SDL Forges ahead with Online B2B Promotion of Original Chinese Writing to Global Buyers

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Shanda Literature Ltd (SDL) reportedly recently paid over $878,300 (6m yuan) to purchase the rights to 100+ novels presented at its SDL Original Writing Expo in Xi’an.

SDL reportedly shelled out an impressive $146,000 (1m yuan) just for one of these works, Heightened Suspense (大悬疑) by Wang Yan (王雁). Dubbed a “nouveau suspense” novel by its proud new owner, it combines elements of ancient history, anthropology, forensic science and treasure-hunting. It begins with a struggle for power between the Mongolian Empire’s ruler Genghis Khan (1162-1227) and his Holy Shaman, and revolves around the mystery of a mysterious camel-skin scroll—reportedly handed down from the Holy Shaman himself—that has been rediscovered in our day.

Those familiar with Chinese reading trends know, of course, that ever since the best-selling Da Vinci Code came out in Chinese, suspense novels have become a very hot genre. “Series such as Eye of the Sky, Candle in the Tomb, The Tomb-raider’s Notes and The Tibet Code have sold hundreds of thousands to millions of copies,” says SDL.

Intriguingly, SDL may be the first prominent Chinese source for original writing to present this and other works online in English in a format clearly targeting foreign buyers, i.e., agents, purchasing editors and publishers. Marketing materials include a section on Sales, an Introduction, a Review and a Synopsis, all in English.

Check out the site for more about Heightened Suspense and here for other works now available to global buyers, with details in English, including some longish excerpts from the originals. SDL's Copyright Department can also be reached by phone in Shanghai at: (+86) 10-65610382-8003.

Paper-Republic has also been given a sample of the translated text of Heightened Suspense that is, unfortunately, not online for now. While the English is not native, the quality of the writing is sufficient to get a good feeling for the characters and storyline.

SDL now owns several high-profile online platforms for creative writing in Chinese, and claims some 90 percent of the market via these sites including Qidian and Rongshuxia. Visit here for details of those sites in English.