Network literature writers' work should be recognized

Translated from 21st Century Business Herald by Li Yang

The annual royalty incomes of the top three network writers in China last year were 33 million yuan ($5.30 million), 21 million yuan and 18 million yuan.

Their huge income surprises the people because their names are unknown to many. They take advantage of information technology and try to make as much money as possible, which distinguishes them from traditional writers.

The values of literature, in whatever form, cannot be judged only by its sales. The high royalty income of the network writers does suggest their works’ popularity. And the successful network writers have indeed shown their talents and worked hard in their careers.

China has more than 500 million network users now. Materials for online reading should not necessarily be limited to traditional literature, as people develop new reading habits on the Internet, just as they develop new eating habits with the appearance of fast food.

It is unfair to look down upon the network writers and label them inferior to traditional literature writers just because they use new media to convey messages from their hearts. Criticizing online literature as meaningless entertainment without reading it is just a blind prejudice, or even ignorance.

As early as 2009, some provincial writers associations in China have already opened their doors for membership applications from the network writers. In 2010, one popular online writer became committee member of the national writers association together with other famous writers for the first time. If online literature maintains its popularity, adding a prize for it in the traditional-literature award series will only be a matter of time.