Hollywood: Lights, Ink, Entertainment!

….

.

The next morning, it was official - the contract between Regal and Everleaf Press was signed.

Editing and proofing took center stage as the entire editorial team at Everleaf Press dove headfirst into the manuscript.

Every editor in the room knew the stakes, and they were ready for what they thought would be an exhausting, detail-heavy week.

From their first glimpse of Regal's work, they would know the stakes were high. The story was intricately set in the UK, weaving together its landscapes, culture, and history. Every detail, down to the colloquialisms and historical references, would need to hold up under scrutiny.

To streamline the process, one of the editors tentatively proposed relocating the story's setting to the USA, arguing that the team's familiarity with the region could save countless hours of research and avoid cultural missteps.

Regal, however, declined the suggestion with polite but firm resolve.

The UK, as he explained, was 'chosen' deliberately, it provided the most neutral ground for the story.

With the suggestion off the table, the team steeled themselves for what they assumed would be an avalanche of revisions.

But when they began combing through the manuscript, something unexpected happened.

Instead of an overwhelming mess, Regal's manuscript was… perfect.

The vocabulary, the phrasing, everything felt authentic.

It was as though the words had been penned by someone who had walked every street and alley of London.

What truly left the editors stunned was when Regal, almost nonchalantly, handed over an alternate version of the manuscript tailored for American readers. 

This version wasn't just adjusted, it was flawless, as if it had been crafted with American readers in mind from the very beginning.

The editors exchanged looks.

One of them muttered. "Did he have a whole team working on this before handing it over?"

It felt like the kind of perfection you only see in polished final drafts after months of back-and-forth.

With the heavy lifting already done, the editing and proofing process breezed by.

Instead of the grueling marathon they had expected, the entire job wrapped up in just two days.

Even then, the pace was so relaxed it felt more like a vacation than work.

By the end of those two days, they didn't just finish the manuscript.

Regal and the team had also designed a sleek book cover, picked out an elegant title font, and brainstormed a few catchy taglines to market the book.

Next on the list was setting the launch date and finalizing the printing schedule.

After a brief discussion, they agreed on a date exactly twenty-five days away.

For the launch, they secured three distinct locations, each chosen with care.

The main event would take place at an independent bookstore called Books & Books in Miami, FL.

This would be the only big event that is planned, with Regal as the author, who would get his limelight, and Gwendolyn would be there to help him handle everything.

The other two locations were more low-key.

One would be a book stall set up at the nearest New York Public Library branch to Everleaf Press's office.

The other would involve pop-up stalls at various coffee shops and cafés around San Francisco, CA.

These stalls would be staffed by a small team from Everleaf, ensuring the book gained broader visibility without stretching the budget.

Speaking of the budget, Regal's decision to not take any advance payment paid off in unexpected ways.

Instead of printing the planned 5,000 copies, they bumped it up to 5,300.

It wasn't much, but with this added, 300 books could be used for attracting the attention of the readers.

They planned a giveaway of a few hundred books, adding an air of excitement to the launch.

Everyone loves free stuff, after all.

While Regal's busy with the creative, Gwendolyn and her team take the physical work.

Printing the books, marketing, and making sure the world knew about the launch was now their mission.

Their reach will be small no matter what, but they made sure they were still being effective.

Using platforms like WordPress, they set up a clean, straightforward website for the book. It showcased the cover, a gripping synopsis, and all the details about the launch.

Then they took to social media, sprinkling posts across platforms to create buzz among book enthusiasts.

Flyers were printed and distributed to local coffee shops and libraries - places where readers were most likely to take notice.

….

1 Month Later - February 1st, 2010.

….

The day before launch.

Late evening.

"So, dear Junior, shall we begin?" Gwendolyn rose from her chair.

Gwendolyn was back to her casual self Regal had witnessed in their first unscheduled meeting as she crossed the room with a neat stack of papers tucked against her chest.

Her lenses were removed, eyeglasses were on, her coat draped over the chair, heels cast aside, and the collar was unbuttoned.

Regal, sprawled across the middle of the couch like he was trying to sink into it, let out a long, heavy sigh. "You are still stuck on that?"

Her lips quivered into a smirk. "Of course. It suits you."

Gwendolyn calling him 'Junior' was a battle she had never planned on conceding.

To be fair, she wasn't wrong.

Apparently they both attended the same University.

Back then, she had been his senior, though she hadn't even known it until he had offhandedly mentioned it during one of their conversations.

Of course, that didn't mean she was older than him.

Nope. In fact, Regal was a few months older.

He had just started college a little later than usual, while Gwendolyn had gotten a head start.

Now, as she sifted through the stack of papers, Regal's thoughts began to wander.

He hadn't expected to run into anyone from his college after he dropped out - especially not when walking into the Everleaf Press office.

Of all people, her?

Gwendolyn had been a name most of his peers' students knew. Sharp, brilliant, and beautiful, she exuded an effortless charisma that made her impossible to overlook.

People were naturally drawn to her. He too was one of them.

So when she didn't bat an eye upon seeing him that first day in her office building, it didn't catch him off guard.

To her, he must have been just another forgettable underclassman, lost in the sea of faces.

However, the irony is that now they are in the same office - playing the roles of Author and Publisher and working toward the same goal.

It still felt surreal.

When Regal had arrived for that first meeting, ostensibly to meet his 'editor,' he hadn't come unprepared.

He had done his homework, digging into Everleaf Press after receiving the editor's call.

It was a company unfamiliar to him, not something he remembered from his past life, nor his current memories.

The CEO, as it turned out, was listed as Ashton Oulworth.

Gwendolyn's father.

This, too, he had only uncovered recently.

Apparently, six months ago, Ashton's health issues had forced him to step back from his position, leaving Gwendolyn, fresh out of university, with no choice but to step into the role.

Regal recalled how Gwendolyn had downplayed the situation during their earlier conversation.

She had mentioned it as though stepping into her father's role had always been the plan, just slightly accelerated.

Even so, knowing the full story had sparked an unexpected flicker of admiration for her.

Lost in thought, Regal barely noticed her presence until she was right beside him.

Without hesitation, Gwendolyn casually dropped onto the couch, perching herself on the edge.

The distance between them was minimal, but she seemed utterly indifferent, her attention fixed on the stack of papers in her hands.

Regal tensed involuntarily.

The sudden closeness caught him off guard, making him acutely aware of her proximity. He quickly diverted his gaze, finding refuge in the far wall or any other point of focus that wasn't her.

Gwendolyn, however, 'seemed' completely unfazed, her focus unwavering as she flipped through the documents.

From the corner of his eye, Regal observed her and felt a faint twinge of disappointment.

"What are you thinking about so seriously?" Her voice was light, curious.

"Huh?" Regal blinked, snapped from his thoughts. He waved a hand dismissively, trying to mask the awkwardness. "No, it's nothing. Just... zoned out."

Gwendolyn raised an eyebrow but didn't push. Then, her expression shifted, like she had figured something out.

"It's normal to be nervous before something big like this. That's why I came prepared!" She held up the papers triumphantly.

Regal knew that wasn't the reason, but he just rolled with it, unwilling to get into the details.

"...Thanks." He muttered. "Guess this Junior of yours will owe you one."

Gwendolyn didn't react, nodding slightly. She knew which comments to let slide.

"Alright, let's begin." She cleared her throat, scanning the first sheet. "First question - What was your inspiration for writing the book?"

"Inspiration?" Regal echoed, tilting his head like he was considering it. After a brief pause, he shrugged. "Honestly, I just thought about making some money."

The room went silent.

Gwendolyn froze, her eyes narrowing as she processed his words. Her fingers tightened around the paper, the edges crinkling.

She had expected this.

Regal wasn't the type for flowery explanations, no-nonsense to the core.

But still, the bluntness stung more than she expected.

If she interrupted, it would just look like they were silencing the young author.

Not that Regal cared.

But the optics - she knew how they would be.

"These are the questions people will ask you tomorrow." She said, holding up the crumpled sheet with exaggerated flair. "Actual human beings, sitting right in front of you. Expecting thoughtful answers. Do you really think 'money' is what they want to hear?"

Regal scratched his cheek, looking mildly sheepish. "Well... it's true."

Gwendolyn shot him a look that could freeze fire. "You are lucky I anticipated this, Junior. Otherwise, you would be walking into your own disaster tomorrow."

Regal groaned, muttering under his breath. He wasn't sure if it was the nickname or the scolding tone that bothered him more. "Alright, alright. Let's just keep going."

"Good." Gwendolyn nodded, her gaze flicking back to the papers in her hands as she shifted a little closer, her presence now even more tangible.

Regal this time just gave a side-eye, then he also forced the task ahead.

Gwendolyn was already flipping to the next sheet, her tone matter-of-fact as she spoke. "Next question. What would you say to people who think your book lacks depth?"

.

….

[To be continued…]

★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★

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