Original English Light Novels
15 years ago
Posts: 5
Greetings MU!
My name is Diana, aka Xiao Cha, and I am here to gauge MU's interest in light novels. As you may or may not know, there are many popular anime and manga series that have been based off of light novels, such as Suzumiya Haruhi, Spice and Wolf, Baccano!, Slayers, Kyou Kara Maoh!, and more. However, while light novels are very popular in Japan (enough that they would be adapted into different mediums frequently), they are almost unheard of in the English-speaking world, even among many anime and manga fans. There have been official translations of the more popular series, especially by companies that also publish manga, like Seven Seas and Tokyopop, but these are not faring well in the market. Moreover, there doesn't seem to be any such thing as an original English language "light novel."
Myself and a partner are working on the basis for an online serialized fiction magazine for original English works written in the light novel style, mimicking the Japanese magazines that light novels are usually published in. This generally means sparse text, dialogue-driven stories, and a quick reading pace (for more details check out the Wikipedia article). There was a previous attempt at such a publication, Karui Shosetsu, but it was unfortunately unsuccessful (in that nothing was put out since their first issue a year ago). So, I am here to find out what manga fans would like to see in such a magazine.
The magazine would likely be bimonthly, and both writers and artists would be needed. As the poll above says, would you be interested in contributing to this? Or just interested in reading it? Or neither?
For those who would be interested, what genres would you like to see represented in the magazine?
Thank you for taking the time to wade through my wall of text! Any and all input will be greatly appreciated!
~ Diana, aka Xiao Cha
Edit:
I wanted to add that the magazine will not necessarily be focused on "anime"-type stories, but rather creative, original works in all genres, so even people who are't interested in those type of stories are welcome to give input.
Also adding that I am not actually recruiting right now, and won't be for a while; just checking for interest.
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15 years ago
Posts: 1366
Hasn't Stephen King been doing his books this way for like the past ten years? It started with The Green Mile.
So just to clear this up, is this gonna be like Reader's Digest, only aimed at anime and manga fans? I wouldn't mind reading something like that.
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15 years ago
Posts: 504
I have never thought of Stephen King in those terms. Especially not The Green Mile, which was a serial novel(published in a short run of multiple short books, which I may actually have)
I would probably read something of this sort.
15 years ago
Posts: 1899
Quote from kaloo
I have never thought of Stephen King in those terms. Especially not The Green Mile, which was a serial novel(published in a short run of multiple short books, which I may actually have)
I actually think the aforementioned nature of the book was one of the main points of the comparison.
He's also pretty clearly a pulp author (not that I'm saying pulp is inherently bad, it just is what it is), and since light novels are basically as pulpy as writing can get, I think it's a pretty valid comparison.
Speaking as a writer, I would honestly be reluctant to make any sort of commitment to such a magazine. There are a number of reasons, but basically you'd be asking for work that targets a very specific audience, and although I'm certain you'll find some volunteers among the typical fan-fiction writers, I'm not positive I could reel in my own tastes and tendencies enough to actually produce something with that sort of appeal. There's also a high level of uncertainty as to your commitment to the project and the like, just as there would be with anyone else attempting the same thing.
My personal advice would be to advertise in the aforementioned fanfiction communities and try to recruit some volunteers there, since the target audience is already similar. There's also the issue of there not being very many fiction writers here on MU, or so one would assume, anyway. I wish you luck, though, the project does sound interesting, and I would at least take a look at the type of work you were producing.
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15 years ago
Posts: 1705
Hmm... This sounds intriguing... But by illustrations, do you mean just a random image for a story or more like a manga kinda thing?
Also, the only "original Engish light novel" I know with illustrators, dedicated writers (plus lots of quality checkers and proofreaders) and an prevalent fanbase (^_^;; ) I know of is "The Genderbending of Haruhi Suzumiya."
Perhaps they might be interested in working with you? You could try asking them here:
15 years ago
Posts: 5
@Crenshinibon - Good points. You've actually said a lot of the thoughts I've had about this. I actually really don't like things that try to be anime/manga-flavored, at least in the typical way of throwing in Japanese names and anime type settings. I'd like to see a range of genres and unusual/creative works. And, because I'm (or we're, since I'm working with someone else) still actually trying to determine what is the most practical audience, I'm trying to get the opinions of different communities, manga fans just being one perspective. I actually wouldn't want to have the typical fanfiction writing crowd because frankly, most of them are not brilliant, original writers (no offense to anyone).
The actual planning for the magazine is still extremely early in the process, so I'm actually not hoping to recruit anyone just yet. That would probably be a couple months down the road still. I'm mostly just gauging interest at this juncture. And as for commitment, well I've dedicated my (college) junior English semester project to writing up a sort of business plan for the magazine, so yeah. But even I would suspect me of being a flake. 😉
But yeah, thanks for the input. I'm definitely trying to see this as a serious venture, and it's actually people like you, who are serious about their craft, that I would hope to see submitting when the time comes.
@CatzCradle - By illustrations I mean, for the most part, single images to go along with chapters of a story, though my partner expressed some interest in sequential art/comics as well. Also, though we're looking for original stories, rather than fanfiction, thank you for the suggestion.
Free range translator on the lookout for exciting new projects. If you're in need, drop me a line!
15 years ago
Posts: 515
Quote from Crenshinibon
Quote from kaloo
I have never thought of Stephen King in those terms. Especially not The Green Mile, which was a serial novel(published in a short run of multiple short books, which I may actually have)
I actually think the aforementioned nature of the book was one of the main points of the comparison.
He's also pretty clearly a pulp author (not that I'm saying pulp is inherently bad, it just is what it is), and since light novels are basically as pulpy as writing can get, I think it's a pretty valid comparison.
Speaking as a writer, I would honestly be reluctant to make any sort of commitment to such a magazine. There are a number of reasons, but basically you'd be asking for work that targets a very specific audience, and although I'm certain you'll find some volunteers among the typical fan-fiction writers, I'm not positive I could reel in my own tastes and tendencies enough to actually produce something with that sort of appeal. There's also a high level of uncertainty as to your commitment to the project and the like, just as there would be with anyone else attempting the same thing.
My personal advice would be to advertise in the aforementioned fanfiction communities and try to recruit some volunteers there, since the target audience is already similar. There's also the issue of there not being very many fiction writers here on MU, or so one would assume, anyway. I wish you luck, though, the project does sound interesting, and I would at least take a look at the type of work you were producing.
Most pulp authors weren't exactly dedicated to one magazine they usually just published the stories for money in one magazine then jump to the next. I am a inspiring writer and wouldn't mind doing a story for a magazine,but then again I am still in high school.
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14 years ago
Posts: 2
well that's a good idea
