Autographs idea
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Hi
Thank you for working to expand the English Light Novel market !So one of the things I love about the Japanese market is that when there’s printed books released, they often hold a lottery for preorders buyer to enter for a chance to get a autograph book.
I think this is unique and desirable thing that can help the English LN market. It makes me feel that the writers/artists care about English fans and that English fans really do support them.
Would you guys consider have this type of event for the English market?
For example, say you have preorders for a new printed book, one is Just for the printed volume at regular price and another includes having a autograph version.
You can make it higher cost to factor in the international shipping Cost. Or even just have like a autograph print card ( to cut down shipping cost from shipping books internationally back and forth)I would def pay more for a autograph copy as many People who buy printed books are collectors who appreciate more premium things like this.
There’s low chance for many English fans to meet the writers/artists so this is a great way to show appreciate.
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I have no idea how feasible it is for JNC (because I don't know where/how they actually print the physicals) but I know that other publishers who have limited editions etc have a separate autograph page that is inserted prior to binding. Then the only thing that needs to be sent to the author and returned are the inserts (and not entire books) I've also seen limited editions with autographed/adhesive bookplates done for the same reason.
I'd be in favor of adhesive bookplates being offered (as a stand alone? maybe with a confirmed purchase of the physical?) in exchange of a premium credit and/or gift with purchase/contest prize/thank you gift with annual membership renewal...
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Shipping from Korea where the printers are, to Japan, and then finally to the US for distribution would be way too expensive. In Japan everything is within train distance, very different from how international shipping works.
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@LegitPancake said in Autographs idea:
In Japan everything is within train distance,
Japan's train network is somewhat more dense than other countries, but still train is far less flexible for shipping comparing to trucking on the road and it's share is not that large. Looking at the latest government statistics, 63% of shipping in Japan is done by road and 25% train, followed by air and water 4% each.
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@hiroto I think you missed the point, which is that it's one thing for a book to be printed, signed, and distributed entirely within Japan, but having the book printed in South Korea, then taken to Japan for it to be signed, and then shipped to the US (or wherever else in the world) is a lot more extra effort and cost.
MAL
Beneath the Tangles (the blog I write for) -
@stardf29 said in Autographs idea:
@hiroto I think you missed the point, which is that it's one thing for a book to be printed, signed, and distributed entirely within Japan, but having the book printed in South Korea, then taken to Japan for it to be signed, and then shipped to the US (or wherever else in the world) is a lot more extra effort and cost.
Indeed. That's why it makes more sense to just have the author(s) sign bookplates in Japan and mail those to the USA --where someone would stick them in the book before shipping (or mail to customer to insert ourselves) easy-peasy
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Hence I also suggest a autographed print /postcard/plate Instead of the books, as I know the shipping is a big issue .
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Yes, like a plate.
I wouldn’t want it to be a prize but something that fans can purchase (ie: say a $20 Extra add-on)
It can even be something like after a customer buy a book, they can send a postcard for a autograph plate within a certain time frame.
I’m the kind of book collector who buys JP copies to get autographs, so I’m sure there more of these fans who would do more to get a premium item.
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If you read my original post, I’m not just saying books needs to be signed but they can do plates/postcard to save on shipping cost
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I would love signed bookplates or postcards!
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Just wanted to throw out that JNC had already something like this. The book from Mari Okada "from truant to anime screenwriter" had a signed Shikichi.
But yeah it is pretty seldom to get something like this in the western hemisphere if you are not attending a con with said artist. Only book I have the signature in is "Priest" from Hyung Min-woo.
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I'd pay some tall green when/if JNC publishes the Bookworm fanbook (autographed? with traditional Japanese 'stab' binding? )
I read banned books
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@Jon-Mitchell You, me, and a whole host of us I'd imagine.
It's not something that would work for many titles much less most titles but I could see it for a small handful, where there would be enough of a demand and where the author is aware enough of who and what J-Novel is to entertain the idea. In that regard at least AoB would probably be the idea target.
