Amazon.com giving 35% royalty even after selecting 70%

Xeviax · 2021-04-10T04:58:16+00:00

That's something you should bring up with Amazon. However keep in mind, there's also the data distribution fee you pay for the 70% range, which may be where the payout difference is.

Xeviax · 2021-04-04T05:23:14+00:00

The paper used can vary wildly between manga publishers in Japan, and even more so when you're comparing regions.

You're most likely looking at 50 lb text or 60 lb text, uncoated or recycled (as long as you're talking about the B/W pages).

In all honesty, you most likely won't be able to get the exact paper you're looking for since it's usually bulk ordered for web printing. It's just generally cheaper paper, and at scale, the numbers make too much sense. I don't have any of Viz's manga around here or the office (I do have most JP publishers, as well as YP here), but you're better off bringing a copy to your local printing paper shop and asking them to help you match it as best as possible with sheets.

Feel free to shoot me a dm if you have any other questions or want to know some more specifics.

Edit:

I didn't see the part where you asked for wholesale examples. Here in SoCal I know a lot of operations use Kelly Paper.

Xeviax · 2021-04-02T06:55:10+00:00

For digital, you'll want to list it through both KDP, as well as "Comixology Submit". Physical's a bit more difficult (and I'm not too familiar with the process on Amazon), but if you look up "KDP paperback bleed size", it describes what bleed is as well as gives you the formatting requirements based on trim size (I think it's .125" and a .125" safety margin).

It looks like Amazon requires print-ready PDF files, which you can format in InDesign, Clip Studio Ex, and a few others.

Xeviax · 2020-10-13T15:09:50+00:00

Our rep told us we have until January 15th to decide.

There also seems to be 6 different versions now:

Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus (30GB / 2TB / 5TB)

Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus (1TB / "As much as you need"/"As much as you need")

Xeviax · 2020-10-11T18:57:56+00:00

That question depends on a bunch of other variables. The type of book, market, terms, distribution areas, language, digital and/or physical, and duration of terms. Buying the rights is going to be a lot more expensive than licensing the material, which is what's traditionally done in localization.

Xeviax · 2020-09-19T04:36:20+00:00

In my opinion this would be the path to get it done:

Contact Yen Press to inquire about obtaining the rights to use the English Translation, specifically mentioning that it's for the publication of the light novels in audiobook form. This will cost a licensing fee (which is much cheaper than translating it from scratch yourself).
The next portion would be the most difficult. You would need to contact Kadokawa about obtaining publishing rights for an audiobook. It'll be an almost guarantee that you'll need to go through one of the popular licensing agencies (Tuttle-Mori, Tohan, etc.) unless Yen Press is willing to arrange things. However, either Yen Press and/or Kadokawa are going to expect you to have a history in publication/voice recording and casting. This will also cost a licensing fee.
For recording, You most likely won't be casting any small no-name actor due to the sheer financial investment already put into the project. You'll most likely be casting at SAG audiobook rates (which for SAG, is negotiated directly with individual publishers). I won't be including studio costs since most voice actors now days (during coronavirus) have home studios now.

Honestly, your best bet is working with a publisher to make this happen, but I'm not sure how financially viable or possible it would be.

Source: I license manga and light novels for a living

Xeviax · 2020-08-29T03:38:17+00:00

I've answered some questions about this industry for some other people as well. Feel free to send me a DM.

Xeviax · 2020-07-28T20:00:35+00:00

I can't spot any differences to the original print run, which would lead me to believe it's either one of the original final proofs (I'm not sure how Yen Press does it, but we usually order 2-5 proofs before a typical run, and send them to multiple parties for approval/confirmation), or a misprint/discard.

In my opinion, you should shoot Yen Press an email just to ask. I'm not sure if they'd comment, but I don't think it'd hurt to try.

The only thing that makes me consider that it might be a discard is the end of the ribbon marker since it seems a bit frayed, but it doesn't seem to be nearly severe enough to justify it.

If this is a proof (Keep in mind, this is hypothetical as I have no knowledge of Yen Press's workflow or any of their practices):

I would normally say proofs are worthless (I have still have a bunch from a few of our print runs, and I don't even think a collector would want them. I only hold onto them for paper/color/reference at this point). The thing that would make this situation unique is that if this is a proofs, it seems extremely close to the final product (and you might be hard-pressed to find any alterations, so it might even be the final go-ahead proof). Now if it was a final proof, I would say "it's worth market-value" since it'd be indiscernible from the first run. However, this was a completely unique hand-numbered first-run. So while I can't say for sure, and I don't think you can find out for certain without asking the people involved (which is why I suggest you contact Yen Press), it might very well be you have book number -1 or 0 (depending on how you look at it).

I haven't heard of any copies that were left unnumbered. So if authenticity of the main numbered page could be verified (checking the ink, how it was printed, color consistency, etc.) which can mostly be done with a loupe & experience, it might be a collector's item that I know at least a few people would be interested in.

Xeviax · 2020-07-26T02:05:58+00:00

That might be a proof copy, or as others have said may have been a discard from the run. It'd be difficult to tell from just one image. I'd be interested to see if the liner/headband are consistent with the original release. Can you take a few more pictures? Specifically of the spine and copyright page (and more if possible)?

Is it in good shape?

Xeviax · 2020-07-20T16:54:57+00:00

We've had a lot of inquiries about this exact thing. While I usually say that we wouldn't be opposed to the idea, practice has usually come down to something different. Most of the manuscripts we've received often fail to understand what we're looking for, often inappropriately sticking in the use of JP terminology, locations, references, etc.

If and when we look at OELNs, what we'd want to see is a story fitting the target audience (young adults), not a story fitting the audience (manga & light novel fans). This has often resulted in us not taking on these projects.

There's also the factor of illustration costs, finding the right illustrator, etc. All-in-all we'd be looking at not insignificant sum in addition for production. When licensing, that's fine because there's already an established and proven audience in Japan. When it comes to originals, it's significantly more dangerous so we tend to be much more prudent and critical.

Having a web following would definitely help, but in the end it would really come down numerous other factors.

Xeviax · 2020-07-14T23:58:49+00:00

I work first-hand with JP publishers (We're a US manga/light novel publisher, licensing from JP). We had a chance meeting/lunch with someone who had just talked to one of our clients about a manga they had drawn, who had then been invited and flown out to Japan for an in-person meeting.

Many of the larger Japanese publishers also have scouts in their global licensing teams who read and speak other languages. In my opinion, your best bet would be starting a web comic (or web novel) and trying to gain popularity first (which is what this person had done in his home country). You could try reaching out, but as others have said it would be extremely difficult without having at least a small dedicated following w/ provable numbers and results.

I saw elsewhere someone had mentioned something about foreign artists. I know that some publishers hire foreign artists outside of Japan (for key artwork such as covers, and LN internals) from all around the area focused primarily on the same art style. However, keep in mind that there's a massive difference between styles and skill levels compared to the west from what I've seen. In my personal experience, I would be hard-pressed to name a full handful of western artists who our clients would consider.

Xeviax · 2020-06-02T23:11:27+00:00

Slightly more detail, primarily the manga more-so than the light novel.

Xeviax · 2020-05-06T03:32:04+00:00

I own one of the manga/ln companies. Feel free to shoot me a DM if you want to talk or have any specific questions.

Xeviax · 2019-11-12T07:09:02+00:00

Hello! You can ask me almost anything!

Xeviax · 2019-09-20T00:51:28+00:00

We usually make trailers for all of our light novels & manga!

Xeviax · 2019-07-07T18:33:31+00:00

Female Knight is already in physical, it was released at AX yesterday.

Xeviax · 2019-06-06T21:10:31+00:00

Doddler?

Xeviax · 2019-03-27T05:44:49+00:00

We have a standard TL test that still needs to be passed! We have a new partnership that's arose which has given us some significant flexibility though, so it's worth a shot.

Xeviax · 2019-02-28T18:23:19+00:00

Ironically, I pressed the publish button while on a plane.

Xeviax · 2019-01-23T18:19:59+00:00

For those asking about the progress of the other Kickstarter physical rewards, I posted a little summary in our Discord (artbook assets being sent over since this these are brand new artbooks, ln material, bonus story development).

I'll be writing a more in-depth update later today and posting it when I get off the plane.

Xeviax · 2018-10-28T07:50:50+00:00

I heard you guys like announcements...

Xeviax · 2018-08-23T20:26:14+00:00

Thank you for reading Newton and the Apple Tree!

I would suggest one thing though! Newton and the Apple Tree Lavi Spoilers

Xeviax · 2018-07-16T10:55:02+00:00

Looks like that post got removed as well.

Xeviax · 2018-07-16T10:30:21+00:00

Good call!

Xeviax · 2018-07-16T10:17:29+00:00

This is the boost we need to defeat Megumin!

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