Aug 11

Posted by Tom Baker The lineup of presenters for the 18th annual Japan Writers Conference has just been announced. Over the first weekend in November, there will be 29 sessions on writing poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, plus writing career and marketing advice. At least four sessions will be led by former JETs. Poet Warren Decker will […]


Mar 6

Posted by Tom Baker The Japan Writers Conference is now looking for writers to give presentations at its 2024 event, to be held on the weekend of Nov. 2-3 in Futaba, Fukushima Prefecture. The official announcement appears below, and you can find more details at the JWC website. All published writers, translators, editors, agents and publishers […]


Dec 18

Posted by Tom Baker The Japan Writers Conference, a free annual event that always attracts many current and former JETs in Japan’s English-language writing community, is held in a different part of the country every year. The 2024 host city has just been announced: Futaba, Fukushima Prefecture. The 2024 JWC will be held on the […]


Sep 14

Posted by Tom Baker In non-pandemic years, the Japan Writers Conference is held on an autumn weekend at a university somewhere in Japan. This year it is being held online (Oct. 15-17), which means you can participate no matter where in the world you are. At least nine JETs (including classic-edition MEFs) will be among […]


Mar 7

Posted by Tom Baker (Chiba 1989-91) The 15th annual Japan Writers Conference will be held in October this year. The organizers are now looking for writers, editors and publishers to give presentations on the art, craft and business of writing. If you are a writer, now is a good time to think about taking part. […]


May 17

2019 Japan Writers Conference wants you!

  Posted by Tom Baker The 13th annual Japan Writer’s Conference will be held on the weekend of Oct. 12-13 at Meiji Gakuin University in Tokyo. The organizers are now seeking writers to give presentations. If you would like to participate, contact details appear at the bottom of this post. Each year, the Japan Writers […]


May 13

JQ Magazine: Book Review — ‘A Girls’ Guide to the Islands’

By Rashaad Jorden (Yamagata–ken, 2008-10) for JQ magazine. A former head of the JETAA Philadelphia Sub–Chapter, Rashaad is a graduate of Leeds Beckett University with a master’s degree in responsible tourism management. For more on his life abroad and enthusiasm for taiko drumming, visit his blog at www.gettingpounded.wordpress.com. Exploring local wonders with loved ones can conjure up magical memories—and an […]


Apr 14

Posted by Tom Baker The 12th annual Japan Writer’s Conference will be held this year in Hokkaido, a new location for the event. The organizers are now seeking writers to give presentations on the weekend of Oct. 13-14 at Otaru University of Commerce in Otaru, Hokkaido. If you are a writer and would like to […]


Aug 27

  Posted by Tom Baker (Chiba, 1989-91). The Japan Writers Conference is a free annual event for English-language writers, held in a different part of Japan each year. In 2017, it will take place in Tokyo at the Ekoda Campus of Nihon University College of Art on Oct. 8-9, the last two days of a […]


Aug 27

2016 Japan Writers Conference in Tokushima

Posted by Tom Baker (Chiba, 1989-91). The Japan Writers Conference is a free annual event for English-language writers, held in a different part of Japan each year. In 2016, it will take place on the weekend of Oct. 29-30 at Tokushima University in Shikoku. A good number of current and former JETs always take part, […]


Feb 10

Presenters wanted for 2016 Japan Writers Conference

  Posted by Tom Baker (Chiba, 1989-91), a writer and editor in Tokyo and a regular Japan Writers Conference participant. The Japan Writers Conference is a free annual event for English-langauge writers in a variety of fields. It is held each autumn in a different part of Japan. The event attracts a fair number of JETs and JET alumni, […]


Sep 14

JQ Magazine: Book Review – ‘Gadget Girl: The Art of Being Invisible’

By Rashaad Jorden (Yamagata-ken, 2008-2010) for JQ magazine. Rashaad worked at four elementary schools and three junior high schools on JET, and taught a weekly conversion class in Haguro (his village) to adults. He completed the Tokyo Marathon in 2010, and was also a member of a taiko group in Haguro. Sometimes, we’re just trying to find out where […]


Aug 24

Japan Writers Conference

Tom Baker (Chiba, 1989-91) recently posted a video about the Japan Writers Conference on his Tokyo Tom Baker blog. One of the writers featured in it is novelist and anthology editor Suzanne Kamata (Tokushima, 1988-90). Also shown is novelist Holly Thompson, who first came to Japan in connection with the pre-JET MEF program. The Japan […]


Nov 14

Gemma Vidal (Okayama-ken, 2010-12) is a recently returned JET seeking work in licensing/merchandising (if it’s within the publishing industry, even better!). You can usually find her in her little web spaces Gem in the Rough and Peachy Keen (her JET adventures) or training with San Jose Taiko.  If you know of any authors/aspiring writers you’d like to see […]


Jun 7

SCBWI Tokyo Illustration Day with John Shelley

SCBWI-Tokyo Publicity Assistant Suzanne Kamata (Tokushima 1988-90) shares the following: Sunday August 19, 2012 SCBWI Tokyo Illustration Day with John Shelley: Breathing Life Into Your Pictures Power up your pictures! Give your illustrations vitality and zest! This SCBWI Tokyo Illustration Day featuring illustrator John Shelley will focus on techniques that children’s illustrators use to create […]


Page Rank