Needing support for a chance to debut in the Japanese light novel industry.

Swagernator said:
Sorry mate, but i don't support more western influence in anime/LN/manga/Vn industry.

zombie_pegasus said:
Your entry specifically? I'm also a light novel author. I'm sure there are many other Western authors of long form YA fiction split into short volumes who were inspired by the Japanese style of light novels. I think it would still technically be Western media but if you can get someone to translate it into Japanese that could help your dreams come true.

Shizaki_Reito said:
What I am saying is despite deriving their vast income from series, the contests' decision to outright reject series entries or submissions with traits of being series simply does not make sense whatsoever.

kuuderes_shadow said:


They don't. They just want the first volume to be able to stand by itself with a story of its own as well as serving as the start of the wider series.

Oh, and in case you didn't see it, I edited various bits of advice into my previous post which you might want to read and take in.

Edit: and one more tip - drop the petition. It just makes you look like a sore loser, or someone who is going to be more hassle than they're worth even if they do submit a good story.

Shizaki_Reito said:


Oh, and in case you didn't see it, I edited various bits of advice into my previous post which you might want to read and take in.

Edit: and one more tip - drop the petition. It just makes you look like a sore loser, or someone who is going to be more hassle than they're worth even if they do submit a good story.

Swagernator said:
Sorry mate, but i don't support more western influence in anime/LN/manga/Vn industry.

Shicchi said:

Can I take a look at one of your LN? (your best one)


How about try differrent approach? Is there a japanese site similar to wattpad? Maybe you can try publish one of your LN online and gain fanbase. After your work gain enough fans, you can use that to convince Japanese publisher to take a look at it.

Cyborg_Icarus29 said:

there is nothing wrong with it. actually many western writers/directors can teach these amtaeur LN hacks and amateur anime directors who make uninspired anime adaptations a thing or two about writing/ directing a story with compelling storytelling, well written characters and good pacing.

Cyborg_Icarus29 said:
there is nothing wrong with it. actually many western writers/directors can teach these amtaeur LN hacks and amateur anime directors who make uninspired anime adaptations a thing or two about writing/ directing a story with compelling storytelling, well written characters and good pacing.

I'm trying to revitalize this criticized medium with fresh ideas Japanese writers had yet to or had rarely touched upon.

Shizaki_Reito said:


It's in Japanese, would you be able to read it?

As for the different approach, there are several sites similar to wattpad, some are even directly owned by the LN publishers themselves. But let's just say I'm not particularly in the position to remain jobless for long enough to build up enough fanbase to make an effect.

Hoppy said:


The publishers are stubborn as fuck and want the same type of bad and stale LNs that are a quick flip instead of something different.

Swagernator said:

I rather be complaining about how bad it is, than to be changed by west.

Cyborg_Icarus29 said:
You should watch/read some good western works and stop shitting on them for no reason.

Swagernator said:

I never was "shitting on" western works.

Anime/etc. industry is like bollywood it doesn't need to be changed.

Cyborg_Icarus29 said:
and be more open minded.

Swagernator said:

The only thing i don't want for the Industry to become.

Zeruk said:
if you can only submit your work at one time of an year

kuuderes_shadow said:


stuffs

Shizaki_Reito said:

Another point I've been repeating is no, I don't 100% care about having to stick to Kyoani, I'm contacting Kadokawa, Kodansha, Shuueisha, GA, Media Factory, Overlap all at the same time. I just picked Kyoani instead of having to use a vague statement of "a faceless Japanese publisher". I'm not sure what you find so sickening at a point of me choosing to name one company as being more likely to "listen" over the others. You asked me a question "why Kyoani", I answered properly. What's wrong?

Cyborg_Icarus29 said:

Why tho? you don't like watching/reading new series with fresh ideas?

kuuderes_shadow said:

You said earlier that you submitted your works to just 2 contests. As you were focusing on KyoAni I assumed that these were both 京都アニメーション大賞小説部. In which case you haven't submitted your novels to the contests of any other company. Have I misunderstood something here?

Shizaki_Reito said:
I am a light novel series author applicant trying to get a career in Japan, I'm trying to revitalize this criticized medium with fresh ideas Japanese writers had yet to or had rarely touched upon.

But currently I am unable to convince the publishers to judge my novels fairly due to them not acknowledging the impact of the anime markets overseas or what I can offer to them. So I will be asking for support from you to simply sign this petition. Think of this as a first step to help non-Japanese writers break into the industry and make way for fresher ideas. Further details on the page.

https://www.change.org/p/kyoto-animation-please-support-my-entry-into-the-japanese-light-novel-industry

Thank you for your support.

youseiki said:
WOW, this is beyond me, have you ever tried writing in Syosetu?
Also I'm gonna post this thread to Novel Updates, at least there are some people out there who might able to help you.
https://forum.novelupdates.com/threads/needing-support-for-a-chance-to-debut-in-the-japanese-light-novel-industry-help-this-guy-out.54299/

Kagami said:


I refuse to sign that petition. You should try to get in with your own talent, not getting users to sign a petition for you. This is clearly a bad idea.

Afterword
Hello. My name is Kanata Yanagino.
This is my first work. Though I’m sure it must have its defects, I put all my
efforts into writing it. I sincerely hope you enjoyed it.

The original idea for The Faraway Paladin came to me at the end of April
2015, approximately one year before this book would come out in Japan. It so
happened that around that period, I had more free time than I knew what to do
with, and I was filled with a sense of emptiness. I was having trouble getting
into any books or games, and yet there was nothing else I wanted to do, either. I
seem to recall my mind just being incredibly vacant.

Amid those lethargic and weary days, there was a person who dazzled me.
He was one of my friends, a fellow tabletop roleplayer. He was an aspiring
light novelist, and a few months prior, he’d decided to try to win a Rookie of
the Year Award.

Tabletop roleplaying is a type of storytelling game played with a group of
people sitting around a table. You make characters according to a set of rules,
and use dice rolls and improv-style acting to create a tale as a group. By
nature, it has a lot in common with fiction writing, so it’s not that uncommon
to find aspiring novelists among lovers of tabletop roleplaying games. If I also
include the people who once aspired to become novelists and no longer do, it
should come to quite a high number.

But for that very reason, I also knew the fate of people who talked about
wanting to become novelists and who started writing stories. I do wonder just
how many of them were actually capable of writing enough words to fill one
whole book, with the full story structure of introduction, development, climax,
and conclusion. Of those who did, I wonder just how many of their stories
were interesting enough to be lined up alongside commercial works?
I’m no stranger to this myself; once, some considerable time ago, I got the
idea in my head to try writing a little bit of a novel, and hammered away at the
keyboard for a while. I ran out of ideas almost immediately, and I abandoned
the whole thing in only a few days. So if I may honestly confess, I thought at
the time that my friend was just the same.

“Ah,” the mean-spirited part of myself muttered, “everyone in this world
contracts chickenpox once. Looks like it’s his turn.” Either he wouldn’t be able
to finish it, or even if he did, it wouldn’t be particularly interesting. More or
less, that would be how it’d end up. I would humor him by giving it a read
through, and give his story some moderate praise with a put-on smile. Many
years of experience had poisoned me into thinking that way.

But I couldn’t have been more wrong. After deciding to try to win a Rookie
of the Year Award for light novels, he wrote and wrote an incredible amount
each day. He’d have enough text to fill an A6 paperback written out in no time
at all. Then he’d submit it, and immediately move on to the next story.
His sentences were clear. The content was a little unusual, but there was a
coherent theme, and it was interesting. Even I, a complete amateur, could
clearly see that what I was reading was special. He wasn’t just dreaming. He
also had the skill to make his dreams a reality.

My judgment had been completely mistaken, and my eyes had been as good
as blind. Curiously, I remember feeling very happy about that.
My friend progressed through the stages of the Rookie of the Year Award,
being selected again and again. When the results came in and my friend had
almost reached the final selection, I remember how happily he talked about it.
He was a blindingly bright and precious light to me in a time when I was
feeling empty and shriveled. It was powerful enough to make me think that I’d
like to work toward a dream like him.

And so I, too, decided to write a novel. The story I’d depict would be one I
thought up after getting inspiration from the many web novels listed under a
genre called “Reincarnation.” The story of a boy, raised by undead in a ruined
city. I thought it wasn’t a bad story, considering it had come out of the head of a
total amateur.

However, there was an obvious problem. After all, the only characters it
featured were monsters, gods, and the protagonist, a young boy. I knew that
light novels nowadays probably needed a charming heroine or two.
So I decided my first attempt would be practice. My goal was simply to
write 100,000 Japanese characters without abandoning the whole thing. I
decided to post it on “Shousetsuka ni Narou” (Let’s Become Novelists), a site
that hosted a number of stories I liked. It was just supposed to be an exercise, a
first step.
And now... this story is a book. I was surprised to find that the users of
“Shousetsuka ni Narou” took to The Faraway Paladin. This story, a mixture of
old fantasy with no attractive girls, leaped up the rankings at an astonishing
pace, and then I was approached about getting it published.

My aforementioned talented writer friend was making his debut at about
this time, and before I knew it, I was following right behind. I’d jumped into
the world I’d had my sights on in a way I’d never expected. You never know
what’s going to happen in life, I remember thinking.

A while after being approached about the publication of my book, I
received a phone call from the same person.
“We’re doing a shared-universe type of project,” I was told.
“Hm? Well, that sounds interesting,” I replied.
“We’d like you to write for us, if you’re willing.”
Maybe they have some unimportant spots they set aside for newbies? “All
right, I’d love to take the opportunity. Can you give me an idea of the role my
work would play in this shared universe?”
“It would be the centerpiece.”
“What?”
“It would be the centerpiece.”
“(speechless)”

...You never do know what’s going to happen in life, I remember thinking.
And so the shared-universe work Arcadia Garden was published day and
date with The Faraway Paladin. It’s an epic project with ten authors
collaborating to make a single world. Please do pick it up along with Paladin
if you have the chance.

In any case, I reached this point with the help of a great number of people.
I’ve never written an acknowledgment before, but here goes.
To all my web readers: Your warm support and encouragement was what
got me here.

To my many tabletop roleplaying buddies and their lovable characters: All
of the memories we’ve created together gave me strength and helped me
overcome my difficulties.

To my fellow creative minds, including K-sensei, who I have talked about
in this afterword: Thank you so much for always taking the time to read and
give me your impressions, and even ideas.

To my local library and all the books and videos on the shelves: Thank you
for teaching me so many things. It looks like I’ll finally be able to give back.
Kususaga-sensei, who added such gorgeous illustrations: I have no words
to express my gratitude. I have very fond memories of the tabletop RPG Sword
World 2.0, which you drew the cover for.

To my editor, the editors at Overlap, and everyone involved with this
book’s printing, advertising, sales, and everything else related to it; and to you,
the person who took this book into your hands: I thank you from the bottom of
my heart.

Kanata Yanagino, February 2016
A few further words for English readers.
I love A Wizard of Earthsea. I think that Sparrowhawk is one of the greatest
wizards in fantasy. I love the movie Conan the Barbarian as well. The moment
where Conan prays to Crom before the last battle is very memorable. I had a
lot of impressive sci-fi recommended to me by my friends, too. A Princess of
Mars, Citizen of the Galaxy, The Martian... Ah, and Civilization—I’m sure
anyone who's played those games will understand when I say that they
consumed a “little” of my time. I had “Baba Yetu” on repeat more than once.
Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Superheroes like
Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man. Annie (the musical), the movies Singin' in
the Rain, Stand by Me, The Professional, etc. I love the Rocky series too. I've
seen them countless times. (Except V. I repeat: except V!)

Some I picked out myself; others were recommended to me by my friends.
There are countless works and characters from America and other Englishspeaking
countries that I have very fond memories of. I have received so much
from your words, and from the works the English language has produced. So
The Faraway Paladin getting an English translation is a truly happy thing for
me. I have received excitement, emotion, and memories from creators on
distant continents oceans apart. If I have been able to give even a little back,
nothing would make me happier.

Did you enjoy The Faraway Paladin? I hope from my heart that you did,
and that you enjoy the next volume even more. My great respects to J-Novel
Club for the marvellous job done on translating this work. And to my darling
readers of the English version: my heartfelt thanks to you all.

Kanata Yanagino, January 2017
Sign up for our mailing list at J-Novel Club to

Shizaki_Reito said:


Thank you for your advises, I have been overlooking Shousetsuka ni Narou so far exactly because I spent the last 2 years tackling this exact contest issue. I might have to pick that up if this petition really doesn't work out.

Btw. I've read your thread on Novel Update, I understand the negativity but again people seem to be misunderstanding that I'm dead set on forcing the industry to keel over and do everything as I say despite me possibly not having talents to back it up. Please explain to them that that wasn't the case that again, I simply felt myself as a series specialist and a foreigner to be unsuitable to the contest system and what I wanted was a mere chance to talk with the editor to present my work fairly and appropriately. If that time comes and the editor said I'm awful, I'll swallow those words and give up. This petition is merely a bridge to that opportunity.

I know it's extremely plausible to wrap up a story in 150 pages, but again both I and the industry ultimately would want to sell series anyway. I am aware that I am weak at writing a short story, so to be rejected for not writing something they don't intend to sell simply makes no sense.