Just wondering if living in Japan will disadvantage me in any way when trying to get published. I was thinking on this and I thought, "How will I submit anything with a SASE? I only have access to Japanese stamps, and they won't work from inside the US."
Also, telephoning would be very difficult due to the time differences.
Just curious if editors / publishers shy away from non-US authors if they have the choice.
posted
IRCs are an option, but if you don't mind shopping on-line, you can buy US stamps from the USPS over the internet. If you have friends or family in the States you can try getting them to send some to you.
You can also try researching on-line markets -- at least for short story markets.
posted
IRCs are fine, just don't expect people to send your manuscript back to you. In fact most places will respond through email after reading your piece if they are interested. Other elements of the process are also harder for those overseas. For one thing how will you meet to discuss contracts, find agents etc...
I think if you're writing short stories, online markets are a good place to start, but if you don't mind a little expense then send your stories and just include an IRC for their response (not your manuscript)
posted
One of this year's WotF winners, Floris, is from Europe. He never got anything published until he started making the effort to get his stuff over to the states. It really worked for him, his career is beginning to take off.
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posted
I live in France, and most of my subs go to the US. It has not seemed to make a difference to me. I've even received some very complimentary rejections. Of course, I can't tell whether they judge authors on that kind of criteria but I honestly don't think it has anything to do with how an editor looks at your story.
If you plan on mass subs, it may be worth ordering US stamps from the website of the US postal store. In the long run it costs less than buying International Reply Coupons (plus it saves you all that queueing at the post office).
posted
Well if he's writing novels there won't be too much queing. Turn around from the slush pile is slow. I'd recommend trying to find an agent, especially if you get the chance to visit home at some time. Otherwise your in for a long expensive time, unless you are accepted the first time.
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posted
IRCs cannot be bought in Sri Lanka, so those are so not an option here. It's nice to know that we can buy US stamps over the internet. So far, my husband (also writes scifi) has submitted only to those accepting email queries. I'm not ready for submissions yet, but will be soon.
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posted
An issue with IRCs is, some markets explicitly say they will not accecpt them because you can purchase US stamps on-line. I can't remember specifics right now, but I know I've read that in one or two sets of guidelines. Also, from what I hear, they are significantly more expensive than using a stamp (i.e. $ vs. ยข).
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posted
To visit "home," I would go to Canada, so the chances of me ever meeting an American agent are very slim. I wonder if any agents in Tokyo are American... anybody have any insight?
I guess this also brings up the question of how necessary is an agent overall? If I write my fantasy novel, and submit it on my own, and get an offer, can I do things on my own if I absolutely had to?
posted
Agents handle the business end of things, letting you retain rights the first publisher is never going to use (like film rights and stuff) and wording the contract in such a way that you actually end up getting paid. If you don't have something salable in hand, they can't help at all. But if you do, they're essential.
People can act as their own agents, but usually it's a bit like being your own lawyer. It isn't just that you'll be up against people that went to law school, that's really a minor problem. It's that the judge and the jury won't take you very seriously. Or you can think of it as being your own secretary.
Even if you have the skills to be your own agent, you're probably better off having someone else represent you. Either way, someone needs to be the agent.
posted
If your story is strong and seems original, your disadvantages from postage constraints shrink a lot. And if you've got a buyer lined up, getting an agent is much easier.
I think that living in any foreign country is what you make of it. Japan is one of the major creative centers of the world, that can work in your favor if you're willing to let it. A lot of SF fans are also anime fans, and the anime/manga scene is a really good way to see what ideas are "common currency" in SF and Fantasy.
At the same time, some of the themes that are common in anime are really sought after by English speaking audiences. I have to give a little example here, I love high school romance anime. I think that it has a certain quality we've lost in much of our own cultural literature, the simple innocence and purity of youthful affection.
Some would say that our literature has lost that quality because our highschoolers have lost that quality, and I won't gainsay it. The point is that, even though one can hardly assert that Japanese teens/culture are more innocent and pure than American teens/culture, the theme is still there and Americans eat it up when they can get it.
So don't feel too disheartened by the barriers. The advantages probably outweigh them.
posted
I used to live in Sri Lanka and never realised that was a problem there, but like your husband I only submitted by email at the time. Some places will reply by email for overseas people, especially if you make it clear why you want them to do this.
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posted
My husband has recently had a request for a full from a US agent, so it's not hopeless. All correspondence is by email, which helps, but still, it shows it can be done.
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