J-Novel Club survey request
-
Hello, we're conducting some research with regards to web novels in the English-speaking world. If you enjoy reading web novels in any capacity, we'd be grateful if you could take 5~10 minutes to fill out a quick survey here: https://forms.gle/wCkZFMZnVQer2cwV9
Additionally, if you are a writer and we'd be grateful if you take some time to fill out this survey: https://forms.gle/52UwZHM8mp3JZ4mRA
-
Pinned by
Rahul Balaggan
-
When the survey is asking about web novels, does that include reading J-Novel prepubs? Or only on websites such as Wattpad, Archive Of Our Own, etc. ?
-
@strangeattractor
J-Novel pre-pubs aren't web novels; they're LNs in the process of translation.They're looking at the English language equivalents of Narou to the extent that such exist.
It's possible they're looking at setting up an English language equivalent; Kadokawa being involved raises the likelihood of that. -
Yes, what wa said above
-
By web novels, is this for original English-language fiction or does it also include unauthorized-but-legal translations of Japanese web novels?
The questions seem to make more sense for original English novels.
-
@HarmlessDave said in J-Novel Club survey request:
The questions seem to make more sense for original English novels.
That’s the feeling I got when filling in the survey too.
For me, I am looking for English translations of JP (web) novels. Currently only JNC adequately fills that role, all the other web novels sites catering to English translations of JP source materials are amateurish and/or (horrors) Machine Translations.
The weekly JNC pre-pubs is a good enough compromise between waiting months to read the actual LN and getting a good quality translation, hence I am happy to maintain my subscription.
As for English-sourced web novels, I’m mostly meh with it. It has to do with the world-view and cultural aspect. I grew up reading English authors. They were enjoyable, but characters would always think and act culturally Western (Asian or African writers of English works aside). I enjoy reading the perspectives of Japanese characters with their specific cultures and world-views, but unfortunately, not knowing how to read in Japanese, translated works are the next best thing.
-
@anony-mouse99 said in J-Novel Club survey request:
As for English-sourced web novels, I’m mostly meh with it. It has to do with the world-view and cultural aspect. I grew up reading English authors.
Same for me. If I want to read English-sourced fantasy or SF, I'll read traditional novels from people like Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, L.E. Modesitt Jr., David Drake (RIP), etc. from old-school publishers like Baen and Tor.
Translated Japanese LNs give me a different set of clichés and culture, while English LNs and LitRPGs feel like an imitation to my snobby self. That's just my bias, I'm happy for those that enjoy them.
