Step's on getting my light novel published?

Jun 30, 2015 4:51 AM

Offline

Mar 2014

4446

TheConquerer said:

Rumanshi-xanic said:

I thought you were making light of the guys spelling. Looks like it was a legit typo.

*Backs away slowly*

(Translation: I was being a dick shitposter)

I didnt even read his paragraph since it was removed, I just know that noone makes it in that industry without taking a course or two

Mmmm.... Fair enough, old chap. That's probably true~

"I am the Bone of my Sword
Steel is my Body and Fire is my Blood
I have created over a Thousand Blades
Unaware of Loss,
Nor aware of Gain.
Withstood Pain to create Weapons, Waiting for one’s Arrival
I have no Regrets. This is the only Path
My whole life was Unlimited Blade Works"

Sep 4, 2015 12:17 PM

#52

AsuKages

Offline

Sep 2015

People here are SOOOOOOOO nice!

Such kindness!
Much support!

I'm being sarcastic, most of you are assholes.

Feb 5, 2016 8:19 AM

#53

TheDougieFresh

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Jan 2016

Clous said:
So this is what it looks like when a childs dream is crushed...

I feel bad, but at the same time, I'm laughing at this one guy's reply. He hit home hard.

Feb 5, 2016 11:16 AM

#54

TheDougieFresh

Offline

Jan 2016

Well you first need experience. Send it to an editor or have peers review it first. Peers might be biased to not hurt your feelings, but they are a good and easy source for critiques. Editors are more harsh and into reality. Just remember, if an editor rejects you, it's nothing personal. It's to prevent you from being embarrassed. You won't be remembered as the guy that wrote the shitty novel.

To be able to write a Light Novel, you have to know the fundamentals first. Keep in mind that since you are going to be writing in a different country, the culture is different as well. Light novels are initially Japanese and have an Anime feel to it (most of the time). I assume you're into light novels due to Anime and other sources, but try not to heavily rely on Anime as a reference to your story. Tell your own story, and try not to make it in a format of Light Novels you read in BakaTsuki. Try not to use Honorifics or anything of Japanese culture, unless you have specified that your story is in Japan. If that is the case, don't follow what you see in Anime (I have to heavily specify this). I've seen a lot of stories on Wattpad that try to make their Light Novel take place in Japan, but because they rely on Anime for their knowledge of the culture, they end up either insulting it, or making themselves look like an idiot. Study, do research, and acquaint yourself with the Japanese Culture to avoid this problem. That being said, let's look at what a Light Novel is.

Light Novels usually tell a linear story, not one that branches off like you see in other series. Although there may be different conflicts taking place in the initial story, for the most part, you can't just change the story mid-way. Light Novels are pretty short compared to other novels, having a word count between 40K and 60K. There really isn't a page limit, it's just based on how you format and arrange paragraphs, which the paragraphs are pretty short itself. About 3-6 sentences each to set the scenery. Narration usually takes a sentence, and then continued with Dialogue. Light Novels are heavy on Dialogue. This is what sets them apart from other other types of novels. Light Novels have narration, but the story is usually told mostly through dialogue. Dialogues usually come back to back, or go on for a long time in a conversation. This makes the story feel more alive rather than in most novels where there is a paragraph long break in between each long to specify what is going on around them, Light Novels sets up the stage before each conversation to allow the audience to imagine what is going and only taking breaks in between to change a character's tone. The problem with this is you have to specify who starts the conversation, and from there, the reader should figure out who's talking each exchange. Unless there is a group, it's preferable to have 2 characters talk, and then if another character wants to join, specify that they are the next to talk, and then be creative the rest of the way through to tell who's talking.

Stories can have any kind of mood, whether it's cheerful and happy, or sad and depressing. Whether your Story is a Highschool, Fantasy, or Action story, there will always be conflicts along the way. They are named different things, depending on who you ask, but just know it's similar to how "Arcs" work. An Arc usually takes a Chapter, or an entire Volume. Just remember to make it relevant and don't have the conflict appear Deus Ex Machina. Development is key, not only for the story, but for the characters. A bad story consists of characters that are only there momentarily, and are long forgotten; whether they have been killed off once they've served their purpose, moves away and never makes contact, or is never spoken of for reasons unknown. You have to draft out your entire story to avoid plotholes. Map out your characters, how they interact with each other, and how they grow. The goal is to make your audience fall in love with your cast (unless you want them to be hated). If you want to tell a good story, you have to also know the basics of a story. You can't just write a story without knowing how a story works.

I missed a bunch of topics to writing a story, but the best way to test your writing skills is to use Wattpad as way to see how people react to your story.

TheDougieFreshFeb 8, 2016 6:37 AM

Feb 8, 2016 6:39 AM

#55

TheDougieFresh

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Jan 2016

AsuKages said:
People here are SOOOOOOOO nice!

Such kindness!
Much support!

I'm being sarcastic, most of you are assholes.

Editors are slightly more aggressive. Some people in here are kind of assholes, but then again, Editors are no different. Some will beat around the bush and tell you that their boss won't accept it, and others are straight to the point and go "ey...this shit...it's shit."

Feb 8, 2016 10:29 AM

#56

Peco

Offline

Jul 2015

3151

If you're not good, you need money. If you're actually good, find an agent and they will take care of everything.

youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
to want me

Feb 8, 2016 10:38 AM

#57

removed-user

Offline

Jul 2018

561864

Never ask something like this on MAL...

You're never going to get anything beyond "Your novel is shit!" / "Your English is awful!" so just leave the thread and don't come back.

Edit: Wait, this was a necro? *facepalm*

removed-userFeb 8, 2016 10:41 AM

Feb 8, 2016 10:42 AM

#58

Salad

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Aug 2013

601

>Reviving this after two years.

pls

『パイル』| Twitter

Feb 22, 2016 8:01 AM

#59

mary91

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Feb 2016

Hi, I'm Mary and I've just finished the first volume of my novel. Can someone please tell me if I have to translate my work from English into Japanese before sending it to any publishing companies. What steps do I need to take before I send the work to Japan? Also do i need to write my name on every page or just at the front?
Do i need to send the whole hard copy at the publishing company or just by email.

I am looking forward for a reply.
Thank you.
M.P

Feb 23, 2016 1:59 AM

#60

Shiratori-san

Offline

Jan 2014

1573

If you want to send it to a Japanese company, ideally you should have it translated, have a hard copy and go to the company in person to make an appointment (always in person). That's my guess.

But for us who probably simply can't do that, you might be asking the wrong questions. I'm more worried with the question "where to?". Just suppose you have written a great LN and included awesome artwork and it looks really pro and it can be the next hit if someone gave it a chance. You have it perfectly written it in both English and Japanese. You have it printed and ready to be sent to the publishers or have attached a PDF copy to your draft email. But now what? Where to?

The writer who penned Clashing Feelings. You can buy the light novel on Amazon.

Feb 23, 2016 3:56 PM

#61

mary91

Offline

Feb 2016

So...as I understand without personal contact there is nothing certain about my work... Japan is too far away and I am a uni student so that would be difficult. I am not arrogant and I can tell that this story of mine has potential but I have to know the procedures before taking the risk and send it via pdf... Is there any site of someone who might help me with that? I have thought my story more as an anime than just a plain book. I could have made it just a novel but novels are not usually taken into consideration to become animes so I made it a light novel.

I am not familiar with the procedures so could someone help me on that matter?

Feb 24, 2016 3:28 AM

#62

Shiratori-san

Offline

Jan 2014

1573

@mary91 , I'm in a similar situation. I'm so lost and I don't know who to contact or what to do anymore (;_;) I wouldn't mind spamming a couple of e-mailboxes with my PDF, but then again, which email addresses?

Actually I feel so bad about this that I haven't been able to write a new story in 2 years (and I think I could create some good ones, not masterpieces I admit, but at least much better than many out there)

The writer who penned Clashing Feelings. You can buy the light novel on Amazon.

Feb 25, 2016 4:29 AM

#63

mary91

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Feb 2016

I thought of travelling to Japan this summer and just see what happens. I would rather have that vastly looooong journey rathen than sending my work wherever and to whoever and then lose my credibility. Its the first time i ever thought of doing it so i guess i have to take my ass to Japan. I'm not confident with the idea of just releasing my work - i dont care if its good or bad- to anyone. You should do the same and protect you child. Also... What's with the all-judgemntal attitude here? At the 1st page someo e said they wrote a novel, the others probably read it and then the judgembt started. Don't people know what politeness means here?

Feb 25, 2016 8:26 AM

#64

Shiratori-san

Offline

Jan 2014

1573

But @mary91 , do you speak Japanese?

Oh, and about politeness, you're right. People are always easy to jump at someone to joke/laugh/say bad things. On the other hand, it seems that it's very difficult to say something nice or praise someone else. Like, is it that embarrassing?

The writer who penned Clashing Feelings. You can buy the light novel on Amazon.

Feb 25, 2016 8:30 AM

#65

mary91

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Feb 2016

Unfortunately that's our world. But i've always considered that to be something older people have. But i see its quite the same in younger ages too..even though young people scream of these ideals its fake is it not?.things are progressing hahaha

Feb 25, 2016 8:30 AM

#66

Tokis06

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Feb 2016

673

Guys, this thread was originally done in 2013 and has been bumped repeatedly since that.

If the OP person really cared for anyone's feedback on the matter then they would have at least written a reply back (but not one single one).

Feb 25, 2016 8:33 AM

#67

mary91

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Feb 2016

Yep. But since its there i cannot hold my self back and not mention it. Its not as if i want him/her to understand it or that i care about their opinion 😳

Feb 25, 2016 8:53 AM

#68

mary91

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Feb 2016

@Shiratori-san sorry I didn't see that part of your answer. Unfortunately i don't speak Japanese. Just words and phrases I've memorised by reading mangas and watching animes.
But if that would be the only problem i could easily find a good translator for that matter couldn't i? :P

Apr 5, 2016 4:23 AM

#69

fsc

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Sep 2010

I wish I have the courage. Made me think if I should post the English version of this on Creative Corner.

Jul 4, 2016 12:06 PM

#70

TotsKii

Offline

Dec 2015

I may not Good at English, but I will pull it somehow.
So can i asked something!?
I'm from Philippines at the first place, Light Novel here isn't popular so i wish that i could Publish in Japan.
Is it posible?
How can i submit my novel?

Thanks for the Answer :)
I'm not blogger so email me please if posible : kingmezuki@gmail.com

Jul 20, 2016 1:22 PM

#71

VicsLab

Offline

Jul 2016

I'm aware that this is an old thread, but for those still wondering where to publish a light novel, I own a small publishing company that specializes in original English light novels (www.VicsLab.com). I am not aware of any other company in the United States that does this. Our next book will be The Everlasting by Biako, coming out this fall. You can submit books on VicsLab.com by going to the Submissions group page. I hope this helps.

VicsLabAug 26, 2016 10:46 AM

Community, distributor, and publisher of original English light novels.

Aug 14, 2016 1:37 AM

#72

TotsKii

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Dec 2015

I'm not looking for Interest or Payment,
but can you read my Novel and It's up to you if you're Interested in publishing it.

Aug 14, 2016 1:58 AM

#73

GrimAtrament

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Feb 2010

12135

the necroing is real you guys do know this was made back in 2013 3 years ago 3 FULL YEARS

"among monsters and humans, there are only two types.
Those who undergo suffering and spread it to others. And those who undergo suffering and avoid giving it to others." -Alice
“Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty.” David Hume
“Evil is created when someone gives up on someone else. It appears when everyone gives up on someone as a lost cause and removes their path to salvation. Once they are cut off from everyone else, they become evil.” -Othinus

Aug 14, 2016 4:05 PM

#74

Jambles

Offline

Jan 2014

491

hazerddex said:
the necroing is real you guys do know this was made back in 2013 3 years ago 3 FULL YEARS

Why was this ressurected?

I feel that the op doesn't really care enough to respond since I've seen zero percent responses from her/him.

To answer, from what I've gathered, the op wants to publish a light novel in Japan?

Has he/she perfected the writing and have copies of it both in Japanese and English?

I think OP should slow down and chill D:

Live here in the now, chill with your buddy, Jambles.
Mangalist
Animelist
FanFiction/My Writing

Aug 15, 2016 12:23 AM

#75

TotsKii

Offline

Dec 2015

Jambles said:

hazerddex said:
the necroing is real you guys do know this was made back in 2013 3 years ago 3 FULL YEARS

Maybe I know The Answer Why was this ressurected?

I just wandering at google searching for thread forum like this but happen that this is first result~

so i try to Post~

But my post was if where to publish~

happen that someone answered it.~

Aug 15, 2016 12:37 AM

#76

Jambles

Offline

Jan 2014

491

TotsKii said:

Jambles said:

I happen to despise the amount of responses to OP.

Anything can happen! You can do anything. You can publish your novel it just takes time! Never Give up. Ever.

Do some heavy research if you happen to have the belief its ready to publish. Or better yet, throw it around on some sites like fiction-press and get some feedback before publishing. :)

Live here in the now, chill with your buddy, Jambles.
Mangalist
Animelist
FanFiction/My Writing

Aug 15, 2016 12:44 AM

#77

TotsKii

Offline

Dec 2015

[/quote] I happen to despise the amount of responses to OP.

Anything can happen! You can do anything. You can publish your novel it just takes time! Never Give up. Ever.

Do some heavy research if you happen to have the belief its ready to publish. Or better yet, throw it around on some sites like fiction-press and get some feedback before publishing. :)[/quote]

Anyway is Japan accepting a book from other country~

I'm no Good Speaking at Japanese but I can Guarantee Finish my Book in English~

-_- And I Don't know where to submit if I'm done~

:) anyway thanks for Response ~

Sep 1, 2016 1:41 PM

#78

VicsLab

Offline

Jul 2016

TotsKii said:
I'm not looking for Interest or Payment,
but can you read my Novel and It's up to you if you're Interested in publishing it.

Members of www.VicsLab.com can read your book. There is also a submission process, but we only select a few titles a year. Yes, it would be up to us to publish, and we pay for all costs and pay royalties. If you want to self-publish instead without having to go through all the work involved, we can do it all from start to finish or by job (editing, formatting, design, etc.) but we have to charge for it.

Vic

Community, distributor, and publisher of original English light novels.

Sep 1, 2016 2:00 PM

#79

katsucats

Offline

Oct 2012

16077

Forget hard publishing these days. Just go on Amazon and sell it as an ebook. If you're good and get good reviews and have an audience, then you can use that fact to find a real publisher.

My subjective reviews: katsureview.wordpress.com
THE CHAT CLUB.

Sep 8, 2016 8:25 AM

#80

fusiam

Offline

Sep 2016

hi everybody I am writing a fantasy light novel and translating it to japanese and I would like your opinion although surely I suck in both english and japanese ja ja ja
anyways here it is

https://fusiam.wordpress.com/acerca-de/mao-to-sarary-man-2/

Mar 21, 2017 2:10 PM

#81

MaestrO_Frags

Offline

Mar 2017

TallonKarrde23 said:
It will not get published in Japan.

As for publishing at all - your English is terrible, so it won't happen. If you'd like to try anyway, google up a list of all the publishing companies in your country and send your manuscript to them. All of them. Especially any that are known to sell smaller books rather than just novels. They will send you either a proposition of interest and/or a possible deal or tell you (and this is what will happen) they are rejecting it.

edit - here's a list, just find your country I suppose.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Publishing_companies_by_country

edit 2 - You were born in 96 so you're not even 18 and you think you'll get published, localized into Japanese and published there as well, and then made into an anime? Haha. No. Spend another 5 years learning better English and perfecting your 'light novels' and then try again. If you work hard enough and are actually talented whatsoever you may get a small publisher to pick you up if you're extremely lucky and that's the end of your journey. You don't submit something you wrote during middle school recess to publishers, that's just being rude.

that was harsh did you wrote all of that by yourself.?you was not helping though.if you did have this kind of advices where is your light novel? i cant see it while destroying his dream that was really hard.even small publishers will turn him down? ahah people like you will never move from a wooden horse just keep swinging at your place.

May 12, 2017 8:34 PM

#82

lrdalucard

Offline

May 2009

Levelev said:
Can someone pls. tell me the step's on how to get my light novel published? thanks :D

Hehe I know the feeling bro, sadly many ppl with envy and deprived of education will try to shut you down. Sadly that's all you going to ge around here and about everywhere you might think its a good place to ask. I felt that on my skin when I try to "say something like you" in my own language websites, oh man I got bashed hard.
First of all avoid any teenagers websites like these they are a bad starting places, since many ppl here are kids who only love anime and barely have any taste for manga... even less a LN, hehe.

But I know what it feels like having built your story expecting it to be told and no means to reach it. If it helps to rise you motivation and you have some money on you you can try:
https://www.lulu.com/
Or similar websites, where you can pay to have your own book printed in small numbers and start selling to nearby friends(NOT GIVING AWAY 4 FREE!), Sign for Anime events nearby register has a seller and open a table in a doujin section and sell your product.
Since you are in to Light Novels, I also assume you will be drawing the art for it.
You might wanna get one of these just in case: http://rsc2.saatscommerce.com/img570afc1fd4fe8_l.jpg (Search for Body-Kun in www.hlj.com)

Ok this sounds interesting but your job is not over yet. You need to start Blog's Facebooks, Tweeters, DeviantART's WHATfkngEVER you can land hands a pon, to get you lunched/known in to the world and start getting followers and readers.

Things you should know, Art/Creativity is a world of contact, socialisation-
Where getting/giving "favors" in exchange for promotions and word spread is and has more importance then the quality of your piece, there are many unfairness in this world trust me. But don't quit man ( ^-^)/

Other things you can try:
Ever though going in to Visual Novels world, Tyrano builder is available very cheap in steam, and if you have time and some cash to invest in 2D Cubism program you could get some neat stuff done.

Things you can do
Learn Hiragana and Katakana. And once you know them well, Kanji. Until you know what any of these 3 words are, stay away from thinking in going to Japan, nothing's going to happen if you get there without these 3 little Fairys.
I have seen in your profile, 122 Completed anime series(13-May-2017). If I were you I would at least try to hit 500 anime series margin. And please don't watch only the same genera that's bad, gets you nowhere, gives you 0 knowledge, 0 perspective. Watch a bit of everything: Clannad, Rainbow, Code Geass, Gundam, Nodame Contabile, Hajime no Ippo ~ the larger you culture and knowledge of series you have the bigger the creative arsenal you get to produce good LN's!

Ok hope it helps! Cheers and good luck, cya on the battle field!
After almost 5 Years, hope you got a worthy answer that beats 2 pages of bs you got here. This post deserves to end with a good reply at some point in time.

PS: Callme a grave digger, guess what, I don't give a F*c* ;3

lrdalucardMay 12, 2017 8:48 PM

I'm an Anime/Manga Artist who enjoys drawing in the same style:
For info on comissions and galery: Click Here

Sep 19, 2017 6:30 AM

#83

_joker_reverse

Offline

Sep 2017

How to start my light novel and also how can i post my stories??! I have more than 20(or 50) stories but never release them and now i'm trying but i have no idea how to post them in this web!!

Sep 19, 2017 8:26 AM

#84

CureEtude

Offline

Nov 2014

3220

Oh my god, please stop reviving this thread.

Poyon-poyon, poyoyoyoyoooon! Poyorin chu~!

Oct 13, 2017 10:48 PM

#85

perenniality

Offline

Mar 2014

First, I apologize for necro'ing this thread, but I found the information contained within to be confusing and it is the first result when googling publishing a light novel.

As many others mentioned, the first step is to write a good story. That is another topic on its own; I will assume you've already written your novel.

If you are traditionally published, which is also its own topic, you will likely sell your foreign translation rights and thus the matter is out of your hands.

If, however, you are self-published, your best bet to get into foreign markets such as Japan would be to hire a literary agent that specializes in foreign rights. (Further specializations, such as in Asian markets and the genre that you wrote, would probably also be helpful.) I would not recommend sending translated versions of your work out to Japanese publishing companies. However, any literary agent that takes you on will likely want your work to either be: a. good enough that it could have been traditionally published or b. selling decently in its native market.

P.S. I would like to stress that while this dream may seem improbable, it is not impossible. Why? Because I myself am attempting it right now, and the results seem promising!

Oct 13, 2017 10:54 PM

#86

Insertanamehere

Offline

Aug 2014

10795

1.know japanese
2.write well in japanese
3.live in japan
4.be japanese
5.publish it as a WN and hope it gains popularity
6.sell publishing rights to a company

Oct 15, 2017 9:00 AM

#87

nymi

Offline

Sep 2017

2999

I wonder what happened to op. This is one of the reasons I dont want to create a topic in MAL. You have to live with your topic for the rest of your life in mal.

"When you made this thread, I cried and screamed"

-Swagernator 2017

Oct 17, 2017 2:09 PM

#88

dubsnobb

Offline

Sep 2017

IF you want to publish a Light Novel as a westerner, you would have to have some serious connections to have it be taken serious. Take Afro Samurai for example, an anime only released in English that was backed by Samuel L. Jackson. There are some westerners that have been succesful mangaka and light novel authors, but they moved to Japan, learned the language and proceeded to go through the proper channels. You would have a better chance doing that, than hopefully getting recognized in the US.

Dec 1, 2017 12:30 AM

#89

aLotQuestion_

Offline

Dec 2014

2651

how about publishing it for free on free website/app first to test the water?

would that work and publisher come to you themselve?

Signature removed. Check your inbox

Mar 9, 2018 7:09 PM

#90

KalashnikovDude

Offline

Mar 2018

By the ashes of the babaylan and sages of the north! I ressurect this threaaaaaaaaaaad! Gate Open! Chuunibyo Revival!!!!!!! 😂😂😂

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