JET Alum Writer Beat will be kind of like JETAA Chapter Beat and Japan Society Round-up.  You’ll follow established JET alum writers out there (I’ll give you a list to start)–i.e., read or subscribe to their blogs, their Facebook or Twitter accounts, email lists, etc.–and you’ll post a round-up once a week or so listing anything you think is worth mentioning about them and their recent work.

For more info, please contact Steven at jetwit@jetwit.com.

Here is a practical list of organizations, market guides, and networking opportunities for jump starting your writing career.  My apologies that it is heavy on the America and Speculative Fiction side, but that is who I am and what I write, so that is what I know best.  But hopefully everyone can find something useful from this list:

Your best friend for meeting publishers and agents is writers’ and fan conferences, especially if you can get one-on-one consultations!  Every state in America has at least one per year.  The one I always attend is the Oklahoma Writers Federation Inc. conference the first weekend in May (http://www.owfi.org/).  Next year it will be May 5^th-7^th.  It`s one of the best in America.  If you happen to live near the Oklahoma area, there is also Tulsa Nightwriters, CrossRoads Writers Critique Group, Oklahoma Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers, Fellowship of Christian Writers, and the Conestoga conference, all of which can be googled.  If you live in other areas, simply google “(your state/province/country) writers” and you will no doubt come up with a host of organizations, conferences, and events. 

Here are some groups in Japan:

Osaka Readers and Writer`s Club: Meets every Saturday to read and critique:

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=84878668917&topic=13137#!/group.php?gid=35793654598&ref=search

 Nagoya Writers: http://nagoyawrites.wordpress.com/

Tokyo Writers Salon: http://ja-jp.facebook.com/posted.php?id=16353897846

Japan Writers Conference: http://www.japanwritersconference.org/ (This year being held in Tokyo October 10^th-11.) 

The best writing reference, in my humble opinion, is Writers` Market.  It comes out every September and you can get it at almost any bookstore (where English is the main spoke language; and where not, you can buy it online).  It features over 8,000 book, magazine, script, and poetry editors and agents to buy your writing. You have to get the latest one because it becomes totally obsolete in six months. For a more fluid, long-lasting reference, you can subscribe to www.writersmarket.com.  There`s a similar one for Christian Writers called Christian Writers` Market Guide: http://www.stuartmarket.com/ and for kids and teens called Children`s Writers and Illustrators Market: http://www.cwim.com/

Libraries often host events for writers and contests.  By winning a number of these contests, I’ve gained some really useful contacts. 

A really prestigious sci-fi/fantasy writers group is Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America- commonly called SFWA. http://www.sfwa.org/  In order to join you must have sold three short stories, a novel, or a screenplay in one of those genres to be in it, but it`s really worth it.  Even for non-members they are a vast resource for markets and other information.

This is a link to Australian Speculative Fiction markets: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~mslee/mag.html.  And this one is international: http://www.sff.net/people/julia.west/markets.html

Fangs, Fur, and Fey (http://community.livejournal.com/fangs_fur_fey) is an online community for urban fantasy/paranormal authors.  They’re great for networking and critiquing.  The Absolute Write is another great online group of critiquers for any writer.   

Some agents with very helpful blogs about the industry are Nathan Bransford, Miss Snark, and Kristin Nelson.  They actually tell step by step how to submit your work and write a professional query letter, including examples, along with other essential writing, selling, and marketing tools.  The Guide to Literary Agents blog is my personal favorite, especially the new agent alerts! http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com

The international Writers of the Future Contest is how a lot of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror writers are getting started these days.  If you win (hard, but doable) they really promote your work and send you to a week-long conference with dozens of agents and editors present.  http://www.writersofthefuture.com/   

For more general genres, there is the international Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest held in February every year.  The odds at winning (with 5,000 entrants in both adult and young adult categories) are very low, but even making it to the quarterfinalist round is something you could put on a resume or a query letter to a publisher/agent.  That goes for all contests, actually.

Four small to medium press publishers interested in fantasy, science fiction and horror are Zumaya Publications, Yard Dog press, Double Dragon, and Baen Books.  They don’t require an agent to submit work to them.

Society of Children`s Book Writers and Illustrators is one of the most prestigious international writing groups in the world and is for authors of work for toddlers to teens. There are three levels of membership depending on your level of publication. They host events, critique groups, and conferences all over the world.  I am a member of both the Tokyo and Oklahoma chapters.  Here is their website: http://www.scbwi.org/.

For freelance writing opportunities, try checking caigslist: http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites.  I`ve had a number of friends who got gigs this way. Here`s a link to an interesting submission request for science fiction writing out of Osaka: http://osaka.craigslist.jp/wrg/1780784902.html. Elance is another one that looks to be quite useful to us writer sorts.

And hopefully that will keep you busy for awhile!

Hi, Brainstorm Crew!

Hope everyone’s enjoying the start of spring (a link to JQ’s new issue is here in case you haven’t seen it yet).

Thanks always for your contributions and ideas and feel to link the new issue to your own sites/blogs to help promote us.

We are also taking on new writers if you’d like to provide some “local international coverage” of your chapter to appear in our pages. Contact me at magazine@jetaany.org for details.

Some of you have already signed up for stories at our quarterly meeting in February, so the below deadlines are the same (let me know how those stories are coming along). Here are the ideas needing takers for our May/June 2010 issue and beyond. De wa…
Deadlines are as follows:

FRIDAY, APRIL 2: Registering a story assignment with me at magazine@jetaany.org, or pitching an idea of your own for approval. First come, first served, and all suggestions are welcome. We’ve been picking up more new writers with each issue, and I encourage all first-timers whether you consider yourself a seasoned writer or not. (Just mind the deadlines!)
FRIDAY, APRIL 23: Deadline for submitting a final draft of your story. Extensions will be granted on a case-by-case basis, less so for new writers.
I would also greatly appreciate added assistance for the following:
REVIVE THE SOCIETY PAGE!: Are you a superJET who’s up-to-date on what’s happening in the lives of our members here in New York and elsewhere? I’d like to bring back the JETAANY Society Page with your help. I would carry this feature in every issue, to run at least half a page (600 words). E-mail me for more details and we’ll talk.

COPY EDITING/PROOFREADING: For those of you who like reading this thing cover to cover. Multiple times.

AD SALES CALLS: More sales means more JETAANY-sponsored events.  It takes under two minutes to get an answer in most cases.  Write for more info.
YOUR OWN STORY IDEAS: Anything’s fair game! Some of our most interesting material comes from suggestions from our more dedicated readers.

Now the fun stuff. Below are the story ideas. Thanks for reading and providing your support, and e-mail at magazine@jetaany.org with any other questions/ideas.

**************************************

CONSULATE GENERAL JAPAN CARAVAN

TOP PICK FOR A STORY! Help out the consulate to teach more young people about Japan . This is a decade-plus program run by New York ’s Consulate General of Japan that sends consulate staff (American and Japanese) to New York high schools and junior high schools to introduce students to Japanese culture. Back in January, I participated as a volunteer and enjoyed taking part in a Q&A with a very enthusiastic anime/manga club and faculty. The purpose of this article will be to increase awareness of the program so more JETAA members can get involved.

J-CATION AT JAPAN SOCIETY REVIEW – APRIL 10

From Japan Society’s homepage: Feast on everything Japan Society has to offer at j-CATION, a day-long event taking over Japan Society’s theater, gallery, lounge, and classrooms.
Take your taste buds on a trip to Japan as the first-ever j-CATION digs into the theme of Japanese food.  Feast your eyes on Edible Cinema, drool over innovative bento box creations, and enjoy how-tos, tastings, and unexpected pairings of speakers throughout the day.  Authentic and unusual drinks and bites satisfy cravings of the curious.  The evening explodes into a feeding frenzy of music as the delicious sounds of Asobi Seksu deliver the main course.  A D.J.’s mouthwatering, sweet beats rock j-CATION into the night.

http://www.japansociety.org/event_detail?eid=39639237

LUCKYRICE FESTIVAL REVIEW – APR 29-MAY 2

For JET foodies! Attendees will receive a 10% discount by the promoters.

This festival—which is all about Asian food and will be held over three nights in different Manhattan locations—is being produced in collaboration with an acclaimed Culinary Council of chefs – Daniel Boulud, David Chang, Eric Ripert, Tadashi Ono and many more–and is focused on celebrating the influence of Asian culture and cuisines in America.

www.luckyrice.com

SALON SERIES/SAKURA MATSURI @ BBG – MAY 1 & 2

Salon Series is an ongoing program of informative and educational lectures, lecture-demonstration and performances aimed at those who are interested in deepening their knowledge of the performing arts of Japan . The series is held on Sunday afternoons three times a year at Tenri Cultural Institute, and will perform at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden ’s annual Sakura Matsuri in early May.  I can put you in touch with SS’ president, who is also an accomplished Japanese dancer and performer.

Sakura Matsuri is New York city ’s “rite of spring,” a phenomenal weekend celebrating Japanese culture with over 60 events and performances. Enjoy contemporary and traditional Japanese music and dance, taiko drumming, ikebana flower arranging, Japanese DJs, presentations on the art of manga, tea ceremonies, and workshops for all ages.

JET ALUM RUNNING FOR CONGRESS

JET alumnus David Boling has announced his candidacy for the 2nd congressional seat in Arkansas . Support your fellow alum with a profile and a story about his campaign efforts!

www.bolingforcongress.com

JAPAN INFORMATION CENTER

Profile. Take advantage of Japan Information Center to promote Japan !
The Japan Information Center (JIC) is the cultural and public affairs section of the Consulate General of Japan in New York . The JIC’s Services:
- Distributes educational materials, posters and pamphlets on Japan
- Provides speakers on various aspects of Japan to the schools throughout
this region
- Provides information on the Japanese Government Scholarships & the JET
Program
- Distributes the e-newsletter Japan Info
- Loans videos/DVDs and cultural artifacts
Please sign up to subscribe Japan Info here:
http://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/c/index.html
For more information and to contact JIC, please go to the website here:
http://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/b/01.html

ASIA SOCIETY

Earlier this year NYC’s Asia Society held a concert called “Hogaku,” or Japanese folk instruments played with modern flair. We’ve never profiled Asia Society, so this would be a great time to find out more about how they select their Japanese attractions and exhibitions. www.asiasociety.org

Japan Society’s Spring 2010 Performing Arts Schedule – Kyogen, etc.

This season features kyogen (this weekend!) live theater and music.  Am open to profiles/reviews of any of the following listed at the page below.

http://www.japansociety.org/performingarts

Exhibit: Kuniyoshi Monster Prints‏ at Japan Society – REVIEW

Graphic Heroes, Magic Monsters: Japanese Prints by Utagawa Kuniyoshi from the Arthur R. Miller Collection, March 12-June 13, 2010, at Japan Society Gallery

Thrashing sea creatures, samurai warriors, and a giant, looming skeleton are among the distinguishing subjects of the brashest of Japan ’s Ukiyo-e masters, Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), whose populist oeuvre is to be presented by Japan Society Gallery from March 12 to June 13, 2010.

Fresh from its spring 2009 showing at London ’s Royal Academy of Arts, where it was the surprise smash hit of the season, Graphic Heroes, Magic Monsters: Japanese Prints by Utagawa Kuniyoshi from the Arthur R. Miller Collection marks the first major exhibition of Kuniyoshi’s work in the United States in nearly 30 years.  The exhibition has been organized by the Royal Academy in collaboration with Arthur R. Miller and The British Museum.  The vast majority of the 150 color woodblock prints on display are from the Arthur R. Miller Collection, New York , generously loaned to Japan Society by the American Friends of the British Museum .

INTERVIEW CLAIR’S PROGRAMME COORDINATOR

Sacha Battrick works in the JET Programme Management Department
for the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) in Tokyo . If you’ve ever wondered just what a Programme Coordinator does, here’s your chance to do a profile and tell the rest of the JET universe.
http://www.clair.or.jp

JET ALUM/SAKE EXPERT JOHN GAUNTNER

John is a noted lecturer on sake who travels the world to speak all about this appealing beverage. He just published a new eBook entitled Japan For Sake Lovers. Profile John by e-mail and maybe he’ll send you a gratis copy of the book to help boost the piece!

www.sake-world.com

ISSHONI LONDON – JET Alum Vanessa Villalobos

London JET alum’s blog: events, news, review and interviews. I met her back in December and this would be a good Q&A piece for any JETs wanting to learn more about how our alumni groups operate overseas.

http://www.isshonilondon.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Isshoni-London/119415767689

http://twitter.com/IsshoniVanessa

SAMURAI BEAT RADIO

This site deals with J-pop and culture in the U.S. They hosted this neat event at Kinokuniya in December. Profile.

Rate J-Pop Christmas Songs at Kinokuniya: Sat. Dec 19th!

Samurai Beat Radio will be participating in Kinokuniya Bookstore’s big Christmas Raffle event on Sat. Dec 19 starting 1pm.

It’s “Samurai Beat Radio presents Rate the J-Pop Christmas Songs!”.

Vote online now! Find and hear the selections here on SBR blog!!

http://blog.samuraibeatradio.com

info@samuraibeatradio.com

JAPAN NITE 2010 AT BOWERY BALLROOM

Annual concert featuring indie acts from Japan , which just wrapped up last week in Manhattan after swinging through the SXSW festival. I can put you in touch with the organizer if you’d like to do a profile on the show itself or any of the individual bands.

Lineup: Red Bacteria Vacuum / Omodaka / JinnnyOops! / Okamato’s

http://www.boweryballroom.com/event/4053

BAND PROFILES: ECHOSTREAM/SUPERGLORIOUS

Echostream appeared at last spring’s New York Anime festival.  Their singer is Japanese and they’ve performed at such venues like Bowery Ballroom.  Profile.

Superglorious is an NYC based event producer that produced the FETES ’09 rock concert following last September’s New York Anime Festival.  They live events with music lovers in mind with a Japanese twist.  From their homepage: Music is energy, music is spiritual.  Our goal is simply to push the limits of what is being done live and blow minds…

Hayden Brereton

www.superglorious.com

A CRITICAL JAPANESE ASSESSMENT OF ‘HEROES’

I’ve never seen the hit show, but I understand that it’s featured several prominent Japanese and Japanese American actors who speak plenty of Nihongo as the scenes call for it. Any fans of the show out there who care to do a commentary of whether or not it’s authentic and/or a good example of “cool Japan”’s soft power in the American mainstream?

JETLOG: LAURA POP (PROFILE)

Laura is a current JET (Mie-ken 2008-) who writes fantasy and science fiction for

children and young adults, and is an occasional playwright/film maker.

Here’s one of her short stories titled “In theShadow Realm” –

http://www.viatouch.com/learn/Storystation/Stories/in_shadow_realm.jsp

Here’s a documentary she made in Malawi (on

YouTube):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApdQpfi4i7E

To read about her amazing adventures all over Japan , check out her her blog:  http://laurajanepopp.livejournal.com

JET ALUM IN JAPAN STEPHEN PALANIK

Stephen (Fukushima-ken, 2004-08) is currently living in Japan post-JET, and has helped JetWit.com honcho Steven Horowitz in posting jobs that are currently up for grabs in Japan . Would make a nice JETlog profile.
MATT SCHLECHT, EDITOR OF NYABlog

Matt (Akita-ken, ’98-’99) is the editor of online art listings and reviews site NY Art Beat (www.NYArtBeat.com

). Even though it covers the NYC art world, it has a strong connection to Tokyo . Profile.

TEAMTEACHERS.COM

An innovative telecommunications site for Team Teaching, founded by a JET. www.teamteachers.com

JOB PROSPECTS FOR JETS, CIRCA 2010

I’m interested in a piece that talks about the challenges new returnee JETs face after coming home and looking for work in this economy, as well as other JET alums considering new jobs or just looking for work.  This could be as simple as anecdotes (along the lines of our “How’s the Economy Treating You?” feature from fall 2008), but I’d like to turn this into an actual feature story, with at least three volunteers providing the details. And if you happened to have found a job in this economic climate, share the joy to give the rest of us some hope!

JETSET – CANADIAN JETS IN JAPAN

Melissa C. runs JETset, a site for Canadian JETs in Japan and the number one Web site for JET participants. Site profile. http://www.jetsetjapan.com

JET ALUM KIRK AKAHOSHI / QUARTERLIFE CRISIS

Kirk Akahoshi is a life coach and NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) practitioner who is also currently pursuing a marriage and family therapy license. He leads the “Quarterlife Crisis Workshop” and would make an interesting subject for the self-employed/entrepreneur JET alum angle.  www.QuarterlifeCrisisCoach.com.

JETlog: DAN DOOHER

Dan is a prefectural advisor in Akita-ken.  Would make a good profile (to learn just what a PA does) or JETlog profile piece.

Hi, Brainstorm Crew!

Hope everyone’s enjoying the start of the new year (a link to JQ’s current issue is here in case you haven’t seen it yet, thanks always for your contributions and ideas and feel to link the new issue to your own sites/blogs to promote us). Below are the story ideas needing takers for our March 2010 issue and beyond. De wa…

Deadlines are as follows:

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5: Registering a story assignment with me at magazine@jetaany.org, or pitching an idea of your own for approval. All suggestions are welcome. We’ve been picking up more new writers with each issue, and I encourage all first-timers whether you consider yourself a seasoned writer or not. (Just mind the deadlines!)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14: Deadline for submitting a final draft of your story. Extensions will be granted on a case-by-case basis, less so for new writers.

I would also greatly appreciate added assistance with the following:

AD SALES CALLS: More sales means more JETAANY-sponsored events.  It takes under two minutes to get an answer in most cases.  Write for more info.

COPY EDITING/PROOFREADING: For those of you who like reading this thing cover to cover. Multiple times.

YOUR OWN STORY IDEAS: Anything’s fair game! Some of our most interesting material comes from suggestions from our more dedicated readers.

Now the fun stuff. Below are the story ideas. Thanks for reading and providing your support, and e-mail at magazine@jetaany.org with any other questions/ideas.

**************************************

CONSULATE GENERAL JAPAN CARAVAN

This is a decade-plus program run by New York’s Consulate General of Japan that sends consulate staff (American and Japanese) to New York high schools and junior high schools to introduce students to Japanese culture. Earlier this month, I participated as a volunteer and enjoyed taking part in a Q&A with a very enthusiastic anime/manga club and faculty. The purpose of this article will be to increase awareness of the program so more JETAA members can get involved.

ASIA SOCIETY

Earlier this month NYC’s Asia Society held a concert called “Hogaku,” or Japanese folk instruments played with modern flair. We’ve never profiled Asia Society, so this would be a great time to find out more about how they select their Japanese attractions and exhibitions. www.asiasociety.org

TENRI CULTURAL INSTITUTE

Tenri Cultural Institute is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote the study of Japanese language and the appreciation of international art forms. Based in Greenwich Village, it also houses the Tenrikyo Church, which has its own interesting history. http://www.tenri.org/

Japan Nite 2010 at Bowery Ballroom

Annual concert featuring indie acts from Japan. This year’s edition will be held Sunday, 3/21 at Bowery Ballroom. I’m looking for a preview piece con the history of the festival with quotes from either members of one of the groups or the promoters. (Info for all acts at ticket homepage below.

Lineup: Red Bacteria Vacuum / Omodaka / JinnnyOops! / Okamato’s

http://www.boweryballroom.com/event/4053

Japan Society’s Spring 2010 Performing Arts Schedule

This season features kyogen, live theater and music. Am open to profiles/reviews of any of the following listed at the page below.

http://www.japansociety.org/performingarts

Exhibit: Kuniyoshi Monster Prints‏ at Japan Society – PREVIEW OR REVIEW

Graphic Heroes, Magic Monsters: Japanese Prints by Utagawa Kuniyoshi from the Arthur R. Miller Collection, March 12-June 13, 2010, at Japan Society Gallery

Thrashing sea creatures, samurai warriors, and a giant, looming skeleton are among the distinguishing subjects of the brashest of Japan’s Ukiyo-e masters, Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), whose populist oeuvre is to be presented by Japan Society Gallery from March 12 to June 13, 2010.

Fresh from its spring 2009 showing at London’s Royal Academy of Arts, where it was the surprise smash hit of the season, Graphic Heroes, Magic Monsters: Japanese Prints by Utagawa Kuniyoshi from the Arthur R. Miller Collection marks the first major exhibition of Kuniyoshi’s work in the United States in nearly 30 years.  The exhibition has been organized by the Royal Academy in collaboration with Arthur R. Miller and The British Museum.  The vast majority of the 150 color woodblock prints on display are from the Arthur R. Miller Collection, New York, generously loaned to Japan Society by the American Friends of the British Museum.

ISSHONI LONDON – JET Alum Vanessa Villalobos

London JET alum’s blog: events, news, review and interviews. I met her back in December and this would be a good Q&A piece for any JETs wanting to learn more about how our alumni groups operate overseas.

http://www.isshonilondon.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Isshoni-London/119415767689

http://twitter.com/IsshoniVanessa

SAMURAI BEAT RADIO

This site deals with J-pop and culture in the U.S. They hosted this neat event at Kinokuniya in December. Profile.

Rate J-Pop Christmas Songs at Kinokuniya: Sat. Dec 19th!

Samurai Beat Radio will be participating in Kinokuniya Bookstore’s big Christmas Raffle event on Sat. Dec 19 starting 1pm.

Vote online now! Find and hear the selections here on SBR blog!!

http://blog.samuraibeatradio.com

info@samuraibeatradio.com

JAPANESE HIP-HOP IN NY

Anyone know of Japanese hip-hop groups or amateur dancers here in New York? I’d like to do a profile on this growing scene.

SUPERGLORIOUS

Superglorious is an NYC based event producer that produced the FETES ’09 rock concert following last September’s New York Anime Festival.  They live events with music lovers in mind with a Japanese twist.  From their homepage: Music is energy, music is spiritual.  Our goal is simply to push the limits of what is being done live and blow minds…

Hayden Brereton

http://www.superglorious.com/

BAND: THE HEIZ (ERIC BRESLER, TOKYO NO RECORDS)

Hayden’s friend runs a label, and he’s doing a tour for a Japanese punk band called the Heiz: http://www.myspace.com/theheiz. Open to a profile.

A CRITICAL JAPANESE ASSESSMENT OF ‘HEROES’

I’ve never seen the hit show, but I understand that it’s featured several prominent Japanese and Japanese American actors who speak plenty of Nihongo as the scenes call for it. Any fans of the show out there who care to do a commentary of whether or not it’s authentic and/or a good example of “cool Japan”’s soft power in the American mainstream?

STUDYLINK

From Australian JET Josh Flannery:

Hi. I have actually been including Japanese universities and language schools in our e-newsletter each month. This is actually in line with part my own business (StudyLink) where we promote universities from around the world – including Japan.

For example:
http://studylink.com/display/provider/provider-info.html?pid=pid-mm-01-iujapn

Professors can be helpful however they are often not always the decision makers and most universities large enough to offer quality programs targeting foreigners have their own advertising/marketing offices. Its a case of knocking on alot of doors and talking to alot of people.

Is your idea to sell some form of advertising and promotion to Japan based universities?

About StudyLink:

- established in Australia in 1991
- now in the US, UK, India and Japan (I set up the StudyLink K.K. in Osaka in 2005) but real reach is in its network of 150+ education agent companies world wide
- StudyLink powers a suite of websites which are the most used resource for students during the decision making process
- Besides the web portals which offer a research tool to students, we have developed a online application system specifically for students, student recruitment companies and universities/colleges to use

JETLOG: LAURA POP (PROFILE)

Laura is a current JET (Mie-ken 2008-) who writes fantasy and science fiction for children and young adults, and is an occasional playwright/film maker.

Here’s one of her short stories titled “In theShadow Realm” – http://www.viatouch.com/learn/Storystation/Stories/in_shadow_realm.jsp

Here’s a documentary she made in Malawi (on YouTube):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApdQpfi4i7E

To read about her amazing adventures all over Japan, check out her her blog:  http://laurajanepopp.livejournal.com

JET ALUM IN JAPAN STEPHEN PALANIK

Stephen (Fukushima-ken, 2004-08) is currently living in Japan post-JET, and has helped JetWit.com honcho Steven Horowitz in posting jobs that are currently up for grabs in Japan. Would make a nice JETlog profile.

MATT SCHLECHT, EDITOR OF NYABlog

Matt (Akita-ken, ’98-’99) is the editor of online art listings and reviews site NY Art Beat (www.NYArtBeat.com). Even though it covers the NYC art world, it has a strong connection to Tokyo. Profile.

TEAMTEACHERS.COM

An innovative telecommunications site for Team Teaching, founded by a JET. http://www.teamteachers.com

JOB PROSPECTS FOR JETS, CIRCA 2010

I’m interested in a piece that talks about the challenges new returnee JETs face after coming home and looking for work in this economy, as well as other JET alums considering new jobs or just looking for work.  This could be as simple as anecdotes (along the lines of our “How’s the Economy Treating You?” feature from fall 2008), but I’d like to turn this into an actual feature story, with at least three volunteers providing the details. And if you happened to have found a job in this economic climate, share the joy to give the rest of us some hope!

JETSET – CANADIAN JETS IN JAPAN

Melissa C. runs JETset, a site for Canadian JETs in Japan and the number one Web site for JET participants. Site profile. http://www.jetsetjapan.com/

JET ALUM KIRK AKAHOSHI / QUARTERLIFE CRISIS

Kirk Akahoshi is a life coach and NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) pracitioner who is also currently pursuing a marriage and family therapy license. He leads the “Quarterlife Crisis Workshop” and would make an interesting subject for the self-employed/entrepreneur JET alum angle.  www.QuarterlifeCrisisCoach.com

JETlog: DAN DOOHER

Dan is a prefectural advisor in Akita-ken.  Would make a good profile (to learn just what a PA does) or JETlog piece.

Laura Popp (Mie-ken, 2009-Present) is a current JET who writes fantasy and science fiction for children and young adults, and is an occasional playwright/film maker.  Her short work includes a short story titled “In theShadow Realm” and a documentary she made in Malawi.  To read about her amazing adventures all over Japan, go to her blog at laurajanepopp.blogspot.com. (And check out the Authors/Books section of the JetWit Library for a list of more writers in the JET-o-sphere.)

Hello again!  This week I would like to report on the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) conference in Yokohama.  It actually occurred on November 14^th, but, alas, I have been ill with swine flu and other “opportunistic infections” so I was unable to report.  But now you get to hear all about it!

For those of you who don`t know, SCBWI is a great group to get involved with if you write for kids.  They have lots of events, critique groups, contests, and resources.  Here is their website: http://www.scbwi.jp/

A note on transportation. There are many events for writers and translators in Japan, but most are confined to the big cities. For those of you who live in a small town like me, you may be wondering how you will ever get to this wonderful career-building opportunities and still stay within your tight school-teacher budget.  Fear not!

There is a wonderful, often overlooked form of transportation in Japan called the night bus.  It may seem like a pain, but the bus I took from my home in Nabari to Yokohama was very comfortable.  The bus ride was about eight hours, so if I were more accustomed to sleeping on a bus, I probably could have been well rested when we arrived very early in the morning.  The earliness gave me plenty of time for sightseeing before the conference, and since my bus home didn`t leave until 11:00pm.  Plus it cost less than half than taking the shinkansen, and there`s no need to pay for a hotel!

That said, I was very tired when I arrived back in Nabari at 7:00am.  Fortunately it was Sunday, but I would not recommend taking the night bus if you have to go to work the next day.  Also, be warned, not all night buses are created equal. Check to see if the bus you want to ride has reclining seats or not, and if there is a bathroom on board or if they stop ever few hours, turn on the lights, and have people jostling past you trying to get in and out constantly.  If you are interested in taking a night bus somewhere, I would recommend contacting the main bus station in your town.  Most of them don’t speak English, but a Japanese friend helped me get the information and make reservations over the phone.  You may be surprised how many places offer night buses to common destinations such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, etc.

(FYI, Yokohama is famous for its beautiful gardens and harbor, but if you want to see pictures of that, you`ll have to check them out at my regular blog.)

The conference itself was very beneficial.  The main speaker was senior editor Alvina Ling from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.  In the first session, she described her own path to becoming a publisher, and how her father met and married her mother.  “We both had very clear goals,” she said.  “And so should you.  The five steps to becoming a published author are to set your goal, do your research, outline a step by step plan, work hard and preserver, and network like crazy!”

The next session was about her day to day life as a children`s publisher.  Turns out she spends most of her time in meetings with other editors, the marketing team, designers, illustrators, etc.  Any free moment is spent checking and answering email, though she admits that she, like most publishers, is always 2-3 months behind on this.  Most of the actual reading of manuscripts goes on at home, after hours.  So in other words, she really loves her job, because it`s her life.

There are eight stages to “bringing a book to life” she said.  Acquisitions, editing, transmittal, copy editing, design, galley stage, marketing and publicity, and post production. 　In acquisitions, she reads the manuscript to see if she would be interested in taking on the project.  She has to be really passionate about it, because it will take at least two years before the book is actually on the book shelves in Borders or Barnes and Nobel making money.

Also, she has to come up with a publicity pitch for the production and marketing staff and the head publisher to make everyone excited about it.  It`s sort of like bearing your soul, she said.  She admitted that there were a few times she was really in love with a project but it was rejected by other employees in the house, and she actually went in the bathroom and cried.  It was really reassuring to hear that publishers know what it`s like to be rejected too.  That`s the sort of publisher you want, she said.  One who will be so dedicated to your work that he/she will fight for your book.

A lot of times she knows something is good, but she just doesn’t feel she`s passionate enough about it to be the right publisher for the project.  From personal experience, it can take six months for the publisher to get back to you about whether he or she is personally interested or not.  Then it can take another six months until they tell you whether the whole crew is on board or not.

The second stage is editorial, which usually takes six months, but can last as long as a year.  She said that, contrary to popular opinion, editors do still edit.  That doesn’t mean you should send in your first or even second draft. You want the book to be as good as you can make it, but then expect the editor to make massive revisions if he/she sees fit.  (Sometimes the editor may even ask you to rearrange plot points, take out or add characters.)  Does that mean you have to accept all his/her suggestions?  No.  If an editor agrees to a project, that means he/she believes in it, and is usually willing to make compromises.  But don`t just dismiss what your editor says either. Editors are insiders to the business and know what will sell and what won`t.  Their primary concern is keeping the company in business, and the way they do that is by making the book as good and sellable as it can be.

The third stage is transmittal.  This is when decisions are made about how to produce the book, how many copies to make, etc.  Then comes copy editing, which is basically checking for typos and minor errors in grammar and spelling.  Hopefully by this time all the major editing is done.  Half way through the process there are meetings about design.  Another “contrary to popular opinion” point, nearly all children`s books are assigned illustrators after the text is accepted by the publisher.  Author/illustrator duos are very hard to break in.  If the author is also an illustrator, that`s another story, but even then, for a new writer, publishers usually prefer to assign them a well-known illustrator.  Sort of how a producer might package a new screenwriter with an experienced director.

Little Brown`s head designer, Alison Impey, talked quite a bit about this stage throughout the conference.  In addition to your typical illustrated children`s book for 2-8 year-olds, for middle grade novels (ages 10-14) the publisher might want half-page illustrations at the beginning or end of chapters, illustrated inserts with small text, ornamental lettering, maps or diagrams (especially for fantasy and mystery) a character bio page with pictures, an illustrated glossary, any number of things. This was really exciting to me, because I always pictured these sorts of things for my middle-grade novel Dargon, the Human Slayer that I`m submitting to Little Brown, but a lot of publishers don`t do that sort of thing for middle-grade novels anymore, especially in the older (12-14 year-old) range.

After design come the galley proofs. I used to work for an anthology publisher, and if this is a universal term, galley proofs are long sheets of paper with all the text and illustrations and designs, a final draft to check before the real thing is put to press and book bound. Advanced reader copies (ARCs) for reviewers come from this stage.

Last of all, Ms. Ling talked about marketing and publicity.  She said another common misconception is that publishers don`t do anything to promote their books anymore and leave it all up to the author.  This is simply not true. There is a lot they do behind the scenes.  At Little Brown they get it into all the major book stores, into the school catalogs and major libraries, book a few primary interviews and school visits, and get reviews.  But alas, a lot of the publicity is up the author.  She recommended doing school visits like crazy and charging for them, as this is how most professional children`s authors actually win their bread and butter.  Only about 1 in 100 children`s authors make it on writing alone and even then most of them choose to do visits anyway to get more kids to read their books.

I`ve had a number of old-time writer friends tell me that the best way to become a published author is to quit your job and do some decent starving.  I hate to break it to you, but these days even if you were to sell a story the day you quit your job, you wouldn`t see that paycheck for at least six months.

Even in the short story market, it`s not pretty.  Of the ten “on spec” stories (submissions without commission) I have been paid for, I have never received a pay check sooner than four months after sending in the story, and in that one case, the publisher was less than a twenty-minute drive from my house.  I receive my average paycheck about six months after I send in the story. Most “professional paying markets” only pay about one cent per word, so a three thousand word story gets you $30.  Woohoo.  You probably spent half that much on paper, ink, and postage just to get it to them and receive their response, not to mention the sample copy of the magazine you had to read or any hard copies you gave your friends to edit before you submitted the story.  Ms. Ling said, and I quote, “Either find yourself a day job that leaves you plenty of time to write, be a paid speaker every weekend, or marry somebody rich.”

Not that I`m trying to preach doom and gloom or that it`s impossible to become a professional author.  I`m just trying to emphasize that if you want to make a living at it, you have to be creative about marketing and publicity, not just your writing.　Also, on a brighter note, commissioned work is much better.  I`ve done two writing jobs on commission, three if you count a presentation on business writing that I wrote and presented myself.  All of them paid me within a week after I turned in the final draft, and, except for the fiction script, paid at least ten times as much as I`ve ever received by simply sending stuff in on spec.  Even the fiction movie script paid more than twice as much.  So commissions are awesome!  If you`re willing to give up a certain amount of artistic freedom, and know how/where to get them. That`s another topic entirely.

For lunch, I took my bento to the rose garden and ate in the gazebo.  I`ll go ahead and tantalize you with one picture:

Then I walked along the harbor view again. On the way back, I passed by a shop titled in English “The Best Cheesecake Café.”  If you find yourself in Yokohama, try it out.  It was expensive, but incredibly melt-in-you-mouth smooth and rich, and float-off-your-feet light.

In the next section Ms. Ling discussed the “good, the bad, and the ugly” of the publishing business.  There were a lot of good pointers in this one.  First of all, she said if you want a good publisher, you need a good agent, because most publishers these days don’t take unagented submissions.  There is the small press route, but the chances of “hitting it big” with a small press are next to nil.  They just don’t have the distribution and marketing. I asked her about self-publishing, e-publishing and vanity press, to which she replied with words along the lines of, if you want something for your friends and family to enjoy, those are great, but if you dream of the world reading and enjoying your book, your best bet is still large or mid-sized traditional presses.  She said e-publishing has more than quadrupled in the last year at Little Brown, but still accounts for less than 1% of their sales.  The same is true for most big houses.

She also mentioned that it’s better to have a small advance (money upfront) and a good royalty (percentage of profits after you earn out your advance).  The last thing you want is to have a big advance and not earn it out.  In the end, publishers` decisions are based on profit and loss charts, and if they paid you more than the book sold, they are not likely to work with you again.  And neither is anyone else. A good advance is about $5,000, and a good royalty rate is about 6%.  Of course, this varies from publisher to publisher.  Ms. Ling said you know you’re doing well when a royalty check can pay the mortgage for that month.

After that session, Ms. Ling got together with Little Brown’s head designer, Alison Impey, to talk about how they pair books with illustrators and cover designers.  It’s a really interesting process.  They look at an illustrator’s style, themes, past projects, notoriety, and of course whether or not they have the time.  Interestingly, Ms. Impey said she finds most of her illustrators through on-line forums and networking, not through submitted work.  Also, the person who does the interior illustrations might not be the same person who does the cover, or other interior work such as text ornamentation or maps.  Writers at Little Brown have some say in the cover, especially if they have an agent or a general idea such as “I want a dragon” or “could this be a collage?” But writers almost always go with what the publisher suggests.

We had Q&A from 4:00-5:00, but the only question that stuck out in my mind was “How long should you wait after querying an agent or publisher before you ask them about the status of your book?”  She said four months.  Sounds reasonable.  She said if they don`t respond within a month to that question, you have every right to start submitting to other publishers, even if that publishers says “no simultaneous submissions.”　Then if the first publisher gets back to you a year later with a yes that you haven`t gotten from anyone else, you can still follow up with them without feeling as if you acted unprofessionally.

If you have gotten a yes from someone else, that`s when you seek out an agent in earnest, and they negotiate an auction.  Auctions can be good or bad.  Sometimes they make publishers competitive and they`ll bet as high as they can to get the book, other times they`ll back out of the competition. Overall, an auction is a good thing.  If nothing else, it boosts your reputation and career, making it easier to get an agent and publisher in the future.

Personally, I feel that I gained a lot from the conference.  I was afraid it might be a waste of time, because I`ve been to so many already, and there`s only so much that can be said about improving characters, plotting, editing, etc.  But this conference was different, because it gave me a clear view of what exactly goes on in a publishing house, and what an editor does on a day-to-day basis.  It was very encouraging.  All writers need a reminder every once and awhile that editors are people too.  They`re not out to rob you of your dreams.  In fact, they really want you to succeed, because they love books.

At the end, Ms. Ling mentioned that there should be no reason why we can`t at least begin our published careers here in Japan.  Later on it might put a damper of publicity and sales, but many English writers find creative ways around this, such as holding book signings at international schools, doing week-long tours twice a year in their home countries, and of course, lots of internet publicity. She said living in a foreign country does not affect a publisher`s decision to publish an author. We also received a list of resources such as online critique groups, publishing and writing conferences in Japan, support groups, and useful English market guides we can get in Japan.  This was the most encouraging thing of all, because I was thinking I wouldn`t have the resources I needed to publish a book while in Japan.  It`s going to happen.  It`s just a matter of time…

Speaking of that, as with over 90% of publishers these days, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is a closed house.  They only take submissions that are represented by an agent, or ones that receive a recommendation from someone they trust.  But for being at the conference, Ms. Ling gave us permission to query her through March 15th!  She`s looking for middle-grade books (ages 10-14), so first I`m querying her about Dargon, the Human Slayer! If she dosn`t like that one, I`ll query Treasure Traitor.  Wish me luck!

Here`s the group photo.  Unfortunately, not everyone’s in it because some people had to leave early, but most of us are here.  Ms. Ling is second from the left in front.  Holly Thompson, the woman who organized the conference, is on her left.  She`s president of the Society of Children`s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Tokyo chapter.  The woman on Ms. Ling`s right is Alison Impey, senior designer at Little Brown.  I am in the front row wearing the black suit, with my head tilted to one side.

After the conference, I went to Yokohama Chinatown!  But to read about that and my other adventures in Japan with pictures and video, visit my regular blog at  http://laurajanepopp.blogspot.com/

With the Holiday Season and the cold Northwest winter upon us, PNWJETAA is putting together our annual newsletter. Every year, we welcome any contribution our members can make, and would love to hear from you.  From the tribulations of Climbing Mt. Fuji, to the observations of a friend-of-jet observing the dynamics of the JETAA crowd from afar, any and all submissions are welcome, and appreciated! This newsletter is a chance to showcase the talents of our diverse alumni, and it is only  through contributions from members like you can we make it a success!

The Due Date for this year is Sunday, December 20th, as we plan on having these puppies in the mail by the start of the new year! Please send your articles, prose, photos, stories, haiku, art etc. to:

pnwjetaa.mediacoordinator [/at/] gmail.com

…and direct any questions you may have to the same address. We are looking forward to your work!

All the best, and Happy Holidays!

Ben Erickson- PNWJETAA Media Coordinator and the rest of your PNWJETAA Officers

DSG, a Clinical Software and Services provider of technologies for the pharmaceutical industry, is seeking multiple Japanese Translators to assist with a large project.

This is a work from home position

Job Description:  The selected candidates will work on translations from English to Japanese using Microsoft Excel.

Requirements

• Candidates should be Native Speakers/Writers in Japanese or should have equivalent skiils. Writing skills is a must.

• Candidates should be fluent in English at a Business level

• Candidates must be familiar with Microsoft Excel

• Candidates must be able to type in Japanese

• Knowledge/experience in the medical, pharmaceutical and IT industries a plus

Company Profile
Since 1992, Document Solutions Group’s goal has been to create intuitive software solutions that improve efficiencies and produce significant cost savings for over 200 life science clients while providing unparalleled customer service.  We have created better, more reliable solutions dramatically changing the way our customers collect and manage clinical trial data.  Our software and services not only expedite trials to bring drugs and devices to market faster, they achieve significant cost-savings and deliver enterprise-wide benefits.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Ilisha Smith

Corporate Recruiter

DSG, Inc.

325 Technology Drive |  Malvern, PA 19355

Office:  +1 484-913-2148

Fax:    +1 484-913-0238

ismith@dsg-us.com

Paid Contract Gig Available: Looking for someone in Japan – or someone able to write very well in Japanese – to post ads on message board and follow up with email inquiries. If you or someone you know is interested – let me know!

To apply, contact: Yan <ybudman@hotmail.com>  (If you apply, Kirk says feel free to mention his name.  JetWit says to feel free to mention JetWit too.)

Hello, everyone!  I`m new to Japan and the JetWit blog, so allow me to introduce myself!  I`m a sci-fi/fantasy young adult writer from Oklahoma in the U.S.  I love to travel, as you can probably tell from my blog, so most of my posts will be about my wonderful adventures all over Asia and any writing news I learn about.

This week I`ll be reporting on two writers` events I attended last weekend,  a critique meeting in Osaka and a conference in Kyoto! For those of you who don`t know, there is an excellent group called English Writers and Readers that meets every Saturday in Osaka from 2:30 to however long people want to stay.  It’s not just for writers; if you love to read there is also a book club and various other discussion boards and events.  But if you are a writer, of any genre or form, you can email your work to group members and have it critiqued the following Saturday.  For me it was very productive. They tore apart (figuratively) my story “Tapestry of Time,” but now I know how to make it better.  I will warn you that the turnout for meetings tends to be very low (there were only four of us), so if it`s quite a trek for you, I suggest getting a general idea of how many will be there before you go all that way.

One of the girls in the writers` club, Rianna, was really sweet and let me stay with her Saturday night. On Sunday morning, I headed off to the writers’ conference in Kyoto. I was a little disappointed.  Good luck trying to publish an English fiction book in Japan, they said, because no publishers here accept them. There are English printers here, however, and a strong potential market of foreign readers.  So if you have a book already published elsewhere and would like to promote it in Japan, there are several resources available to you, including Printed Matter Press.  Here is their website: http://www.printedmatterpress.com/.   And of course, if you want to go the self-publishing route, these guys can help with that too.

Other than that, the “Revising Your Novel” seminar, presented by Holly Thompson, was most helpful.   Her basic strategy was to systematically go through your novel and create a detailed spreadsheet of necessary revisions in character, setting, theme, etc. and mark these various “threads” wherever they appear with colored sticky notes.  Then, read through the novel with only one of these threads in mind.  That way you can stay focused and not get bogged down by the sheer size of the project.  Here’s a picture of her session:

During lunch, I happened to run into the right people at the right time. I was looking for a place to eat my bento and sat with three ladies outside.  We got to talking, and one of the three happened to be Suzanne Kamata (Tokushima-ken, 1988-90) who I`d been trying to get a hold of for some time. She’s an American published young adult writer living in Japan who’s involved in the SCBWI (Society of Children`s Book Writers and Illustrators). She invited me to go to their major conference in Yokohama on November 28th that`s going to host Alvina Ling, a Senior Editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.  What an amazing opportunity!  For those who are interested, the registration deadline is November 4th.  You can sign up at their website, http://www.scbwi.jp/.

To hear more about the Kyoto conference and my other adventures in Japan, visit my full blog at laurajanepopp.livejournal.com!

Hello everyone.  Here are two upcoming JETAA events I’d like you all to be aware of.

Thanks
Tom Gregorich

TELL Exceptional Parenting Program: Educational Workshop for Families of Children with Learning Differences/Diverse Needs by Tokyo English Life Child and Family Services

We welcome you to our Writing workshop: Parenting kids with special needs presented by Suzanne Kamata, writer, poet, and mother.

Suzanne will give a presentation on Reading and Writing Our Special Children. She will discuss the importance of writing about children with special needs and share examples of literature current and past about parenting children with special needs. She will also conduct brief writing exercises, which may be used in journaling, or creative writing for pleasure or publication.

Friday, November 13, 2009
Registration: 2:30pm to 2:45pm; Workshop: 2:45pm to 4:15pm; Information sharing: 4:15pm to 5:00pm
Admission: Donations accepted
RSVP to tellparentgroup@hotmail.com
Location: Minami Aoyama Conference Room next to TELL office
Address: 5-4-22 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062 Phone: 03-3498-0231

Suzanne Kamata was born and raised in Grand Haven, Michigan. After graduating from the University of South Carolina with a degree in English, she came to Japan in 1988 on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program.  During her second year in Japan, she met the man who would become her husband and has lived in Tokushima Prefecture ever since. She now lives with her husband and ten-year old twins in Aizumi and teaches part-time at Naruto Educational University.

Suzanne is also the author of a novel, Losing Kei (Leapfrog Press, 2008), editor of several anthologies, among them Love You to Pieces: Creative Writers on Raising a Child with Special Needs (Beacon Press, 2008) and Call Me Okaasan:  Adventures in Multicultural Mothering (Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing, 2009), and fiction editor of literarymama.com.

If you would like to have more information on the Exceptional Parenting Program or would like to attend the workshops, please contact Birgit Zorb-Serizawa at tellparentgroup@hotmail.com.

Hope everyone’s enjoying the start of fall (a link to JQ’s current issue is below in case you haven’t seen it yet, thanks always for your contributions and ideas). I’ve added some new story ideas since our quarterly meeting in September, so in case you haven’t signed up or would like to see what else is out there, below are the story ideas I’ve rounded up from other JETs and contributors along with my own ideas that you can pick for the winter issue to be published in January. De wa…

Deadlines are as follows:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5: Registering a story assignment with me at magazine@jetaany.org, or pitching an idea of your own for approval. All suggestions are welcome. We’ve been picking up more new writers with each issue, and I encourage all first-timers whether you consider yourself a seasoned writer or not.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3: Deadline for submitting a final draft of your story. It’s earlier than usual because I’m planning on doing some traveling and want to have a lot to work with before the holidays. Extensions will be granted on a case-by-case basis, less so for new writers.

I would also greatly appreciate added assistance for the following:

AD SALES CALLS: Although JQ has now switched to paid annual subscriptions for our hard copy mailing list, we’re still continuing to sell ad space. I’ve already blasted out our new issue and rates to everyone on my list, but I’ve since learned the hard way that they never get back to me this way, since it’s easier to delete an e-mail than to dodge a phone call.  So, I’m asking for volunteers to help me make calls to those who have previously advertised with us in the past two years (about 30 names).  If you’re really confident, I’ll give you some other accounts that I’m trying to hook. Know any businesses that you’d like to see in our pages or on the site? That works, too.

COPY EDITING/PROOFREADING: The trial run for this with our new issue was a huge success, so I’m bringing it back. This is for serious bookworms only! If you’re capable of spotting the teensiest, tiniest, itty-bittiest flubs in grammar, spelling, punctuation and design inconsistencies in print, you would be INVALUABLE to me in the layout process. Applicants will be provided with a test–I’m not kidding!

Below are the story ideas.

Thanks for reading and providing your support, and e-mail me with any other questions/comments.

**************************************

PEACE CORPS PROFILE

Peace Corps has advertised with several JETAA publications including the current issue of JQ. I’d like to do a story about why they decided to target JET alums, and what their programs can offer JETs who are interested in signing up for/have already signed up for them.  I can put you in touch with one of the officers here in NY.

DAVID NAMISATO

The last three issues of JQ have featured the “Life After the B.O.E.” cartoons of the great David Namisato (Aomori-ken CIR, 2002-04), a professional artist based in Toronto. David is open to a profile for anyone interested in talking art, Canada, or the humorous side of JET life in Japan.

A CRITICAL JAPANESE ASSESSMENT OF ‘HEROES’

I’ve never seen the hit show, but I understand that it’s featured several prominent Japanese and Japanese American actors who speak plenty of Nihongo as the scenes call for it. Any fans of the show out there who care to do a commentary of whether or not it’s authentic and/or a good example of “cool Japan”’s soft power in the American mainstream?

‘HOLIDAY SEASON IN JAPAN’ ANECTODES

Anyone have any good stories about their time at the end of December in Japan? It’s been a few years since we had a series of brief stories about this, and I’m wondering what kinds of things recent returnees have seen during Kurisumasu, Ha-nooka et al., not to mention Oshougatsu.

STUDYLINK

From Australian JET Josh Flannery:

Hi. I have actually been including Japanese universities and language schools in our e-newsletter each month. This is actually in line with part my own business (StudyLink) where we promote universities from around the world – including Japan.

For example:
http://studylink.com/display/provider/provider-info.html?pid=pid-mm-01-iujapn

Professors can be helpful however they are often not always the decision makers and most universities large enough to offer quality programs targeting foreigners have their own advertising/marketing offices. Its a case of knocking on alot of doors and talking to alot of people.

Is your idea to sell some form of advertising and promotion to Japan based universities?

About StudyLink:

- established in Australia in 1991
- now in the US, UK, India and Japan (I set up the StudyLink K.K. in Osaka in 2005) but real reach is in its network of 150+ education agent companies world wide
- StudyLink powers a suite of websites which are the most used resource for students during the decision making process
- Besides the web portals which offer a research tool to students, we have developed a online application system specifically for students, student recruitment companies and universities/colleges to use

JETLOG: LAURA POP (PROFILE)

Laura is a current JET (Mie-ken 2008-) who writes fantasy and science fiction for children and young adults, and is an occasional playwright/film maker.

Here’s one of her short stories titled “In theShadow Realm” – http://www.viatouch.com/learn/Storystation/Stories/in_shadow_realm.jsp

Here’s a documentary she made in Malawi (on YouTube):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApdQpfi4i7E

To read about her amazing adventures all over Japan, check out her her blog:  http://laurajanepopp.livejournal.com

NIHONJIN IN NY: NORIKO HINO

Hino-san is the founder of NY de Volunteer (www.nydevolunteer.org), very unique Japanese volunteer organization in NYC.  She’s been working hard to get funding for the After School Program they’ve been doing in conjunction with the NYC Parks Department.  As part of the process, she’s had her Japanese volunteers doing their best to translate docs for the grant application. I was thinking of a profile/Q&A for our Nihonjin in NY feature or a broader one on NYdeV itself.

JET ALUM IN JAPAN STEPHEN PALANIK

Stephen (Fukushima-ken, 2004-08) is currently living in Japan post-JET, and has helped JetWit.com honcho Steven Horowitz in posting jobs that are currently up for grabs in Japan. Would make a nice JETlog profile.

ALUM/SAKE EXPERT JOHN GAUNTNER

Sake expert John Gauntner has appeared at Japan Society and might be open to an interview this time out depending on his schedule.  Visit him online at www.sake-world.com.

MATT SCHLECHT, EDITOR OF NYABlog

Matt (Akita-ken, ’98-’99) is the editor of online art listings and reviews site NY Art Beat (www.NYArtBeat.com). Even though it covers the NYC art world, it has a strong connection to Tokyo. Profile.

TEAMTEACHERS.COM

An innovative telecommunications site for Team Teaching, founded by a JET. http://www.teamteachers.com

JOB PROSPECTS FOR JETS, CIRCA 2010

I’m interested in a piece that talks about the challenges new returnee JETs face after coming home and looking for work in this economy, as well as other JET alums considering new jobs or just looking for work.  This could be as simple as anecdotes (along the lines of our “How’s the Economy Treating You?” feature from fall 2008), but I’d like to turn this into an actual feature story, with at least three volunteers providing the details. And if you happened to have found a job in this economic climate, share the joy to give the rest of us some hope!

JETSET – CANADIAN JETS IN JAPAN

Melissa C. runs JETset, a site for Canadian JETs in Japan and the number one Web site for JET participants. Site profile. http://www.jetsetjapan.com/

JET ALUM KIRK AKAHOSHI / QUARTERLIFE CRISIS

Kirk Akahoshi is a life coach and NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) pracitioner who is also currently pursuing a marriage and family therapy license. He leads the “Quarterlife Crisis Workshop” and would make an interesting subject for the self-employed/entrepreneur JET alum angle.  www.QuarterlifeCrisisCoach.com

JETlog: DAN DOOHER

Dan is a prefectural advisor in Akita-ken.  Would make a good profile (to learn just what a PA does) or JETlog piece.

That’s all, folks!  Thanks, yoroshiku, and see you at the Welcome Home Reception on Saturday.

Justin Tedaldi
Editor

http://jetaany.org/magazine

Page 3……..Letter From the Editor / Letter From the Treasurer
Page 4……..Nippon News Blotter / CJ’s Wedding
Page 5……..Comings & Goings / JETAA National Conference in Chicago
Page 6……..JETAANY Annual Softball Tournament
Page 7……..Working the Written Word by Alexei Esikoff
Page 8……..Nihonjin in New York – Featuring JETRO’s Maya Eiki-Law by Joe Marucheck
Page 8……..Actor Jun Kim Talks heavenly BENTO by Adren Hart
Page 9……..Americans on Fuji: Talking with Author Sara Backer by Veronika Ruff
Page 10……International Visitor Leadership Program Interpreting by Stacy Smith

Page 11……JQ&A with New York Anime Festival’s Peter Tatara by Justin Tedaldi

Page 13……Anvil with Sacha Gervasi:  The JQ Interview: by Justin Tedaldi

Page 14……What We Did This Summer – Photos

Page 15……Theatre Review: A Recipe for heavenly BENTO by Adren Hart

Page 16……Film Review: Hayao Miyazaki’s Ponyo by Lyle Sylvander

Page 17……Book Corner: The China Lover by David Kowalsky

Page 18……Ace Frehley: Back in the New York Groove by Justin Tedaldi

Page 20……New York Anime Festival Photos

Page 21……Film Review: The Cove by Elizabeth Wanic

Page 21……Book Corner: Japanese Kitchen Knives / Food Carving by Yukari Sakamoto

Page 23……Top 12 List / Life After the B.O.E. / Sponsors Index

JETAA Chicago Newsletter Editor Elizabeth Friedman (Shimane-ken, 2003-04)

http://www.chicago.jetalumni.net/newsletter/2009_Fall_Newsletter.pdf

• Letter from the President
• JETAA National Conference (hosted by Chicago)
• Photos from the JETAA National Conference
• Green Teaist Tea Tasting
• Japan America Society of Chicago Events
• Volunteer Opportunity

Author Suzanne Kamata (Tokushima-ken, 1988-90) who also serves as the Publicity Assistant for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, shared the following:

The Third Annual Japan Writers Conference

www.japanwritersconference.org

Via Mark Frey (Kumamoto-ken, 2002-06), Editor of Pacific Bridges, the JETAA Northern California quarterly newsletter.

The 2009 Summer Issue of the official JETAA NC newsletter, Pacific Bridge, is now available here!  Get caught up on all of your local alumni happenings! Read it online here: http://www.jetaanc.org/newsletter.html or in the “Files” area of our Yahoo Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jetaanc/files/

This issue’s theme is “Tradition.”  Read about how alumni like you are keeping up various traditions near you, as well as other goings-on in the JET alumni world, including:

- Upcoming events like the Shobu Cup Dodgeball Match!
- Stories about local super-star alumni
- Taboos broached in SF Japanese discussion group
- New website for JET writers, interpreters, translators and job-seekers: JetWit.com
- JETAANC Scholarship Winner, Lukas Bonick, Three Years Later
- Natsu Matsuri Picnic Report
- JETAA National Conference report
- Oyaji’s advice column
- Top 10 List
- …and much more!

Please send any comments to [newsletter(at)jetaanc(dot) org]. Share your talents and build your portfolio by volunteering for the next issue (we seriously need more help)! Thanks to everyone who helped to produce yet another great issue.

Mark Frey (Kumamoto-ken, 2002-06)
Editor, Pacific Bridge

JetWit knows that a lot of JET alums are interested in working in the fields of international education programs and student services, so we asked future international ed expert Pam Kavalam (Shiga-ken, 2007-09) to talk to some JET alums in the field and share her conversation for the benefit of the JET alumni community:

Spotlight on University Administration

by Pam Kavalam (Shiga-ken, 2007-09)

Are you looking for a career that can utilize some of the skills you learned over in Japan- cross-cultural exchange, working with students, and (for the truly lucky) the offer to travel again? Think about working at a university- either in international exchange or student affairs. I sat down with Shannan Spisak (Kawasaki-shi, 96-98) to talk about her experience from the JET Program to higher education administration.

Tell me about your journey into the field of international education.

Shannan: After I came back from JET, I moved to New York City with a friend and worked at a private Japanese company for 2 years. I decided to switch careers to move into the international arena; the United Nations in particular interested me. I went on a number of informational interviews with fellow former JETs working in the field and they all recommended graduate school. I decided to study Peace Education and International Exchange at Teachers College, Columbia University. In order to finance my education, I took a job working as Assistant to the President of Barnard College while attending classes part-time. During the process of completing my M.A., I realized I had grown more interested in the education component of my degree than its relation to UN work. Consequently, my focus shifted towards seeking a career in international exchange in higher education.

What do you do now?

Shannan: I work at the Institute of International Education (IIE) in the Global Scholarships Division. The IIE is a 90 year-old non-profit organization that runs over 200 programs around the world, including the Fulbright. I manage three international scholarship programs through the GE Foundation and the Chubb Insurance Foundation. I organize the review and selection of applications, notify finalists, award grants, and manage special components of the scholarships such as Leadership Development Seminars and Career Workshops. I also coordinate the global communication and program initiatives between our offices in each of the participating countries. Our programs serve undergraduate and Masters students in 14 countries, chiefly studying science and business. Right now, I’m looking into new ways of managing our student alumni network – which aligns with what I’ve been working on for JETAANY as Alumni Database Manager.

In what other ways have you been involved with the JET Alumni Association?

Shannan: I was Chapter President of JETAANY for 3 years, then served as one of two Country Representatives for 2 years (because of our increase in local chapters in 2008, the U.S. now has 3 representatives). I had an amazing team that worked well together during my presidency – we focused on increasing the professionalism of JETAANY and put the chapter on the (long) path to becoming an officially recognized 501c(3) organization.  I am now a member of our organization’s Board of Directors.

In my role as Country Representative, my focus targeted increasing communication, coordination, and growth of chapters in the U.S.  I assisted in planning and executing two National Conferences, including one that involved not only our 19 official chapters, but also 20+ representatives from  various subchapters.  Also, I attended two International Meetings, where Country Representatives from all 15 countries who participate in the JET Programme gathered to discuss global initiatives for the association.

In fact, I prominently featured the work I did for JETAANY on my résumé. Many of the skills required for jobs in higher education were part of my duties as an alumni representative, and I’m convinced they were integral in getting me my current position at IIE.

And finally, what is your advice for JETs looking to break into higher education?

Shannan: The best thing you can do is get out there and network. Talk with JET alumni.  We all have a shared experience but come from such diverse backgrounds. Find alumni in your industry. Be proactive and make an effort. The more networks you create, the better- you never know who might have a great job that you’d be the perfect candidate for.

Thank you so much to Shannan for imparting helpful wisdom and perspectives and offering her experience for those of us interested in the field.

If you’re interested in, or already involved in, higher education administration, stay connected and sign up for the JETAA Student Services Google Group. Also, if you currently work in the field and wouldn’t mind being interviewed for the JET alumni newsletter, please email me at pkavalam [at] gmail [at] com.

*****************

A nice update from JET alum Bruce Rutledge, the owner of Seattle-based publisher Chin Music Press via the JETAA Pacific Northwest yahoogroup:

Hi everyone, I wanted to let you all know about a new magazine about Japanese culture that was launched this summer.  It’s called Ibuki.

You can find it on the Web here: http://ibukimagazine.com/

The publisher has hired me to edit the magazine and has said she would love to hear ideas for stories from former JETs in the Pacific Northwest. The magazine is beginning as a quarterly centered on Seattle, but, the economy willing, it will expand both its focus and its readership in 2010. If you’re coming to Aki Matsuri this weekend, you’ll find publisher Misa Cartier there at the Ibuki table (and you’ll find me at the Chin Music Press table).

Please stop either one of us and say hi if you’re interested in contributing.

Cheers,

Bruce

For more information about Bruce Rutledge and Chin Music Press just go to  http://chinmusicpress.com

How do JETs and JET alums feel about Japanese healthcare and the points in this article?  Share your thoughts by posting a comment.

See this recent post on JetWit (“JET alumni and healthcare“) for additional discussion of JET alumni and their experiences and concerns with healthcare.

Update: Turns out PBS’ Frontline did a documentary called “Sick Around the World“ which examined the healthcare systems in five countries, including Japan, which you can watch on their website here.

Via the JETAA British Columbia Yahoogroup:

Hello everyone,

Hope you’re all having an awesome summer!  This is a call for submissions for the next JETAABC Fall 2009 Newsletter.  We always welcome new contributors to submit an article. Any and all ideas (JET or Japan-related) would be great!

If you’re wondering what to write about, here are a few ideas to help you get started:

*life post-JET – personal anecdotes/experienc es
*JET Life / Life in Japan – personal anecdotes/experienc es
*upcoming events or a review of events that have taken place recently (ex. summer events, Powell Street Festival, etc).
*restaurant reviews of Japanese restaurants in Metro Vancouver and Victoria
*former JET personal profiles; profiling local and prominent former JETs
*profiles on a specific prefecture/area in Japan
*Japanese TV and movie reviews
*photos, art, poetry

***For current JETs who have subscribed to this list, we would love to hear from you, too! Tell us about your fantastic life in Japan as it’s happening right now (so those of us back in Canada can live vicariously through you ;p)

The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 4, 2009!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at at newsletter[at] jetaabc.ca.

I hope to hear from you soon!  Thank you,

Dinah
JETAABC Newsletter Editor