If I could, I'd LOVE to send a fan letter to Tsujita Ririko-sensei, especially for the lovely series Koi dano Ai dano. xD

Ahhh!~ If only there was some way to translate it, whether if it would be via a third party, like a freelance translator.

________________

No way. There's way too much potential for people to take it too far and be creepy about it. I mean, if the author says 'hey, you can contact me through [social media] at [address/username/etc] if you like' then whatever, but anything farther than that seems really intrusive.

Have communicated and on good terms with. ^^

I sent a letter to MAKI Youko once a long time ago. I wrote in excruciating detail how much she broke my heart and how she could fix it by sending me a present. :')

She replied and told me I would get over it and that she was broke. T'was sweet.

________________

Monkeys, always at your service.

If you are discussing a new webcomic page on its forum, and the author takes part in it - is that considered "Talking with authors"?
Or are we considering only the speech addressed directly to the author in question?

The translator with the group I'm with had the oddest experience with an author we scanlate. She left a message on the author's blog once and she replied back saying something like, "thank you and everyone on your site! You're all good fans." The strange part was no one ever mentioned the site, lol

I have one word for you: 'Translators;' lots of free, instant online ones out there that can go both ways.

________________

Ones that butcher things so badly that next to nothing will get across!

________________

Reviews of my Work:
You are kind of boring - Blackorion
Congratulations! Ur an asshole! - tokyo_homi
Your awesome!!! - Cherelle_Ashley
NightSwan also said that she wanted to peg me, once, but I'm not sure whether to take that as a compliment or a threat...

Anyone remember this: http://www.facebook.com/openmanga

Once or twice when I knew they were the type to actually reply.

The language barrier is no fun. I was lucky enough to get someone I could ask to translate it both ways though.

Tried the free online translators before, as well. I recall one time something I said ended up being about dolphins. What the hell?

Case in point.

Online translators are a waste of time. The technology really just isn't there yet- it's like trying to make a robot write a short story. Unfortunately, a good translation is as much an art as it is a science- the feeling needs to be transmitted in addition to the literal meaning, or you don't get the 'truth' of the original text. Even if it's a simple message like "I love your work," which could conceivably become something horribly offensive in an obscure language when translated literally. Or just sound strange. The possibilities are endless.

________________

Reviews of my Work:
You are kind of boring - Blackorion
Congratulations! Ur an asshole! - tokyo_homi
Your awesome!!! - Cherelle_Ashley
NightSwan also said that she wanted to peg me, once, but I'm not sure whether to take that as a compliment or a threat...

I've thought about writing to a mangaka before, but I've never actually done it. I think my Japanese is good enough now that I can write an understandable letter, but, well... I guess it's just that writing a fan letter to a famous person is a weird, intimidating thing to me (I've never written any sort of fan letter to anyone in my whole life).

I think I might write a letter to a mangaka someday, though--it does seem like fun.

________________
Manga Cover Database

The thought has crossed my mind, however, it was quickly shot down because I can't speak Japanese.