JQ seeks writers for Winter issue – Story ideas below
Uncategorized, Writers 
Comments Off on JQ seeks writers for Winter issue – Story ideas below
Special message from JQ Editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02):
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.
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
Comments are closed.