During its entire 28-year history, Crown has never failed to appear on time. Even a disastrous flood in August 1958, which inundated the magazine's facilities, including machines, paper and articles, was not sufficient to stop publication. A severe shortage of paper in the 1960s forced many journals to suspend publication, but Crown still came out.
Based on this excellent record, Crown has increased its readership every year. Circulation in Southeast Asia started eight years ago and in the United States four years ago. Some 100,000 copies of the publication are sold each month at present.
The four-story white office building which houses the magazine is a masterpiece of architecture. Publisher Ping Hsin-tao himself took charge of the interior design.
The walls on both sides of the main gate are painted with red, orange and yellow stripes. Potted plants are placed next to bookcases which display copies of Crown and a series of books published by the magazine.
In the editorial department on the fourth floor of the building, phones are constantly ringing, and staff members are immersed in their work.
The publisher's office on the third floor is adorned with paintings by such artists as Chang Dai-chien, Lung Shih-liang, Kao Shan-lan and Yen Yi-ching. The wall is lined with bookcases.
Ping has been engaged in a quest for beauty throughout his life. Since his childhood, he has felt a deep affection for art, literature, movies, music, photography and architectural design. At 27, he decided to quit his job as an accountant to publish a wide-ranging magazine which would meet all his own needs. Helped by an investment of NT$20,000 from two friends, Ping at first had to do all the translation, writing, compiling, proofreading, and preparation himself. After a day at the office, he toured the streets by bicycle to sell his magazine..
At first, sales were so low that copies lay piled in his bedroom and even spilled over into the dining room. Even after his friends decided to withdraw their money from the magazine, Ping persisted, and published his first book "Shane" in 1956.
The book, which he translated himself, enjoyed brisk sales. The ensuring publication of "Selected Songs from Crown" was also profitable.
In 1961, Crown achieved financial stability. Ping discovered that translated works no longer satisfied the interest of his readers, and decided to run the magazine systematically by hiring more editorial staff members. The magazine was enlarged from 200 to 400 pages, and the subscription rate was also doubled.
Since June 1962, Crown has published a column entitled "A Book a Month," which has proved to be popular with readers. Crown has now become a fertile field for creative writers.
In its heyday, Crown could boast as its contributors almost all the leading writers in Taiwan, including Szuma Chung-yuan, Meng Yao, Hua Yen, Chang Ai-ling, Kao Yang, Chi Chi, Feng Feng, and Lin Huai-min (also a famous local dancer). As Ping offered high pay, the writers willingly established long-term cooperation with Crown, and the magazine was assured of a sufficient supply of high-quality material.
The series of novels published by Crown included Violent Sandstorm by Szuma Chung-yuan, Twilight by Feng Feng, and Outside the Window and Six Dreams by Chiung Yao, all of which were bestsellers.
Besides novels, Crown features special columns and prose pieces. Such leading local columnists as Liang Hsuen, Tan Fei, Tung Shih-chang, Yang Tzu and Chao Ning, and writers Yi Hsueh-man, Yen Yuan-shu, and Yeh Ching-ping have familiarized their works with the public through Crown. They describe their experiences and feelings in a humorous, satirical, light and intimate way. Through the articles, readers are able to gain a deep understanding of the authors.
For instance, the careers of columnist Tan Fei's daughters were intimately described in his column entitled "Mockingbird Collection." The readers shared the happiness of the children's adolescence, entering college, studying abroad and the tension of taking part in college entrance examinations. Tan Fei's humorous touch captured many fans for her series.
Chao Ning is another old friend of Crown's readers. He uses humorous and a self-mocking style to describe the joy and sadness he experienced during his stay in the United States. His "Talking to Myself" series started after he returned home from obtaining a Ph.D. degree in the U.S.
The progress and openness achieved over the past few years in the Republic of China have given the public a greater sense of participation in society. Social journalism has become a popular form in newspapers and magazines, because it helps readers to show their concern over their lifestyles. Novelist Hsin Tai has been in charge of gathering raw materials for this style of article since 1978.
Realizing that a monthly cannot compete directly with a daily or weekly in reporting events, the five members of the team under Hsin Tai have endeavored to conduct in-depth, detailed and thorough investigations from various angles. Ping has never restricted what they have expended in time and money.
It took them six months to prepare a special report on the material arts, for instance.
They have also introduced the story of Yang Ta-chi, who has been paralyzed since breaking his neck during a combat mission in 1961. For 19 years, Yang has been confined to bed, and has to be turned over every six hours. Though he knows he has no hope of recovery, he has lost his will to live.
Other special reports have been on the "submarine city" in Penghu, and on "blood vendors."
That the style and contents of Crown appeal to all sectors of the community is due in no small measure to Ping's far-sightedness and competence.
Although he has adopted a modern and streamlined management system, Ping knows how to make the best use of each writer's talents. He considers that as long as a writer works hard and has the potential to lead the way in cultural progress, educational background means nothing. Ping is honest and sincere in dealing with people, while being systematic and scientific in dealing with things.
For instance, when Hsin Tai's husband died, Ping gave her moral and economic support to allow her to continue writing. Hsin Tai said gratefully: "Ping is really a friend in need." Whenever a writer or his friends is in trouble, Ping is always the first to offer his assistance.
Ping never makes any corrections to a work without approval from the author. If editors disagree with the viewpoints expressed in an article, they discuss their opinions with the writers face to face. After this exchange of views, the author has the choice of making changes or withdrawing his work. Ping pointed out that allowing authors to keep their own style has helped to enrich and bring vanity to the contents of office hours. The resulting enthusiasm among staff has been the main factor in the magazine's success.
Crown Publication Co. has printed 730 books in different literary fields. Ping said he plans to translate a series of famous international literary works and best sellers in the United States for his readers in the future.
In 1976, the film corporation belonging to Crown made its first movie "I Wander Like a Cloud." Since then, seven of the novels carried by Crown have been made into films with a large box office following.
[Picture Caption]
In its 28-year history Crown has never failed to appear on time. 1. Publisher Ping Hsin-tao. 2. Painting of the Crown office building done by Kao Shan-ching.
1. Reception room in the Crown building. 2. VIP room on the 3rd floor. 3. The magazine's library. 4. Publisher Ping's office.
1. 2. & 3. Books and other articles are used to decorate the Crown premises. 4. Publication manager Chang Chu-kuo. 5. Chief editor Liu Shu-hua. 6. Editors immersed in their work. 7. The magazine's printing shop.
1. Crown has published more than 730 books. 2. Chiung Yao, a famous novelist, has a long history of association with Crown. 3. & 4. Chiung Yao's novels are printed in bookform or made into movies after being published in Crown. 5. A poster advertising the movie "Red Bean," based on one of Chiung Yao's novels. 6. Illustration for a novel.
1. Stills from movies based on novels published in Crown. 2. Chin Hsiang-lin and Lin Ching-hsia in a scene from a movie. 3. Lin Ching-hsia starred in seven of eight pictures produced by Crown. 4. A still from the movie "I Wander Like a Cloud."
Painting of the Crown office building done by Kao Shan-ching.
Reception room in the Crown building.
VIP room on the 3rd floor.
Books and other articles are used to decorate the Crown premises.
Books and other articles are used to decorate the Crown premises.
Books and other articles are used to decorate the Crown premises.
Publication manager Chang Chu-kuo.
Chief editor Liu Shu-hua.
Editors immersed in their work.
The magazine's printing shop.
Crown has published more than 730 books.
Chiung Yao, a famous novelist, has a long history of association with Crown.
A poster advertising the movie "Red Bean," based on one of Chiung Yao's novels.
Illustration for a novel.
Stills from movies based on novels published in Crown.
Chin Hsiang-lin and Lin Ching-hsia in a scene from a movie.
Lin Ching-hsia starred in seven of eight pictures produced by Crown.
A still from the movie "I Wander Like a Cloud.".
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