Boom time for manga books
By PAUL D. COLFORD
DAILY NEWS BUSINESS WRITER

A few New York members of Meetup.com are voting on where in the city they'll gather to discuss their reading passion - manga.

Maybe "Luna P," who identifies herself as a New York hostess, will be there, or at one of many other meetings around for the country set for May 19, International Manga Meetup Day.

"I live, breathe, love, manga," she writes on the manga-crazed Web site AnimeonDVD.com. "I'd marry it, but there's so many choices."

So many choices indeed.

More in link.

I've been so busy with work (don't get me wrong -- I'm really not complaining), the house-buying, the puppy, and the rest of it, that I that I have neglected artbomb horribly.

By way of a reminder to myself, these are a few of the books I intend to cover when next I have it in me to compose something coherent:

Peculia by Richard Sala
Flowers and Bees Vol. 2
Mother, Come Home (though I'm betting Ellis will beat me to it)
the remaining Sandman volumes

...I know there are others, but these are the ones that leap to mind. I'll add to the list when I quit being retarded.

I also want to talk about The Carbon Based Mistake at some point.

How is it that I didn't know about Parker's blog?

U.S. Deletes, Alters Gender Issue Web Data -Report
By Deborah Zabarenko

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration has stripped information on a range of women's issues from government Web sites, apparently in pursuit of a political agenda, researchers reported on Wednesday.

"Vital information is being deleted, buried, distorted and has otherwise gone missing from government Web sites and publications," Linda Basch, president of the National Council for Research on Women, said in a telephone interview.

"Taken cumulatively, this has an enormously negative effect on women and girls."

A council report said the missing information fell into four categories: women's health; their economic status; objective scientific data; and information aimed at protecting women and girls and helping them advance.

More in link.

Volume One Amazon review excerpts:

Very hott!, April 24, 2004
Reviewer: salem_ursula from Salem, Massachusetts

I was pleasantly surprised by how good this manga is. ...
It is very refreshing to see this kind of story for women make it to America. ...

Sexy, Smokin' Manga!, April 21, 2004
Reviewer: fleamurt from glendale, CA USA

This is an awesome manga! very different from the usual Shoujo manga out there!

I was expecting the typical shoujo manga the typical boy-girl fall in love story, I am used to reading the typical PG13 ones...but whoa! This one is a sexy, sexy read! This manga is more suitable for older teens/ young adults.

...The lyrics presented in the manga are poetic, sexy, sensual...I can't wait for the 2nd volume to come out! & read this sexy love story!!! How this story will develop! I highly recommend this book to all adult, shoujo fans!

More reviews here.

Volume 2 preorder here.

We've changed our minds AGAIN. I'm going to try keeping him with me at the new house today. He's gotten a 24 hour reprieve, anyway.

I'm also going to quit updating everyone every time we flip flop. It's harrowing.

What do you know about kennel/crate training?

Captain Applejack update.

Let me explain.

We named our cats before we actually had cats.

I'd decided at a young age that one day I would have a Russian Blue whom I would name Pablo. (I don't remember why. It had something to do with Picasso.) So when we went cat-shopping we knew we were looking for a gray cat who looked like he might be "Pablo Zimbabwe Didgeridoo." We had a conversation the night before and determined that his compatriot would be "Ham." Just "Ham." The cats presented themselves, the names fit and with the exception of a few toe-biting incidents here and there, it's been bliss.

Now, I am not what you'd call "a dog person." Dogs try to eat my head. I don't know what it is, but dogs who have never been gruff before go after me like I was made of meatloaf and bully sticks. I've had plastic surgery as the result of a dog attack. I like cats. And small dogs...the kind too small and lethargic to eat my head.

Fraction? Very much a dog person. Big dogs. Loves them. He makes out with random dogs on the street. Whenever there's a loose dog in the neighborhood, Fraction's out there wrangling the dog in, calling the owner, even delivering the dog. I knew at some point, we were going to end up with a dog. At some point in the distant future. Because we enjoy that sort of thing, we named our imaginary dogs of the future "Captain Applejack" (the mutt) and "Pamplemousse" (the French bulldog).

So Friday night, we were at the new house checking on the refinished floors and we spotted a dog running in the street out on the side of the house. Fraction went to check on him and this poor little wrinkled creature with virtually no hair on his face hid under a car. No tags, no collar, covered in mange. We tried to find a shelter for him but they were closed. Animal control would have to put him to sleep. So. He spent the night in our basement. We referred to him as "Geezer," because he looked like Walter Matthau and Dr. Eldon Tyrell if Walter Matthau and Dr. Eldon Tyrell were puppies.

Early Saturday morning we took him to the vet, where they tested his mange and determined it to be the non-communicable variety (halleluja) and gave him his shots and filled us in on all sorts of little details about him - how big he'll likely get (medium-large), what kind of dog his likely is (lab mix), how old he is (about 12 weeks), etc. They bathed him and started him on antibiotics, and something for worms, and something for the mange, and got him relatively presentable and we picked him up last night.

We got a kennel from a friend of the girl across the street (thank you, Amy & Kelly) and we hung out with him for a few hours while we worked on the backyard at the new house. He really is a peach.

Fraction thought maybe we should maybe change his name from Geezer to Captain Applejack. Because a) that had been the plan, and we like sticking to plans; b) the hair on his face is going to come back and he won't look so much like Matthau; and c) the dog's sick and it's just mean to make fun of sick animals.

So far, he appears entirely uninterested in eating my head. Here's the thing: we don't know how he's going to do with Pablo and Ham. We won't know until we're in the house -- which will likely be May 8th. If he does alright, we have a dog. If he doesn't, someone at the Vet's office knows someone who wants a black lab mix anyway. In the meantime, he lives with us. He's our ward. Like Dick Grayson.

I am a huge nerd.

'In the past, most foreigners' image of Japan was of an economic animal or people with teeth sticking out, wearing suits all the time,' said Masakazu Kubo, the man behind the worldwide Pokemon phenomenon. 'But foreigners' perception of Japan has changed. Because Japanese anime and games are going to overseas markets, foreign kids think Japan is a cool country.'

Being cool has not only been good for the national self-esteem, it's been good business. Anime alone is a US$19 billion industry. The total size of the content industry, as it's called here, is about US$106 billion, accounting for 2 per cent of Japan's GDP. It's twice the size of Japan's steel industry and half the size of its car industry.

More here:
When orientalism plus digitalism equals 'cool'
Japan's 'soft power' is growing as the world (read: the US) deems anime and manga hip...by Julie Chao

XTRA HEAT FOALS GONE WEST COLT

Champion and millionaire Xtra Heat foaled a Gone West chestnut colt shortly before midnight April 16 at ClassicStar near Versailles, Ky. It was the first foal for the 6-year-old daughter of Dixieland Heat out of the Hatchet Man mare Begin.

Congratulations, Mama.

Happy Belated Birfday, honey.

I really and truly would be lost without you. Also, my editors would hate me.

Package won't go in the mail until next week, I suspect. In the meantime, have that husband of yours give you a big squeeze from me.

Right on cue:

//Dude, your FAQ totally reminded me:

1. How did you get into writing submissions for adult mags?
2. Which ones did you write for?
3. How's the pay on that?

...if they'll have me, I thought it'd be a nice bit of income padding.

...very, very thin padding.//

1. How did you get into writing submissions for adult mags?

First, let me say that with the exception of one job for one client that I continue to write, I don't do it anymore. You do burn out on it after a while. It served me well for long time though. I learned a great many lessons the most important of which was probably how to meet a deadline.

Okay, how did I get started? Like literally, I think, EVERY job I've ever had, it I stumbled into it ass-backwards. In this case, there are three answers.

(A) I wrote one piece as a result of an interaction on a posting board a long time ago. This is the story I usually tell when people ask me this question. I have to get back to SLAYERS right now, though, so ask me at SDCC or something and I'll tell you. And then you can be disappointed because it's not all that great a story.

(B) I was talking to a very nice man at a comic release party. I can't remember what book it was. It might have been my friend Bill Morton's book CYNICAL GIRL. Anyway, I was talking to a reallly nice man about comics and about half way through the conversation I asked him what he did for a living. He told me rather sheepishly that he was the art director for a certain dirty magazine. I told him I wanted to write for him. He said that wasn't the response he usually got. He introduced me to the then-editor. ...This is actually a good story for SDCC, too.

(C) I had another friend who wrote for smut mags. He took me to a -- I kid you not -- "industry party." I went and actually had one of the best literary conversations I've ever had in my life with the editor of (I think) "Girls Over 40". I handed out business cards and shook hands and made follow-up calls. Just like any other business.

It's worth mentioning that another friend of mine called up a magazine he wanted to write for, got their submission policy, wrote them a story, sent it in and they bought it. First time out of the gate. (I also sold my first story, so you know, your chances are pretty good, I guess. The hardest part about cold submissions is finding magazines that still run fiction labeled as such.)

2. Which ones did you write for?

Tight, Swank, Swank Confidential, Petite, Leg Action, Just 18. I think that's all...?

3. How's the pay on that?

Please don't hate me for this but I hate, hate, hate to answer questions about money. For one thing, rates vary wildly from client to client. More importantly, though, does it matter? Seriously, does it?

If you are trying to break into writing professionally, the answer is No, It Does Not Matter. Presumably, you're making enough money to pay your bills elsewhere. If I'm putting words in your mouth, e-mail me and I'll apologize. Here's the thing, though: I'm assuming you're making a living doing something else and what you want to do is write, yes? And you're hoping to use Writing for Adult Publications as a way to learn a few lessons about writing, and the discipline of writing to deadline and practice, practice, practice, yes? If that is the case, then, if you are lucky enough to get an assignment, take whatever they're offering you. When you get to the point that you're either making your living writing or you're about to make that leap or you've got more work than you can handle, then you can start prioritizing clients and the ones who pay you the most, or offer the most exposure, or are the most fun to write for, they become the priority and you thank the others for their time. And by then, you'll know what a good rate is for you and what jobs you can afford to take, etc. Early on, with no experience, you can afford to take whatever assignment you're offered.

On the other hand, if you're doing it JUST FOR THE MONEY ... well, don't. Don't do it for the money. Wait tables or stuff envelopes or tutor or something. Babysitting's a good supplemental gig if you've got the temperment, I think.

Seriously.

Okay, I gotta get back to work, so that's it for the day.

I should probably do a formal FAQ page at some point, but I just answered an email this morning that I get in some form or other maybe once or twice a week. (The first two questions came from the same person, the others are culled together from multiple authors.)

So here you go:

//Do you actually do the translations for the manga you write? Or do you take literal translations and make them flow better...?//

The latter. Sadly, I don't read either Japanese or Korean.

I'm tempted to say there's more to it than just making the dialogue "flow better," but the truth is it varies from property to property and, honestly, I think it's just ego talking.

//What kind of education/experience did you get to have the neat job that you have?//

I'm glad you think my job is neat. I do, too.

I have a theater degree, and I like to think my experience as an actor trained my ear for dialogue, in addition to crushing my spirit and liberating me from the shackles of self-esteem.

Previous to my first adaptation job, I had probably two or three years experience writing professionally in some capacity or other [read: largely writing for dirty magazines to supplement my income from half-dozen other jobs] which included a tiny bit of comics journalism and some review work.

I also assisted novelists (including Maggie Estep) with research, which was fun and invaluable as a peak behind the curtain.

Like anything else, who you know matters. I got my first adaption gig (Demon Diary) thanks to Jamie Rich, with a little help from Neil Gaiman and Warren Ellis. I am eternally in the debt of all three. Seriously. I would help them move couches up stairs if they asked.

Work begets work, and Demon Diary led to several other books (Girl Got Game, Sensual Phrase, Kare First Love and a few other titles that have yet to be announced), as well as a SLAYERS novelization that is, at this very moment, soundly kicking my ass. I'm learning though. Progress, not perfection and all that rot.

//What advice would you give someone who was interested in working in manga/writing comics/writing?//

working in manga

Oh hell, I don't know. I'm so sorry. I think of myself as a writer, not a manga specialist. There are experts on manga out there. Lots of them. Most of them scare the hell out of me, truth be told. Advice? Read manga, I guess. Have high standards and strong opinions. It's okay if you don't like books that everybody else likes. Practically speaking, you should probably check for job postings on the Viz and Tokyopop sites.

writing comics

I kind of suck at writing comics so far. You should maybe ask someone else.

Random thoughts and suggestions, though: Read as many comics scripts as you can get your hands on. Make mini-comics. My husband, who actually writes comics quite well, suggests David Mamet's book ON DIRECTING FILM to aspiring comics creators. (I never finished reading it, but don't tell him that.) Read good comics.

writing

Again, I'm not sure I feel qualified to give advice. My work habits are not as evolved as I'd like them to be. My practice, I guess. The art part. Generally speaking, though: write. If you can't get over your own perfectionism -- which is a huge, ugly problem for me so I feel your pain -- get yourself obligated to somebody. Write for your neighborhood newsletter, write for sex magazines, write for websites, write for plumbing industry publications. Write for free. Don't be a prima donna.

On the business end of it, get yourself in with good editors and TRUST THEM. Bake them cookies, and thank them for taking the time to read your crap and help make it less crappy. If you get a chance to work with Eric Searleman (Viz) or Gina Kauffman (Freelance/Heeb/The Pitch) JUMP AT IT. They will make you better and you will love them for it.

Meet your deadlines and try very hard not to make an ass of yourself in public.

//What's your favorite manga?//

To work on? Probably Sensual Phrase. To read? I don't know. My favorite manga creator hands down, though, is Taiyo Matsumoto. He breaks my heart.

//What's on your iPod?//

I don't understand why anyone would ask me this question, but I've gotten it a few times so here you go: a few books on tape, some classical music, some French music (I can't listen to music with English lyrics while I write) and bunch of other stuff that would embarrass us both.

//I want to dye my hair an unnatural shade. What do you use?//

I have my roots bleached professionally at an Aveda salon and then I go home and apply a mixture of 3 parts Special Effects Cherry Bomb and 1 part Blood Red. I put on two shower cap-type bonnets, a thin plastic one and then one that makes my head look like a Jiffy Pop pan. I sleep in the dye for 5 to 8 hours. It is very, very sexy. Then I wash it out and Voila! I am, um, memorable, at least. Karon Flage, Laurenn McCubbin and the girls at S&S&P hooked me up with hair tips.

I buy my dye from Amphigory.com. They're nice.

//=^-^=;;//

...what?

In the meantime: Smarty Jones

April 8th – 13th, I’ll be sequestered in Houston, trying desperately to get caught up before deadlines fall like guillotines.

I will not be on the e-mail.

I know. I'll miss you, too.

Thank you for understanding, Ellis.

I am a powerful woman. Not very big, but strong, and more importantly: pushy — or if you prefer, “assertive.” Give me a hard time and I will get “assertive” all upside your smart mouth, Punk, and I promise you won’t walk right for a week.

I do not fear confrontation, nor embarrass easily, and with practice, I’m growing passably adept at that “honesty, openness and willingness” business they tell me pays off in spiritual growth, fulfillment and happy-happy whatnot.

Yet, despite having focused this formidable arsenal of emotional weaponry with laser-like precision against a single foe, I realize this very morning that I have failed at my task. Somehow, in the face of my own best efforts, I have managed to become my mother.

Things the Previous Owners of Our New Home Left Behind*:

some potted plants
a coin from Ghana (floor)
a plastic pig bath toy (windowsill)
a bottle of dog shampoo (cabinet)
forty-four cents in spare change (floor; mostly pennies)
Q-tips (scattered on the floor in various rooms - maybe cat toys...?)
a litter box full of litter (closet)
a dirty plate (windowsill)
three black raven wall-hooks
a decorative wreath
a broken hamper
a bowling ball (garden)
a pack of gum
a soap dish
a damp bath towel
a water pitcher (propping open a window)
a mysterious pile of grass seed and mouse poop (diningroom floor)
lots a lots and lots of wall hooks (EVERYWHERE)

* Okay, I'm poking fun here, but honest and true: I do so with affection. Like Cory and Erin, the previous owners of our home are very nice people and they had to leave in a hurry**, so, you know, stuff got left. Not a big deal - we love the bath pig! But c'mon. It's funny. Especially the catbox.

** The dad was starting a new job in another state. I made it sound like the law was after them or something. The law was not after them ... that we know of.

We're out of cereal, so this morning I opened up a bottle of yogurt smoothie for breakfast. The expiration date on the label was "APR 7" but apparently, that was just a guess.

Pease join Aveda on the Plaza and Walk for the Earth
on Sunday, April 4th at 9:30 a.m. Funds raised will benefit
Midwest Green Energy Project, helping to find ways to
utilize wind and solar energy. Participants may call or
pick up an entry form at Aveda. Volunteers needed!

Yesterday morning I got up at the buttcrack of dawn in order to go to the Plaza to participate in the Walk for the Earth. I expected to have problems parking and considered getting Fraction up to drop me off.

You knew this already, but let me restate: I am an idiot.

There was NO ONE on the plaza when I got there. Parking lot? Empty. I went by the Aveda store, found it dark. I ran to get coffee, went back ... still dark.

"Maybe the walk was yesterday...?"

Finally, Cory and Erin -- the two girls from Aveda -- showed up and we went on our Walk for the Earth. The three of us. Around the Plaza. We walked. For, like, 20-25 minutes.

THREE OF US. TWO EMPLOYEES WHO HAD TO BE THERE and ME. 20 MINUTES. 5K? More like FIVE BLOCKS. WHAT THE HELL DID THEY NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR??

Cory and Erin were nice young girls, but seriously: weep for the Earth.

I couldn't find a book on Cottage Gardening at the store and I'm far too impatient to order one right now, so I settled on the Better Homes and Gardens Yard & Garden Owners Manual. It's awesome and I love it. I'm vaguely embarrassed by that, but what the hell.

Matt Fraction: You look very sad...?

Kelly Sue: Dinosaur foot porn.

Matt Fraction: Oh. Yeah. I saw that.

Kelly Sue: ...

Matt Fraction: I'm gonna go put some sugar in this lemonade.

Kelly Sue: Okay.

New issue here. This one's my favorite. How cute is Karen Stockton??

I am so tempted to spend the next half hour building my Knitter's Geek Code.

Must. Be. Productive.

Thanks, Fraction.