he made his way towards his car, his phone buzzed with a notification from his messenger app.

Retrieving the device from his pocket, a light smile bloomed on the young man’s features as he read the message from David.

-

David: What’s up, big dog! Just wanted to inform you that we’ve finally rounded up filming for the movie! Now it’s full speed to post-production.

Niall: Glad to hear it, man. Trust you didn’t forget to do the thing! Oh, and send my regards to Emily.

-

Having sent that text, Niall slipped the phone into his pocket and opened the door to his car.

Considering he’d estimated about nine months before he’d finally be able to get his book out in bookshops, Niall was quite certain that it would coincide with the theatrical release of [The Promised Queen].

That, from the very first day he’d began writing the book, had been one of his goals.

After all, what other moment was there to capitalize on your fame than when you were set to be in the spotlight.

Advance Chapters are available on Patreon!

/Caer07